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instant of his imminent death—but he remains
incorrect, and a fool to the end.”
    Regent Jenner rose from
the table, his face turning red.
    “I will not sit here and
listen to you insult...”
    Before he had a chance to
finish his words, Malik struck the proud noble with a lightning
fast backhand that sent the thin figure spinning into the tavern's
wall. Seeing the aggressive act, Stern moved to draw his sword, but
was halted by the tip of Malik's blade which he suddenly found
pressed against his Adam's apple.
    “That sensation you're
feeling,” Malik said in a low tone. His eyes were on Stern but the
words were directed at Jenner. “It's unpleasant isn't it? Coppery
taste in your mouth. Pressure at the back of your eyes. Now imagine
feeling that exact same discomfort for an entire month at varying
degrees of intensity as you walked to an unknown destination in the
middle of nowhere to fight a battle you have nothing to do
with.”
    “Our call was for heroes,”
Jenner snapped, “for a hero it wouldn't have caused any
pain.”
    “Well that's something
you'll have to take up with King Yeti.”
    “Yadi.”
    “Whatever. I didn't ask to
be here, nevertheless here I am. That being the case, you'll do
exactly as you're told without giving me any grief. I intend to
survive this nonsense, and that requires instant obedience and no
lies. Got it? Speaking of survival, what reward am I
promised?”
    “Reward?”
    “Yeah, what does this
'hero' get for saving your sorry butt?”
    “There is no reward, only
the noble satisfaction which comes from doing the right
thing.”
    Malik snorted. “Typical,
you claim you're in dire straights, but there are already some of
you planning for the rebuild now aren't you? The heroes can die
while you wait it out, is that it?”
    Malik lowered his weapon
and sheathed it.
    “Like it or not, the call
found me. Do you contest my right to be here?”
    Stern lowered his head.
Despite his misgivings about the lean swordsman, Stern had already
seen enough to know he was no match for the man. He shook his head
slowly in the negative. Regent Jenner maintained a defiant stare,
but, like Stern, did not speak to the contrary.
    “Good, now take me outside
and show me the men I'm supposed to lead.” Malik smiled and looked
pointedly at Jenner, “Remember, I've had a long couple months, so
be nice.”

    ***

    “Here you are,” Jenner
said proudly as Stern took his place beside two rows of armored
men.
    “Twenty,” Malik
sneered.
    “Yes, this is the garrison
for this wing of the city. I can assure you they're expertly
trained.”
    “Twenty isn't
enough.”
    “But, that's all there
is.”
    “What about him?” Malik
said, pointing at an old man sitting by a small cart outside the
tavern. The cart was filled with glass bottles he was obviously
trying to sell.
    “You can't be serious,”
Jenner replied. But Malik was already heading over to address the
man.
    “You, what's your
name?”
    “Ives sir,” the man
replied.
    “Your town is about to
come under attack you realize?”
    “Yes sir.”
    “So why are you wasting
time selling bottles?”
    The old man
shrugged.
    “This is ridiculous,”
Jenner snapped, but Malik silenced him with a glare.
    “Are you willing to
fight?”
    “Yes,” the old man
said.
    “What's he going to use?”
Jenner asked.
    “Isn't there an
armory?”
    “Yes, but it's
empty.”
    “There are no weapons
anywhere?” Malik asked.
    “No.”
    Malik's eyes narrowed. He
lifted a bottle from the man's cart and smashed it against the wall
producing a jagged tip. He then handed the makeshift weapon to the
old man.
    “Here, I trust you'll find
it suitable enough to defend your homeland. Go for the throat where
the skin is thin and the arteries are thick.”
    “Yes sir,” the old man
said, mustering a weak salute.
    “Good, go and take your
place among the garrison. You are now a guardian of
Ebulon.”
    “This is absurd...” Jenner
complained, but Malik cut him