The Knight Captain returned and gave Annan a strange, sorrowful look. In a low voice they could all hear, he said, "The Grand Commander's armor and the knights' armor are gone..."
"What armor?" Annan sounded as surprised as if he knew nothing about it.
The Chief Mage said, almost to himself, "They were your spoils of war. You had every right to take them."
"But Galt's armor was made by his family. Whoever took it may run into some trouble..."
"What a despicable thief."
Annan's cheeks grew warm, but five thousand gold coins were at stake.
The Chief Mage studied Annan for a long moment, then let the matter drop. "There are still some people missing..."
"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss."
Annan's expression turned serious. "While clearing the battlefield, we found five gravely wounded knights. Star-Moon Bay is treating them for now. Also, when the Scouts you left in Star-Moon Bay heard of the Grand Commander's death, they went on a rampage and slaughtered my people. They'll stand trial tomorrow at noon in Star-Moon Bay's square."
"Will you attend, sir?"
Annan, Mr. Swaro, and the guards returned to Star-Moon Bay without incident.
After hearing Annan's account, Ingrid asked him, "Why didn't you demand compensation from them?"
"I would have, if Grand Commander Galt hadn't died here." Even Annan regretted Galt's death, let alone the knights of his Knights' Order.
Annan told the captain of the Personal Guards to watch the knightly order's movements, then headed to Copperbeard's Blacksmith Shop. Copperbeard was nowhere in sight. Parker, who was apprenticing there, was carefully wiping down Galt's Dark-Gold Lion-Pattern Armor.
"Lord Annan, Copperbeard asked me whether you wanted to put the armor on display."
Annan thought of Katarina's room full of strange things and shook his head. "No... I don't