The general’s office was secured with a mage lock, but Rezkin knew ways around those. The key was not to break the locks, but to simply bypass them altogether. Rezkin had read the general’s correspondence prior to its delivery and then confirmed the participation of the young Lord Brandt. After corroborating the list of individuals with whom he would be journeying, Rezkin had gone to the river to make arrangements for the ship. It took little effort once he got there since he had already forged the documents in the general’s hand.

Rezkin ducked into the Mage District after leaving the docks to deliver the second set of forged documents to the Mage Relay Station. Once he received confirmation of the reservations, Rezkin found himself back at the Marcum estate in time to train with Tam and exercise Pride before Reaylin’s visit. It was surprising how quickly arrangements could be made when people received instructions from the general of the army of Ashai.

Rezkin wanted the general to know that he would always be a step ahead of the man, but he had made all of the arrangements only in part to make his point. By making the arrangements himself, Rezkin had the power to select the vessel, personnel, and accommodations of his choosing. Over the last few days, Rezkin had already been researching the various vessels and their captains and personnel, so he was already prepared when the time came to make arrangements. The final reason was simply because Rezkin was tired of waiting. He wanted to be gone from the general’s home, and his other business was almost concluded.

“Captain Jimson, confirm those reservations,” the general ordered distractedly. General Marcum was once again furious with the presumptuous young man who was staying as a guest in his home. How Rezkin had gotten his information in such a short amount of time was beyond him. The fact that all of the reservations had been made already was nothing short of sorcery.

Marcum now knew exactly what he must do. He would find out who Rezkin truly was, and if he was really Bordran’s man. Marcum would make contact with his source while the young man was away at the tournament and hopefully have some answers by the time of his return. It was perhaps the riskiest venture in the general’s long career to involve this particular source. If the source turned out to be opposed to Rezkin, it would be like two wildfires meeting with Ashai in the center. They may snuff each other out, but everyone and everything caught between them would be destroyed. Maker forbid the two find common ground and become one.