Adsden looked into the swirling burgundy rose wine and considered his answer. Finally, he looked up and confirmed Rezkin’s suspicions. “Not enough to become a mage, but it is specialized. I have a small amount of skill in manipulating wards, although not enough to actually produce or break them.”

“A valuable skill for a sneak. I take it few are aware of your abilities?” Rezkin asked.

“No, it is not something I share. These two,” he said, nodding to the men by the door, “I have worked with often and are aware of my talent. A few others do, as well, but not many.”

“I may have use for your Skills as a sneak at some point,” the newcomer stated, “but right now I have more need of your education and refinement. What I am proposing for the Serpent Guild will be most successful under the leadership of an intelligent, educated man. It will be your job to make sure things are running according to plan.”

Adsden grimaced. “About that … you said you did not want us targeting respectable people. With all due respect, I find it difficult to comprehend exactly what you would find respectable.” This last he said with a noticeable glance at the body on the floor. Taking a deep breath and steadying his nerves, he forged ahead.

“You speak of honor and respectability, yet you seek to build a criminal empire and slaughter any who stand in your way. You do not act like the average thief. You have the knowledge of a businessman, the plans of a criminal mastermind, the actions of a cold-blooded killer, and the words of honor like those of a knight. In short, you are a conundrum, and I am not at all confident in my ability to predict your desires.” As he said this, he palmed a dagger from his sleeve in preparation for defending himself from reprisal for the offensive remarks.

“Your assessment is apt,” the young man stated, surprising the second. “I am many things. You can put away the dagger, but please feel free to continue holding it if it makes you feel safer. It is a false sense of security, I assure you.”

A flash of heat and excitement flooded the second at the newcomer’s unconcealed threat, and he suddenly felt the need to rise to the challenge. He did not want to be seen as weak before this young man. His voice dropped in dark defiance as he asked, “And, what if we decide to simply continue doing things as we have been?” A slight tendril of fear mixed with the excitement surging in his veins. It was a feeling to which Adsden was unaccustomed. He was typically one of the most skilled men in the room and the most intelligent, as well. This strange man’s confidence and utter lack of concern for Adsden’s actions, which would be considered hostile by any sane man, chilled Adsden to the bone.