Damian Zill had said to Jared earlier that day, “Got problems? Call me.” Now felt like the perfect time to cash in that promise.

“Damian Zill, do you know the name?” Jared asked quietly. The man’s face drained of color. “Damian Zill?”

Fear flickered in his eyes. Everyone in the surrounding provinces had heard of Damian, fought, drank, and bullied beneath the protective shadow of his father, the lord of Yhuville City. Only fools crossed him.

Jared stepped closer, voice soft as falling snow. “He and I are buddies. Imagine how he’ll react when  learns you cheated and threatened me inside his city. Do you truly wish to find out?”

Sweat beaded on the man’s brow.

Letting Jared walk would bruise Whispers Tower’s pride, yet provoking Damian might well raze the whole building. He wavered, caught between ridicule and ruin.

Then, clenched his jaw, forcing himself to sound braver than felt as barked, “So you know Damian Zill, so what? This is Swordmaster City, not his father’s playground. Blood must answer for blood, debts must be paid!”