As Annan and the Imperial Minister talked with growing enthusiasm, Black Pearl suddenly felt the humiliation of having Annan stolen from her. Her ratfolk eyes narrowed into sharp dragon pupils.
Hmm?
The Imperial Minister sensed something and looked back, but all he saw was the little black dragon following obediently behind them.
"You're a Legendary Warrior. How did you end up as the Imperial Minister?"
"If you don't let a Warrior oversee the Empire's military affairs, who would you put in charge? A Bard?"
"You're right."
At first, Annan had thought there was little to discuss with a rigid, stubborn bureaucrat. But the Imperial Minister seemed to know about everything and was willing to talk about it. He was nothing like those officials who would regulate the distance between your footsteps if they could.
Annan learned quite a bit from the Imperial Minister's experience and was glad he had brought him along.
Whether Black Pearl felt the same was another matter. She probably, perhaps, maybe... no, she definitely hated the Imperial Minister.
With Greyfur Rat leading them and Felstone in their cart, Annan's group moved freely through the tree tunnels disguised as a ratfolk squad. Even when they encountered other Greyfur Rats underground, no one stopped to inspect them.
Annan had initially worried that the Imperial Minister would refuse to stoop to the role or fail to hide his feelings. Instead, the man played a ratfolk better than Annan did.
But as they ventured deeper, possibly passing beneath the Northern Great Wall overhead, the Imperial Minister's worsening mood cast a pall over the group.
"Stop right there!"
A shrill screech came from ahead. A Greyfur Rat and a squad of Elite Rats blocked the fork in the tunnel.
They could have gone around, but the Greyfur Rat had already spotted