“After what you have done in the past two days alone, you now lead probably the largest criminal organization in any of the capital cities. I cannot believe you would give me this much without a cost. Is it to be blackmail? Extortion? I am not the kind of man who would sell his soul to a demon to ensure his own survival.”

“That is exactly why you will live and your father will die. The only cost is that you cease looking for me. I desire anonymity and do not take kindly to threats against those under my protection.”

“You would have me look the other way while thieves, thugs, and murderers run rampant in the streets?” asked the young lord.

“Obviously not. You are a lord, soon to be head of your house. You are responsible for the welfare of your people, a people who have been largely neglected under your father’s reign. I am not asking you to turn your back on the criminals. In fact, technically, I am not a criminal at all. You said earlier that I do not have the authority to execute your father. That is not true.”

The intruder suddenly whipped his blade from its scabbard faster than Ruald could blink. He leapt to his feet as he reached for his own hilt, knocking the snifter to the floor with a crash. Just before he drew, his gaze landed on the silvery blue swirls dancing in the firelight. His eyes widened and darted back to the hidden face. Rezkin stood in stasis with his sword held out to the side allowing for an unobstructed view of the magnificent blade.

“Y-you are Sword Bearer!” he exclaimed in shock.

“It is so. I am granted my authority by the crown, and by the authority granted to me, I have the right to claim your father’s life. In addition, all my actions and those of my personnel by my command are equally lawful,” Rezkin replied.

“You are granted such authority?” Ruald questioned in awe.

“I am. You see, I do not need your compliance to carry out my affairs.”

“You were granted this great authority by the king as a position of honor and recognition, yet you use it to rule a criminal empire!” Ruald protested.

Rezkin sheathed the weapon as quickly as he had drawn it and replied, “The thieves are not aware of my status as Sword Bearer. I have commandeered the thieves’ guilds as part of a larger agenda, one I am not inclined to share with you at this time. If all goes as I have instructed, though, you will see a change in the activities of the criminal element in this city soon. I do require that you keep the fact that I am a Sword Bearer to yourself. It would not be advantageous for my personnel to think I work for the king.”