Had something gone wrong?
But Dade said she had received a letter from Irilanze only a few days ago. Family matters had delayed her, so she would return later than planned.
Relieved, Annan headed straight for the station.
On the way, Annan had prepared himself to tell Black Mole the truth. But when Black Mole emerged from underground, covered in dirt and looking so hopeful, Annan suddenly couldn't bear to say, "The Ratfolk Elder is dead."
Olmedo's guess had been right. That approach did work on Annan.
It hadn't worked earlier only because Annan had thought of the same thing, then beaten her to it.
Black Mole was still hopping around. "Did Uncle send you? What did he say?"
"Your uncle said... he's busy, so you should have fun in Free City."
Annan decided to tell a kindly lie. Children were easily distracted once they started playing.
"Can I go see him?" But Black Mole missed his uncle.
"Don't delay your uncle's moneymaking!"
In the end, Annan didn't tell Black Mole the truth. He told only Maria and Gale.
"Gale, could you and Black Mole take over the Ratfolk Elder's duties?"
"Impossible..."
Gale shook her head. She was a Greyfur Rat, yes, but only a Greyfur Rat noble with no official position. The fact that the Ratfolk Elder had sent her to seduce Annan said it all. If Gale had held a higher position, the Ratfolk Elder would have done the seducing himself.
There was no need to ask Maria, either. Making a Brownfur Rat the Ratfolk Elder would be like making a Goblin one of the Thirteen High Kings. Not even a madman would do it.
As for Black Mole... the ratfolk did have hereditary positions, but he wasn't even a ratfolk.
With the Ratfolk Elder dead, the