The guards still fighting back fell into disarray. Francois seized the chance to shout, "Your prince has fled! Surrender and you'll live!"
They were loyal enough, hailing from knightly families or mage families, but the sight left them stunned. They stood by as the mages pursued the fleeing enemy out of Starer City.
The Kingdom's soldiers, who might still have caused Starer City trouble, lost all will to fight when their commander ran.
Francois looked down at the knights gathered by the City Wall, their expressions conflicted. "Surrender. Your enemies should be the Ratfolk and demons."
"The prince is a coward, but we will never betray the Kingdom!" one knight shouted.
Francois ignored him and tossed down a dossier.
"These are the targets the McKennan Ratfolk will attack next. Let's see whether your loyalty lies with the Royal Family or with this country."
Jones took the dossier his subordinate retrieved. After leafing through a few pages, he seemed to make up his mind. He turned and led the others away.
Three days later, word came from the Kingdom's border: the Green Rose Knights' Order had fought a band of Elite Ratfolk attacking a major border town, and neither side had survived.
Francois held the battle report and remained in the house for a long time. At last, a piece of good news drew him out: the fleeing prince had been caught.
He went to the Starer City Dungeon. The prince, who by family ties was the young King's uncle, sat in a cell. Days on the run had left him dusty and bedraggled.
He glared at Francois outside the cell. "Free City man, I demand treatment befitting a noble!"
"A noble?" Francois shook his head. "There are no nobles in Free City's dungeon. Only prisoners."
The prince's face darkened. He