"Bola... was right." Kandin made his decision.
Annan nodded. He had no intention of killing Lulu. Instead, he pointed at Kandin and Black Pearl. "Eat them."
Black Pearl had never eaten a Greyfur Rat. Their meat probably didn't taste like the revolting excrement Brownfur Rats did... but her childhood trauma had left her averse to every rat-shaped creature.
During Black Dragon's hesitation, Kandin shrieked, "Lulu was right too! None of us lied to you!"
"Explain yourself. I'm not a Ratfolk you can fool so easily."
To save his life, Kandin told him everything: the tunnel had already reached the Empire. The first Rat Swarm had crossed over and begun its mission, while the second would wait until winter.
"What is the first Rat Swarm doing?"
"Infiltrating and corrupting..."
"On your own?"
"With Stuen and that demon thing. We have other allies too..."
"Hmm... Looks like you've all told the truth, but only half of it." Annan's gaze shifted away from Kandin. "Should I meet you halfway too? Beat your upper halves to death and set your lower halves free?"
Bola reacted first, pleading, "Lord Annan, I'll join Free City! I'll work for you!"
"And you two?"
Kandin and Lulu hurried to agree. Their Ratfolk instincts for self-preservation and selfishness won out.
Annan nodded, picked up the Magic Stone from Black Pearl's claw and replayed the recording in front of the three Greyfur Rats.
They watched, ashen-faced, as their recorded selves betrayed the Clan and fawned over Annan with declarations of loyalty. None of them spoke again.
"I know your names now. Bola, Kandin, and... Lulu?" Why do all these Greyfur Rats have names like that? Even the Brownfur Rats have better ones. Is it a Greyfur Rat custom?
"Don't worry. I'll keep my promise and let you go. I won't