“You also took down two of these men with your daggers,” Rezkin said, pointing at the two bodies in question. “You have had combat training.”

“A bit, Master. Rom and Carduk been teachin’ me,” Benni replied.

“Where is this Carduk?” Rezkin asked.

“He’s out on a mission,” Benni said quickly. “The Master … uh … Martius sent ’im out two days ago. He’s s’posed to return tomorrow.”

“Is this Carduk going to be a problem?” Rezkin asked, the hardness returning to his voice.

“No, Master,” Rom interrupted. “We’ll explain things to ’im. He’s a smart man. He’ll understand.”

“See that he does,” Rezkin ordered. “You and Carduck are to begin training Attica in combat.” Rezkin cocked his head thoughtfully and then said to Attica, “I will also be sending someone else to train you in the sword. Begin gathering the members who were not a part of this resistance and familiarize yourselves with the guild business. I will return tomorrow, and you will inform me of any problems you cannot handle. Benni, you are with me tonight.”

Attica’s brows rose and a thought occurred to her as to why the frightful invader had not seemed to notice her feminine attributes. She knew she was not a beautiful woman, but she had received enough looks from men to know they found her form appealing. Benni’s face paled, and he appeared to have forgotten how to move his feet. It was obvious he had no desire for the advances of another man, even if that man was one of the most enticing men Attica had ever seen. Rom looked at the young man sympathetically, and Kendt would not meet the boy’s fear filled eyes.

“M-Master?” Benni asked with a whimper.

“Bring whatever gear you require,” Rezkin stated as he turned toward the open doorway, oblivious to the assumptions the group had made about his intentions. “I will be evaluating your Stealth Skills,” he said as he disappeared into the common room.

Benni’s breath left him in a whoosh, and Rom and Kendt chuckled as they released the tension that had built up over the last … half mark. Only half a mark had passed since the invader entered their sanctuary? Benni laughed a little with the other men, but Attica was rattled. The stranger had come in almost on a whim and quite literally decapitated the guild. Now, she was at its head with absolutely no idea how to run a major thieves’ guild, and she feared it was only a matter of time before her head rolled like the rest. Maybe if she proved her loyalty, she would not end up lining the riverbank with the other corpses.