After several leisurely days, it was finally Annan's turn to carry out his duties as deputy warden.
The Foreign Races who had rioted and resisted would be held on the Dungeon's Second Floor. But its first two levels were already packed... Under the usual procedure, the guards would release every prisoner on the First Layer, then move the Second Floor prisoners up.
Annan thought that made a mockery of Betar City's Laws. After meeting the warden and asking his opinion, Annan was given "the right to do whatever you want." He had the Dungeon guards interrogate the Second Floor prisoners through the night and dispose of the worst offenders as quickly as possible.
Prisoners guilty of the gravest crimes formed a long line before the gallows, drawing residents out to watch even if they had to wrap themselves in quilts. Those whose crimes were somewhat less severe were sent to the Mine and the Workshop. Finally, Annan paid the Dungeon guards a bonus out of his own pocket, winning their goodwill.
The Dungeon's Second Floor was cleared without a hitch. Betar City's residents praised the new warden for doing his duty, while the warden himself declared that Annan would be his successor. The Bard offered the restrained praise that Annan had improved Betar City's public safety by more than ten percent. Daniel put it more bluntly: when Annan arrived, crime disappeared.
With Lady Deepwinter's protection, Annan could do as he pleased so long as he did not touch Betar City's core interests. He had far more freedom here than in Breeze City.
That evening, the day the Dungeon was cleared, a group of Mercenaries escorted in dozens of Foreign Races. There were lame centaurs, Elves with slashed faces, Lizardfolk and Orcs with their teeth broken off, Dwarves whose beards had