After contemplating the conundrum for a few moments, Rezkin decided he understood. The masters must have arranged for him to have these weapons, and because he would not always be filling the same role or living in the same location, they simply left it blank. The fact that he owned these weapons at all was a source of confusion for him, though. There should have been additional information after his name. It should have listed some accomplishment of his or reason the king bestowed this honor upon him. The document should have explained his role or rights as a Sword Bearer, as the bearers of these weapons were known.

Anyone carrying a Sheyalin by right had to have earned some amount of trust or recognition by the king, and therefore, should have a specified amount of authority. For example, he might be authorized to act as a magistrate or carry information sealed by the crown. Rezkin’s certificate did not specify any authority. With this type of document, however, that did not automatically imply he had no authority. It could equally mean that he had every authority. Even the king could not argue successfully for one interpretation or the other.

Rezkin would have to keep this information to himself unless it became absolutely necessary to provide the documents, per Rule 123—Do not seek praise or acknowledgement and Rule 57—Remain in the shadows when possible. This latter Rule was meant both literally and figuratively, depending on the situation. Rezkin could not afford to attract undue attention to himself, lest it interfere with his purpose.

After strapping the swords to his waist, he selected several daggers, a set of throwing knives, a stiletto, a boot knife, a small crossbow and quarrels, and a recurve bow and quiver of arrows. The bow he would use mostly for hunting or shooting from horseback if he must.

Next, he went to the healer’s stores where all of the remedies and poisons were kept. Rezkin could make his own, but this would save him a lot of time and effort. He was not sure when he might have the time or supplies to make more. He packed away as much as he could along with bandages, suturing materials, and other healing necessities.

Before heading to the kitchens for food supplies, Rezkin stopped in the masters’ office. He disabled the traps on the safe and picked the lock. He collected all the gold, silver, and copper, which was much more than was safe to carry at one time, but he would find a place to hide much of it when he had a chance. A number of bank notes and account books were also in the safe, and he stowed those in his pack as well.