Annan, Idelia, and Olmedo drew up a detailed plan: Annan would use Portals to jump between Towns, then bring the Musketeer Corps to him through them.
That way, the musketeers would not slow Annan down or delay his rescue of Princess Sails. They would have reinforcements close at hand and would not have to worry about being surrounded.
The three companies setting out were the Guard, Hellfire, and the as-yet-unnamed Third Squad.
The Cavalry soldiers were eager to win glory for the Third Squad on this expedition. The latest issue of Voice of Freedom went on sale that Monday, the day they departed.
On the eve of their departure, Annan gave a brief speech.
He did not hide their mission from the soldiers. They were going to save one person.
"We'll be separated. We'll suffer losses and pain. Hundreds of us may die, all to save one person..."
The Cavalry soldiers in the Square voiced no complaints. They only wanted to carry out the mission.
In Olmedo's eyes, they had acquired the conviction soldiers needed: resolve.
After the speech, everyone came forward to say goodbye to Annan.
Copperbeard rolled up like a beer barrel. "You could visit my clan's home. Dwarf girls are good girls—honest, kind, without a mean bone in their bodies."
Annan trusted the Dwarves' character. "I'm not like other Sorcerers." For once, he could say it with complete confidence.
"Besides, the Black Iron Mountains have already..."
"They're fine. No one can find us in a Dwarf's home. Not even the Ratfolk." Copperbeard sounded certain.
The Black Iron Mountains were not on Annan's route, but if Copperbeard's clanmates were still alive there, he could bring them back.
Copperbeard told him how to enter the Secret Passage and gave him the secret signal that would put the Dwarves at