"You're leaving too?"
Annan looked in surprise at Rainer, who was armed for the road.
"I want to carry on my teacher's last wish and find the Sovereign..." Rainer looked down at Annan, though his expression held the respect he would show an elder. "Is anyone else doing the same?"
Annan sighed softly. "Lily left a few days ago, but she went to search for meaning in her life."
"If you see her when she returns, please apologize to her for me."
"I will."
Rainer gave Annan one last Knight's Salute and left the Garden.
Annan set aside the faint stir of emotion. Instead of returning to the Garden Cottage, he first went to the Dungeon, a place nearly as familiar as home.
He wore the Gray Robe. It should reduce the chance of being discovered by that shadow of the Rikaner Kingdom.
"Let me out!"
The Red Witch lunged at the bars. She could have snapped them with a little force, but under Mr. Swaro's Magic Runes, she had no hope of escaping.
"Let me out, boy." The Red Witch deliberately licked her lips and let her gaze drift downward. "I'll do anything..."
"Can you become a law-abiding citizen of Free City, train sailors, and maintain trade through Obiris Strait?"
"No!"
"Then you can stay locked up."
Annan turned and left the Dungeon, returning to the Garden Cottage.
Lucy helped him take off the Gray Robe in the Living Room. "The Princess wants to see you."
"I'll go now."
Annan missed the conflicted look in Lucy's eyes. He went down the corridor and stopped outside the Crimson Princess's Bedroom.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Come in..." came the Crimson Princess's voice.
Annan pushed the door open. It was afternoon, and soft light fell through the window just inside the doorway. He