Annan had heard similar words many times before, but this time they came from the Deputy Chief Judge of the Empire's Judgment Hall.
"I accept your terms."
Besides, Annan wanted to know what was going on in the North.
The Deputy Chief Judge seemed unsurprised by his answer. He summoned Gandhi. "Bring the body here."
"I'm coming with you."
Annan went along.
This was usually the point in a story when something went wrong: the body vanished, or criminals snatched it away... Annan had no desire to waste more effort finding it again.
The Deputy Chief Judge watched them leave, silently turning over Annan's words: "When you gaze into the Abyss, the Abyss gazes back at you."
Before long, Annan and Gandhi carried the body over.
The Deputy Warden rose, and Gandhi helped him over to the corpse.
Baron Kelly had been gaunt even in life. After only a few dozen minutes dead, he looked as though he had been dead for days.
The Deputy Chief Judge held the judgment document against the gaping hole in the baron's chest. Once again, Annan felt a power surge forth that stirred the Divinity of the Magic Vortex.
Crack—
A faint sound, like a chain snapping. The Deputy Chief Judge withdrew the document.
"The prisoner is yours. But you must make him tell you everything he knows, and he can never appear under this identity again."
"Don't worry. I'll make Gold Carey tell me how old he was the last time he wet the bed."
"Gold Carey?"
"His new name." Annan took a Wheelchair from his Magic Ring, lifted the baron into it, and headed for the Carriage.
Gandhi watched Annan walk away.
"Deputy Warden, you seem to trust Annan Reeves."
"Don't you?"
Gandhi said, "I just think that a man who rules