The branch of the Lorenthian military that operated as the peacekeeping force within the cities and towns of the country was called the Watch. It was on a bench in the waiting area of the nearest station house of the Watch that Rori now sat.

  He wasn’t under arrest.

  Or at least he didn’t think he was.

  He’d walked here on his own feet with his hands unbound. Which could not be said of Rud or the fellow with the sword, who he’d learned was named Blue Tommy. Rori hadn’t bothered to ask why it was Blue Tommy and not just Tommy. As far has he could see there was nothing particularly blue in color or attitude about the man. The pair of them had gotten their arms manacled behind their backs and then they’d been led away while surrounded by eight soldiers.

  Nick had been carried away on a cart. He’d never regained consciousness after the bull tossed him off of the stage. Though Dade had later confirmed that he was not dead, just seriously injured.

  The bull had definitely fared the worst. It too was carried away in a cart. But that was only after almost a dozen men managed to drag its corpse onto the back of it.

  When the group had arrived at the station house Dade had pointed at the bench and said, ‘Sit.’ He’d then led the two arrested men through a door into the back of the building. So Rori had sat, and so he sat still.

  The sun had set long ago, and the faded adrenaline combined with the long wait meant Rori’s eyes were now more than heavy.

  That is until the front door to the station house slammed open and brought Rori out of his half-doze with a start.

  The man who had pushed through the door ignored the officer sitting at the desk and after two large steps was standing directly in front of Rori.

  The man was, in a word, ‘big’.

  Not big in a fat way and not big in an overly wide way. Instead, he looked like someone had taken a normal man and simply scaled him up proportionately in all ways until he was nearly seven feet tall.

  He wore a breast plate that was a gleaming golden color. Rori could not decide if it was supremely polished bronze, actual gold or something in between. Hanging from the back of the breast plate was a crimson red cape. He wore a skirt made of nearly black leather straps with the same golden colored metal at the tips of each strap. And he had a sword sheathed at his hip.

  Though the outfit looked much like the traditional uniform of the Lorenthian military, Rori could not see rank or insignia anywhere on the man that might help to identify him. Though Rori suspected that failing to be identified was not a problem the soldier ever had.

  His hair was dark brown, and his face somehow looked vaguely familiar. Though he had yet to do anything other than walk into the room, he was without a doubt the most fit, best looking and had the most intimidating presence Rori had ever seen. Though it pained Rori to think of it in these terms, Rori had little doubt that Dade could never best this man.

  Though all of his clothes were in pristine condition and the man didn’t have a speck of dirt or a scratch anywhere on him, Rori instinctively knew this man had seen many battles.

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  Rori realized that while he had been focused on the first man, three other people had come in with him. All three of them stood near the doorway clearly waiting to be told what to do.

  One of the three was an elf with a bow strapped across his back. Beside him was a female, black haired palindri carrying a club so massive it would take two hands to swing it. The third person was a human carrying a spear. All three were wearing armor and looked ready for a fight, though the style of armor was different with each. If the first man hadn’t been in the room, they would have been an impressive and intimidating group. With him in the room, they looked every bit his inferior.

  “So, you’re Rori,” said the first man now standing directly in front of Rori.

  “Yes,” Rori replied in a much quieter voice than he’d intended.

  “Speak up, son. I don’t offend easily.”

  “Yes, I’m Rori,” said Rori in a louder and more confident voice, though it still wasn’t nearly what Rori had been trying for.

  “I’ve been hearing impressive things about you. Very impressive.”

  “Thanks, I guess,” said Rori not knowing specifically what the man was talking about.

  “He said ‘thanks, I guess,’” the man said with a chuckle, turning back to the other three by the door. “He’s humble too. I can appreciate humble when it’s called for.”

  The three by the door didn’t really respond, other than the human with the spear nodding his head once.

  “I’m always on the lookout for new talent. And I always seem to have positions to fill. I could use someone who can do the things you can do.”

  Rori stared at the man for a moment not sure if he was supposed to be responding or not. And also, not sure what the man was actually offering. Finally, after an overly long and awkward pause Rori said, “To do what?”

  “What do you mean, ‘to do what’?” stated the man, now also clearly confused. “To fight of course. To fight the battles that need fighting. To ensure the victories on the side of right. What does it look like we are geared up for? A picnic?”

  “No, of course not,” said Rori.

  “If it’s money you’re worried about, I pay well,” said the man. Then turning back to the other three he continued. “Isn’t that right.”

  “Yes, sir,” said the human with the spear. “We never lack for anything.”

  “I don’t really need money,” said Rori after another long pause.

  “He said, ‘he doesn’t need money,’” the man said turning back to the other three, which again only elicited a nod from the human. “Humble and not interested in money. This boy’s getting rarer by the moment. You in it for honor? Glory? Just the thrill of the danger?”

  This time after Rori didn’t immediately answer, the man continued on without waiting.

  “Actually, I don’t care what your reasons are. As long as you aren’t one of the bad guys, and I can see straight off that you aren’t, and as long as you are half as good as what I hear, I can use you. If you’re actually as good as I hear, I’m sure you’ll be promoted up the ranks, quick as you like.

  “Anyway, I’m not here to sign you up today. I just wanted to drop in while you had a moment to yourself and make you aware that I’m aware and you got my attention. If you think you’d like to step up into the big time, just be ready to give me a whistle. I can promise you it won’t be dull. Alright?”

  “Sure,” said Rori hesitantly.

  “He said, ‘sure,’” said the man back to the three by the door. “A man of few words. I can also appreciate that. Too many chatterboxes on the squad as it is.”

  “Sir,” said the palindri female, “we are kind of needed back at the front lines. Things are probably coming to a head about now.”

  “Right. Let’s move then. I will check back with you later, Rori. Don’t forget what we talked about.”

  “I won’t,” said Rori as if this odd event was something that could be easily forgotten.

  The man strode back over to the three by the door. They moved out of his way without a sound, the elf pulling the door open for him. And then he was gone as quickly as he’d arrived. The elf and the palindri followed him out as the human with the spear grabbed the door and started to pull it shut behind himself. But just before the door closed all of the way, it opened again, and the spearman stepped back into the room. He looked at Rori one more time, gave Rori a questioning look, shrugged and left.

  Rori just sat staring at the door trying to make sense of it all.