One of Karch’s favorite things to do was to make those that wanted to see him wait. It was a clear illustration of who controlled the power in any relationship, from a low-level guild member to a visiting Deputy. Making them wait told them that Karch was the most powerful non-Guildmaster in Ness.

So he wasn’t surprised when he walked into the Knight Tower and was told to wait. His previous visit was recent, and he had left with Saxe in a rage over Karch’s probing questions.

As he entered the Knight Tower again, he had requested an emergency meeting with Saxe, and, well, he fully expected Saxe to do to Karch what he had done to countless others. It had been two hours, however, and Karch was finding his newfound humility drifting away. Only the lowliest of guild supplicants were made to wait for a meeting longer than the same day, and here he was watching dusk fall on the city.

At least the room was comfortable. Saxe seemed to have a taste for luxury, and that included his receiving room, which had plush couches and side tables with meats and cheeses. Karch wasn’t hungry, but he was appreciative of the soft seating.

A mid-level Knight Protector walked into the room. “Excuse me, Deputy.” Saxe hadn’t even sent a Captain.

“Yes?” Karch stood up, trying to suppress his anger over the lack of respect.

“Guildmaster Saxe regrets to inform you that he will be unable to see you today. If you like, I can have a coach summoned to return you to the Merchant Tower.”

“I will wait.”

“Excuse me, sir?” The Knight looked confused and uncertain of how to respond.

“I will await Guildmaster Saxe’s summons from this spot.” Karch sat back down on the couch. “I’ve waited longer in less comfortable circumstances.” The former wasn’t true, but the latter was. Regardless, Karch had made his point.

“Um. Okay, sir. I will inform the Guildmaster.”

Karch had to hand it to Saxe. He didn’t care at all about annoying the Deputy Guildmaster of the most powerful guild in Ness, as Karch had waited all night. Clearly Saxe felt his role was so important that he as untouchable. Karch agreed with that assessment, and that was why he had waited almost a full day to meet with him.

A different Knight walked in. It was Captain Gilmore, who Karch knew as the Captain of the Knight Tower. He had replaced the previous Captain, who was demoted when Ralan and Alard had escaped. “Deputy, we appreciate your patience.” He walked over with his hand outstretched.

Karch stood up and held out his hand. “Some things are worth waiting for.”

“Indeed. These are trying times.” Gilmore’s firm handshake and respectful demeanor seemed to indicate that the power games were over. “Saxe will see you momentarily. Is there anything you require before?”

Another attempt at a delay. If I say anything, this meeting will get pushed to tomorrow. “Thank you for your concern, Captain, but I need nothing.”

It was presumably a final test, as Gilmore nodded, turned, and said, “Follow me, sir.”

Karch was reminded of how much he loathed Saxe’s drunkenness and excesses. His previous visit had ended with wine spilled on a centuries old rug of intricate design, and there was Saxe, once again sitting on his throne, a goblet in his hand.

“Karch! I just knew you would be here today.”

“I was here yesterday.” Karch bowed, and then added, “Guildmaster.”

“Ha ha ha! Yes, you were. But what I meant was that the circumstances demanded you visit me sooner or later.”

The comment was wiser than Karch had expected from Saxe. Did he truly understand that Larsen’s plans would require a desperate plea from Karch, in one form or another? Perhaps he was like Orion, hiding his savvy designs behind a facade, Saxe’s facade being irrational violence and too much wine. That would certainly have explained Karch’s previous visit.

A cold, calculating, and formidable Saxe was exactly what Karch was hoping for, so he spoke with at least some optimism in his voice. “Yes. I fear that circumstances are changed and desperate.” Saxe nodded, his eyes practically twinkling in anticipation of Karch’s next words, as if he knew them already. “What I am about to say may put my life in danger, but I fear I must.” Karch lowered his head. “I wish to change my guild loyalty to the Knights.”

Karch looked up, but Saxe just sat on his throne smiling. His lack of response made Karch uncharacteristically nervous, and he added, “I understand that this is frowned upon, that once you remove the brown of the guildless you have made a commitment to your guild, but I also know it has been done before.” Karch’s words departed his mouth faster and jumbled together. “My skills are well-known and the respect I have in the Upper Triangle is great where I believe I can be a real asset for you and I would like to add that I make this request with no expectation of a senior position I just wish to help.”

“Whoa! Slow down, Karch.” Saxe held up both hands, his wine sloshing out of his cup. “This is not at all a surprise. No one in their right mind would want to be a deputy to that sad excuse of a Guildmaster.” Saxe’s face turned serious. “Although I’m surprised you didn’t make a go at taking on the Guildmaster position yourself.”

Karch was confused. He found it odd that Saxe would openly call Larsen a sad excuse for a guildmaster, and he was doubly confused that Saxe would expect Karch to take Larsen on in a power struggle. Certainly he knew that was suicide. If nothing else Larsen’s Blade would kill him.

“While I am confident of my abilities, I’m afraid I don’t have the resources to overthrow Larsen, as unpopular as he may be today.”

Saxe stared at Karch for a moment and then burst out in laughter. “I had forgotten I had you cooped up for the past twenty-four hours! By the gods, Karch, you better approach and have a drink!” Saxe reached over for a bottle, and Karch knew that some invitations were not wise to decline. So he walked over and took the bottle from Saxe. “Drink it from the bottle. If you’re going to be a Knight, you may as well drink like your brethren.”

Karch felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. Saxe had basically just given him admission into the Knight Guild. He was free of Larsen and his insane plans. Karch took a long drink, and as he brought the bottle down, Saxe took a long drink from his own cup.

“Thank you for the welcome, Guildmaster.”

“Oh, you poor fool. That wasn’t a welcome. That was to prepare you for the news.” Saxe leaned forward, as if he was deliciously waiting to hand over a gift to a child and wanted the moment to linger. “Larsen is dead! Orion’s idiot nephew is the new Guildmaster. Presumably Larsen was looking out at the charred remains of the Flats and tossed himself through his office window.” Saxe shrugged, not looking particularly upset. “At least that was Keres’ story. Orion obviously vouched for it right away, so there was fear of contradicting the boy. And, well, he was Assistant Guildmaster, so now he’s Guildmaster.”

Karch was glad he didn’t have wine in his mouth or he would have spat it out in surprise. “But Assistant Guildmaster isn’t even an official guild position.”

“Ha! You could perhaps have made that argument yesterday while you were in the Tower, but it is too late today. Besides, I’m guessing you’d be dead, too, if you were there. That Orion is a slippery one.”

Karch nodded. “He is.” Regaining his composure, Karch spoke directly to Saxe, who looked on him with a bemused smile. “So may I pledge fealty to the Knight Guild and your leadership?”

For a moment, Karch thought Saxe would say no, but his booming voice rang out with an, “Of course! We’ll find something for you to do.” Karch took another drink from the bottle, which received an approving nod from Saxe.

“I don’t know what this means, Guildmaster. Orion effectively controls two guilds now. How does that change the plans in the Lower Quarter? Will Polo see this as an opportunity? And how do you see your alliance play out?”

“You amuse me, Karch. Already with your thinking. Who cares?” Saxe waved a hand in some vague direction. “More chaos just means more fun! We are the Knights, Karch, don’t forget that. Nothing happens in Ness without my approval. Remember that. So let’s enjoy how the other guilds make a mess of things. We are above all of it.”

Karch didn’t quite agree with Saxe, but he nodded anyway. “Indeed, sir.”

“Let me tell you the important thing to do right now.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“Drink!” And Saxe laughed as he drank from his goblet. Karch took another drink from the bottle, wondering if there existed a guildmaster in Ness that was worth anything.