Elf Guard

Annan had no servants, no Guards, not even a place to live.

But the people of Breeze City understood that kind of destitution. Their first lord had once stumbled through Ferren Swamp in a sorry state.

One of the Twelve Kings of the North falling from glory, then reclaiming it, fit their idea of a story about revenge.

Now Annan lived in a mansion owned by Lady Fine Wine, was cared for by her Maids, and accepted the protection of Guards she provided.

It reminded him of Augusta Olmedo's parting words.

Had they been a wise warning offered in good faith, or a scheme to plant suspicion in his heart?

Annan trusted Mr. Victor, but Mr. Victor was only Lindy's teacher, and Lindy was only Lady Fine Wine's niece.

Then he remembered what Michael had said: what mattered wasn't what someone said, but what they did.

Augusta Olmedo bore the blame for attacking the convoy. He had driven away a wealthy Noble who supported Annan, then offered nothing but a few casual words of warning. Lady Fine Wine, on the other hand, had supplied what Annan urgently needed. Like Mr. Fast and the others, she had known him from the beginning.

Annan wasn't fool enough to suspect the people around him just because someone said a few things.

The Guards Lady Fine Wine had arranged had yet to arrive, so Annan couldn't leave the estate to build his reputation.

Back in his Bedroom, Annan opened his suitcase and took out the Spider Bottle.

Realizing he had fed the little spider only once since recapturing it, he set the Spider Bottle on the table and looked up at the ceiling and into the corners. The room was spotless.

If catching bugs in the attic was like picking fleas off Martin, looking