“Not as far as I am aware. I have no idea who he is, so I could not say for sure. I have dealings with people all over the kingdom, as is my job as general of the army. This slip said the Raven decreed that he would take care of me himself, if necessary, and that the Black Hall was to accept no contracts against me or my family,” Marcum informed them with a pointed look at his wife and niece. “But, after the Raven left the Black Hall, the slips received just such a request.”

Now, that was news to Rezkin. He had just spoken with the grandmaster about the general and then someone suddenly showed up with a kill order. Impeccable timing.

Marcum continued. “The slip was here to warn me about the hit.”

“What? Why would they do that?” Adelina gasped.

“He said the Black Hall did not want to anger the Raven. Since they could not get in contact with him so quickly, the grandmaster made the decision to break with tradition and warn the intended target—me—that someone was trying to have me killed. The slip said it was to show the Raven that they were attempting, in good faith, to abide by his wishes, even if it meant overstepping by warning me.”

Going so far was to warn the general was a surprising response from the guild with regard to Rezkin’s directive not to harm Marcum and his family. Rezkin told the guild he had business with the general and would take care of the man himself simply because he did not want them thinking he had a personal interest in the general’s welfare when he told them not to assassinate the man. Rezkin preferred to reserve assassinations for those who were deserving of it, and although the general hated Rezkin, Marcum was still a good man and a great general. The young warrior also wanted to protect Frisha from the potential heartache of something untoward happening to her beloved aunt and uncle.

“You are saying that this Raven even has the Black Hall quaking in their boots?” Jimson inquired incredulously.

Marcum nodded once. “Yes. In fact, the slip called him Riel’gesh. If they have truly declared the man Riel’gesh, then everyone is in serious danger.”

“Why? What’s Riel’gesh?” Tam asked with more enthusiasm than the circumstances warranted.

“Riel’gesh means giver of life,” Marcum stated.

“Oh, well, that doesn’t sound too bad,” Frisha commented.

Marcum shook his head. “You have to remember, Frisha, this is a title issued by assassins. It means they believe this new leader is indomitable. They believe that no one can defeat him. He is so skilled and deadly that he can afford to allow his enemies to live. He has the ultimate power to grant life where others would require death, solely because he has no reason to fear. He is practically a god in their eyes.”