He wondered if there might be some unknown gift for this, as he seemed eerily adept at lying with a straight face. Only his grandfather had been able to detect his lies and truth-stretches without fail. “We’ve come to surrender, good sirs. We beg your mercy. We know there’s no escape from your able custody.” “And well you should.” A squinty-eyed sentry with a soot-smudged face ogled them with suspicion. “What’s that behind your backs? Let me see your hands.” Markaeus edged forward. Just a little bit closer. The furthest two guards are mine, and I’ve not got a clear shot at the last one. “It’s only a peace offering... we found a bit of food.” He slowly moved his left hand around to expose a piece of soggy bread. The third sentry, with the braided adornment of a head guard, took a step toward them, completely blocking his view of the last one. “Whatever that may be, we don’t want it.
