After the Victory Parade, Annan ended his brief visit and took Free City drifting west.
He was not returning to Gem Bay. He would continue west to the West Coast, then head north to meet Count Ulmit.
"Paige... may I call you that?"
Sunlight streamed through the Study window. Annan sat behind the desk, haloed in its soft glow. Lily sprawled across his lap like a ball of tricolored fluff.
Summoned back from the freedom of the open sea, the Red Witch asked warily, "Do you want to sleep with me, or use me?"
"Uh..."
"If it's the first, anytime. If it's the second, the Red Pirates will never be slaves!"
Annan smiled through the Red Witch's defiance. "Did you know I just killed a Legendary Red Dragon Sorcerer in the North?"
The Red Witch slammed her hand onto the Redwood Table and glared at Annan. "I'll show our enemies what I can do..." she said, each word deliberate.
Annan nodded, satisfied. "Go find Deputy City Lord Olmedo. She'll tell you what to do."
The Red Witch left. Annan opened his list. Next was Dragon-Taming Boy Elder...
Just then, Lily struggled free of his lap, leaped onto the windowsill, and vanished outside.
Before Annan could react, Cathy came running down the corridor, calling, "Annan, Annan! I have a question!"
Though two green schoolbags weighed her down, Cathy still bounced around the desk and squeezed in beside Annan.
"I'm busy. Go ask your Aunt Leila." Annan had never said those words with such conviction.
"Aunt Leila went fishing on the mountain." Cathy blinked at him. "I have a friend who wants to share some candy with her friends. She said if I divide the candy into three portions, each portion has twelve more pieces than if I divide it into four..."