The City Guard stormed into Saltfish Street, throwing it into chaos and nearly clashing with the gang members guarding the entrance.
Fortunately, they remembered Francois's warning not to cause trouble and let the guards through. They could not have stopped them anyway.
Flanked by his men, Spencer arrived at the big house. He spotted the group hurrying back and fixed his gaze on Francois. "You're their leader?"
"I am."
Spencer waved his men back, amusement in his voice. "You Free City People have some nerve, coming all the way to Starer City to recruit."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Francois remained calm.
"You don't?" Spencer slowly circled him. "You suddenly appeared in Starer City and started doing all this..."
"I'm just a noble passing through."
"Bullshit!" Spencer roared. The City Guards who had come with him raised their weapons.
The gang members reacted a beat late, nervously facing them down.
Spencer came back around to face Francois. "If you're not one of the Free City People, why are you handing out money and food to these civilians?"
Francois had no answer. His "good deed" was what had given him away?
Without betraying a thing, he surveyed the City Guards Spencer had brought. Their equipment was nothing special, and their worn Leather Armor showed signs of repair, but his gang members were worse off... If he struck first, he could probably keep the casualties down. The real problem was that a missing City Guard Officer would soon bring an investigation down on them.
He should have learned to disguise himself from Dina before setting out, or at least brought a few Magic Scrolls for the Transformation Spell...
Spencer mistook Francois's silence for fear. He suddenly lowered his voice. "You wouldn't want your identity exposed, would you..."
"What?"
Francois looked