[Beautiful Miss Quartermaster:
The moment I first saw you, I felt something strange, as though we had known each other for years.
Sadly, the officials watched our every move at the banquet. I had no chance to speak with you, or even learn your name. But your image has stayed with me... I cannot help wanting to share so many stories with you. Life among the foreign races in Free City, the football festival...
I also want to tell you what I have seen since coming to the Great Wall, but there is not enough room in a letter.
Because I must remain stationed at the Great Wall in the North, I cannot leave freely. I hope you can come here so we can talk...
—Annan Levis, July 30, at the Great Wall in the North]
"What does this mean?" Olin looked up from the letter at the unfamiliar woman who had knocked on her office door.
"Annan wrote it to me," the quartermaster said.
"I mean..." Olin set down the letter. "Why show it to me?"
"There are rumors that you and Annan are..."
"We're just friends." Olin cut her off, then realized how unconvincing that sounded. "Annan is closer to the Old Ancestor."
"Then this letter..." The quartermaster looked torn.
"You don't need to consider me. Do what you want."
"I understand. Thank you, Lady Olin." The quartermaster took back the letter.
Not wanting to see Annan charm too many women, Olin warned her, "Annan probably didn't ask you there just to chat. He likely needs your help with something..."
"All right."
The quartermaster left the Knights' Order Headquarters and returned to her residence.
She stared blankly at the poster on her bedroom wall. Annan reached out from it, with "I need you" printed along the bottom. She