That second, Anke froze.
He stared at Thales blankly.
"His Majesty will be very pleased, very pleased..."
The Western Desert person muttered distractedly as he turned his head away.
"Is that so, is that so..."
Thales furrowed his brows.
"You know, this morning Jann submitted to my father. He cut a big chunk of flesh from himself and then ran back to Emerald City—like it was all planned."
"What's in it for him?"
Thales stared intently at Anke:
"What's in it for you to make this big news with Jann Kevendill and his Southern Shore Territory?"
"Just to embarrass me? And then watch as you're executed?"
Anke remained lost in thought, silent for a long time.
"Anke?"
Thales had no choice but to raise his voice.
Baylar snapped back to reality, trembling slightly.
He looked at Thales blankly, his lips quivering, hesitant to speak.
"Do you know, Your Highness," Anke finally spoke after a few seconds, his words unrelated to Thales's question:
