[center]A quick collab with [@Flagg]

[h3]THE MAD KNIGHT[/h3][/center]

"You threatened my soldiers."

"I did no such thing."

"We have witnesses, about a half a market's worth. You're not exactly hard to miss."

"I defended my honor."

"Honor?"

"Your man said I was an assassin."

The lieutenant rubbed his temples, exasperated, "You challenged one of my guardsman to a duel over an insult?"

"I did what was right."

An incredulous look took hold of the stoic officers features and for a moment he seemed to forget how to close his mouth, which was left agape.

"Stories aside, Samald here says you can fight."

"I can."

"Good, well as it so happens we're about to get hit with everything the Rainlands can throw at us. The Drathans pay well for good fighters."

"I don't serve."

"Yes, well, I figured you'd say that, but here's the thing, you threatened one of my men, by rights, I could have you killed."

"You could try."

"I could, but I suspect it'd cost me more than a few good men."

"It would."

"Well, then I propose we make a deal. You fight for us and we'll forget this whole threatening to gut a most honorable and esteemed officer of the law bit."

"No."

The guardsman growled and slammed a mailed fist onto the table, spilling the tankard of water that had been generously given to him and sending the artificer jumping back in fear, "Pardon, I didn't quite hear what you said, it must be my hearing but it didn't sound like a yes."

"No, I will not."

Rising to his feet, the lieutenant pointed a massive hand at the still seated knight-errant,"I've had just about enough of your impudence!" 

"I will swear no oaths but to the lord of this city."

"Well, for all purposes Daigon Shadow-Caller commands in this city now. The wizard lords sent him to organize the defenses."

"I've heard him called the Coward."

The lieutenant snorted, "Call him that to his face and see what happens."

The knight's lips curled into a feral smile, a burned and inhuman thing born on the dunes of the Great White Erg, eyes glittering with madness, "I just might."