"That's not what I meant..."
Glancing at Olin's calm face, the organizer stepped aside, his scalp prickling. "Just please... don't cause trouble at the banquet."
"Do I look like someone who doesn't follow the rules?" Annan muttered, letting go of Olin as he entered the banquet.
The Banquet Hall had been buzzing with conversation and clinking glasses. As Annan walked in, it quieted bit by bit, as though a professor had appeared outside Cathy's classroom, until an eerie silence took hold.
"It's fine now. Stay away from me."
Annan left Olin's side to keep her from getting caught up in this, then headed toward a familiar face.
"Hey, York. Didn't expect to run into you here." Annan greeted a nobleman he had visited just two days earlier.
"I—I'm innocent..."
"I know. Anyone with something to hide wouldn't dare come to the banquet."
Annan went on to greet several more nobles, though his greetings sounded more like threats.
Someone finally lost patience and, in a burst of courage, stepped forward to warn him. "Annan, you're showing a little too little respect for the Empire's rules..."
"I'm not from the Empire."
"This isn't your Free City!"
Annan asked, "What's your name?"
"Uh... I—I have things to do. You'd better watch yourself!" His courage doused like a flame in icy water, the man's legs went weak, and he fled Annan's side.
"Coming back for dinner?"
Annan called after him, then looked around. The nobles all avoided his gaze. Who knew whether Annan Reeves might suddenly point at one of them and accuse them of colluding with Chaos?
In truth, Annan hadn't come to the banquet to cause trouble, nor had he come for them. He had come for—
Annan walked toward a corner of the hall and addressed a portly, middle-aged man in