The fighting had spilled into the campsite, the five guards unable to hold the bandits at bay. Only four of the guards were still standing, and Rezkin could not see the fifth, so he knew not if the man lived. The guards were spread in a ring around the campfire protecting Frisha and Tam, who were both holding their swords in tight grips, wide-eyed and wild. Neither seemed to notice Rezkin’s arrival, which was just as well. He did not want them doing anything senseless like abandoning the relative safety of the circle and running up to him. It seemed like something Frisha might do.

The campsite was surrounded by a dozen jeering bandits. Pride had managed to tear his reins from the branch that had had been holding him and was stomping furiously. He bit and kicked at the bandits, and after caving in one’s skull, the rest of the intruders stayed clear of the enraged battle charger.

The assailants, apparently feeling secure in their numbers, were doing little to press their advantage. They satisfied themselves with terrorizing their prey for the time being. Occasionally, one or two would engage a guard briefly before backing away again into the pack. This all changed when the lieutenant, corporal, and Rezkin arrived and started laying into them on one side of the hill. Rezkin took down four of the bandits before the others around them even noticed his presence. Even so, those on the far side had yet to notice the disruption.

After thinning the number of bandits on one side of the circle, Rezkin slipped back into the darkness to flank the mass on the other side. Bandits, mostly hidden by night, fell into their final death throws as Rezkin scythed them down. He moved like a wraith among the fallen, and few challengers had enough skill to mount even a semblance of a defense.

After he defeated the final foe, Rezkin scanned the campsite to be sure no more bandits remained hidden. He noticed a sudden stillness around him and looked up to see Lieutenant Jimson staring at his swords. The other soldiers, seeming to sense their leader’s alarm, gathered around and were now staring as well.

The lieutenant, whose eyes were riveted to the two magnificent swords, must have felt Rezkin’s eyes on him and glanced up to meet his gaze. Jimson swallowed hard and tightened the grip on his sword. The frightening warrior’s icy stare bore into him, and Lieutenant Jimson knew this was the face of death.

Noting the mounting tension, Rezkin sheathed his swords. The soldiers jumped at the sudden action. “Do you need to see my papers?” he asked in a deep, neutral tone.