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standingacross the circle. “He’s got scars because he’s been cut. I have none because I have not. Tell me who the better Swordsman is.” He said this loud enough that much of the crowd heard him.
    â€œAh,” said Bedeckt, “but he stands among a gathering of his believers . . . whereas no one here has heard of you.”
    â€œSoon he’ll lie dead and they will have heard of me.” Wichtig pouted at Bedeckt. “I do so appreciate these pep talks. They help focus my attention. First I win the crowd. Then I win the fight.”
    â€œYou seem awfully sure of yourself.”
    â€œI am.”
    The sad thing was Bedeckt had seen enough of these fights to accept the fact that Wichtig had at least some reason for that confidence.
    The scarred Swordsman strode to the center of the clearing and stood with hands on hips. He called out to Wichtig so all the crowd could hear. “You can’t beat me. In this city everyone knows I am the most dangerous man alive with a blade.”
    Wichtig winked at an attractive young lady. His voice rang out deep and resonant and sure. “Ah yes, but there are a hundred cities in a dozen city-states where everyone knows I am the Greatest Swordsman alive.” He flashed a dazzling smile at the audience. “Sure, a couple of people in this lovely little town—what’s this place called, Bedeckt?”
    â€œUnbrauchbar.”
    â€œIn this shite-hole have heard of you—what’s his name, Bedeckt?”
    â€œHow the hells should I know.”
    â€œWhatever your name is—”
    â€œVollk Urzschluss.”
    â€œâ€”they’ve heard of you here. But I have traveled far and wide and killed a great many would-be World’s Greatest Swordsmen. And I’ve never heard of you. Sadly, I don’t think you’re even in the top one hundred.”
    Bedeckt watched Vollk dart glances at the crowd, trying to measure their reaction. Skill with a blade mattered little in the face of the belief of a tightly packed mob.
    â€œThose cities are far away,” said Vollk. “Their beliefs matter little here.”
    â€œYes, yes. I’ve read the books.”
    Bedeckt rolled his eyes. Wichtig loved to repeat things smarter, more educated people had said as if they were his own words.
    Wichtig continued, pontificating to the crowd. “You forget, however, to factor in the numbers involved and the depth of their faith. If I may quote the Geborene Damonen: ‘if enough people believe strongly enough, they can change the world entire.’” Wichtig smirked cockily. “I know I am the Greatest Swordsman in the World. Hundreds of thousands of people know I am the Greatest Swordsman in the World. Soon all of this shite-hole will know I am the Greatest Swordsman in the World. You, my friend, will sadly not live to see that day. Such is the fate of stepping-stones.”
    Bedeckt wondered where Wichtig had heard that line.
    Vollk glared at Wichtig, looking bewildered. “I’m no stone. Though . . . though I am as tough as one. As strong. You are all talk.”
    Wichtig bowed to the gathered crowd with a confident flourish. He was, Bedeckt saw, winning them over; they were almost his. Wichtig leered at Vollk. “You think you are the best. I am the best. You thought with the crowd’s faith you could beat me. Now . . . even you know better.” He drew his sword and sketched a flourished bow. “Shall we?”
    Ten seconds later Vollk Urzschluss lay in the dust bubbling blood from a sucking chest wound. Wichtig stood with his back to the downed Swordsman, basking in the crowd’s applause.
    Bedeckt watched Vollk’s fingers clutch at the dirt, eyes rolling in fear as he struggled to draw breath into lungs filling withblood. “Wichtig, this is a slow and ugly death you leave him. Why not finish him?”
    Wichtig patted Bedeckt on the back. “Seeing the man die slowly helps solidify