"When you've been together a long time, don't spend what little passion you have left on arguing. Nothing matters more than making a good life together." Annan, a chicken feather stuck to his chest, walked to the door.
"We know, we know!" the couple said excitedly, nestled together.
"All right, I'll leave you to make a baby while the mood lasts."
Annan shut the door firmly, then climbed into a carriage whose driver was willing to give him a ride.
He didn't know what was happening outside. He needed to get to Freedom Street quickly.
They hadn't gone far when the carriage slowed. The noise around them grew louder, too.
Looking out at the growing crowd, Annan asked the driver, "What's going on?"
"Mr. Annan, people from the Imperial Capital have come out on their own to stand against Chaos."
"That's the Empire for you."
It would make plenty of extra work for Olin and the City Guard, though. Who knew if the Chaos Cult was hiding in the crowd, ready to slip out... Wait. Could that be part of the plan too?
"Stop! Inspection!"
A carriage stood out amid the gathering crowd, and they were soon stopped.
Annan leaned out the window. "I—"
Before he could say more, the guard spoke respectfully. "Oh, it's Lord Annan. Please, go ahead..."
Annan had expected trouble over his earlier attempt to save the traitor Albeck. He hadn't expected the guard to be so accommodating.
The guard even tried to comfort him. "It wasn't your fault. None of us imagined Blackwatch really would..."
Annan could say nothing, so he remained silent. The guard took his expression for restraint and had his men clear a path.
Back in the carriage, Annan set the matter aside and opened the notebook Baron Kelly had left him.