"No, our turn's almost here."
Just then, the auctioneer announced, "The auction is temporarily suspended. Next is the Free Auction. Please check the list for any information you need or can provide."
Some people left the auction hall, but even more came in, their faces just as carefully concealed.
Annan and Ingrid were each handed a sheet of parchment. A quick glance showed that it was full of requests for and offers of information.
The request for "information on the Benitez Family in the Southlands" was on it too.
"I have information on the Blazing Stone."
Someone soon spoke up and huddled with the person seeking information on the Blazing Stone.
Once the first voice broke the ice, calls rang out across the auction hall.
"I know what happened to the Benitez Family in the Southlands." Annan looked up at the call and saw a cloaked figure scanning the room. He waved him over.
"What do you know?" Ingrid asked on Annan's behalf.
"The Benitez Family's convoy headed for Free City was attacked. At the same time, their estate came under attack too." The cloaked man got straight to the point.
"Who did it?"
"I don't know," the cloaked man rasped. "The local grand duke is shielding them. He has no intention of investigating."
Ingrid nodded. "What do you want?"
"Information on the Blackwatch Legion. Up to date."
Ingrid studied him for a moment, then looked at Annan.
"They were captured by the Judgment Hall and will be executed at the end of the month," Annan said. The news would appear in the Empire Times in a few days anyway.
"I have no more questions, sir." The cloaked man bowed.
"You know me?" Annan asked.
The cloaked man stayed bent at the waist. "You stand out like the moon in