Such charm did he exude, such joy did he bring to every passerby he met that they invited him into their homes, fed him their bread and stew, and protected him from thieves and vagabonds, so that he passed through the border between Amadera and Beldain without harm. —The Fall and Rise of Laetes, by Étienne of Ariata Adelina Amouteru The traitor Inquisitor turned out to be a new recruit from Dumor. After a tip from Teren and a brief hunt on board the ship, Magiano dragged every single member of our crew before me on the top deck, where they quivered and groveled at my feet. Magiano rarely has such a look of cold anger on his face—but he did then, the pupils of his eyes slitted so sharply that they looked like needles. I could kill this crew, if I wanted. I could have their blood coating the deck of this ship by nightfall. But I can’t afford to do such a thing. There would not be enough people to guide the ship, nor protect us, if I rid myself of them all.
