“I did not meet with the colonel. I said I retrieved the letter from his desk,” Rezkin stated. He looked back at the general and remarked, “You really must improve the security at Fort Maneske. It was disturbingly easy to break in, go about my business, and leave. I barely had to try.”

“You stole it?” The general gasped. “Stealing the king’s correspondence is an act of treason! Yet … yet, you sit here calmly as if it is nothing more than another errand.”

Rezkin shrugged. “What are you going to do about it?”

The general’s jaw dropped. “Well, I will tell the king. I will have you arrested!”

“Let us dispense with the bluster, General,” Rezkin replied. “Neither you nor the lieutenant will be making any attempts to arrest me. Even if you succeeded, which you would not, you could be tried for failing to comply with the authority of a Sword Bearer, among other crimes.”

After allowing them a moment to contemplate the statement, Rezkin continued. “Aside from your own safety, you also fear for the safety of the king. Already, a part of your mind is wondering what fate could befall the king should he find out about me and the conspiracy in which I am involved, assuming a traitor is in the palace. No, General, you will not arrest me, and you will not inform the king of my existence. In fact, you will speak of me to no one except in the sense that I have been a guest in your home as your niece’s friend.”

The general was quiet as he considered the young man’s words. Marcum was a riot of emotions. He was furious that this insolent young man would dare to give him orders, that he would finagle his way into the general’s own home, that he would dare to bring his niece into this mess.

Lieutenant Jimson cleared his throat, “Rezkin, I have a question, if I may.”

The young warrior’s demeanor relaxed slightly as he turned his immediate attention to the lieutenant. “Of course, Lieutenant, you may ask anything.”

Jimson released a breath and asked, “If you were able to retrieve the letter to the seneschal from the colonel’s office, then were you not also able to intercept the one addressed to the general?” This caught the general’s attention. He had been so wrapped up in his anger that he had not considered that small detail.

“Of course. I had already read the letter and knew you were carrying it. It was never my intention to conceal my identity from the general for long. I had hoped to get to know you personally, General, before you became aware of my status,” Rezkin replied directing his response at both of them.

“Why?” General Marcum huffed.