At the top of the final flight of stairs, Ryder encountered a set of double doors. The dark wood was polished to a high shine, and the ornate brass doorknobs sparkled dimly in the low magelight. A pair of halberd-toting guards stood at attention beside them, one on each side.

It had taken him the better part of the night to sneak through Zerith Hold to this point. Other than one oblivious random patrol, there had been no sign of guards on any of the doors. Whatever was behind that door was more important than anything in the other rooms. Ryder was betting it was the baron.

Gripping the end of his chain, Ryder readied himself, then charged out of the shadows. The spikes of his chain lit up as he brought it down around one of the surprised guards' hands.

Pulling the chain tight, Ryder ripped the halberd from the soldier's grip and sent it clattering down the stairs.

The guard's eyes went wide, and he started fishing around on his belt for his sword. The other guard managed to get his halberd pointed at Ryder, but that was all. The spiked chain slammed into the soldier's face, discharging its electrical fire and sending a tremendous jolt through the man's body. Before the man could recover, Ryder was on him again. He pulled the guard's legs out from under him and smashed the other end of the chain into his chest. The soldier's body jumped from the impact. He let out a muffled cry and slumped back.

Ryder turned his attention back to the disarmed guard. He was visibly frightened, trying to get his blade out of its sheath but having a hard time because his hands were shaking.

"Intruder!" shouted the man, his voice wobbling.

The end of Ryder's spiked chain clocked the man in the head and wrapped itself around his neck. With a quick flick of Ryder's wrist, the guard was pulled from his feet and sent tumbling down the stairs.

With stealth no longer an option, Ryder grabbed hold of the knob and shoved his shoulder against the door. It opened, and the master of chains stepped though to the other side.

Even lit as dimly as it was, Ryder could tell right away that he'd come to the right place. The room was opulently decorated. Bookshelves lined the walls, and the center of the room was dominated by little clusters of chairs, couches, and tables. It looked like the kind of place a baron would count his money and plot how he was going to get more.

On the far side were a series of medium windows that looked out on the harbor and the Deepwash. In the low light, Ryder could just make out two figures standing beside a closed door on the other side of the room-more guards. They already had their swords drawn, no doubt alerted by the shouting outside.

Ryder swung his chain at his side. It glowed purple and blue, painting everything in the room the color of bruised flesh.

The guards split up, swinging around to try to flank Ryder.

"Drop your weapon and stay still, or we will use deadly force," said one of the men.

"I wish I could give you the same option," said Ryder, "but in the name of the Crimson Awl, your lives are forfeit." Taking two steps, he lunged at the guard closest to him, extending his crackling chain to its full length and reaching over a couch to strike at the man's helmet.

The guard's blade intercepted the chain, batting it harmlessly to one side. "Dear Ilmater," said the man. "Ryder. Is that you?"

The low mage stones in the room flared, banishing the shadows and bringing the guards into stark view.

Ryder felt the pit of his stomach drop to the floor. "Liam."

Liam stared across the room at his dead brother. "I watched you die," he said, not lowering his sword. "You're dead. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Liam, what are you doing here? Are you lying in wait for Purdun?" He pointed at Knoblauch. "Is this man also with the Awl?"

Liam took a deep breath. "Not exactly." Behind Ryder he could see Knoblauch still creeping around to flank his brother. "What…? How

…?" He didn't even know what questions to ask.

Images flashed through his head. The day of the ambush. His meetings with Purdun. The events that had lead him to the moment where he stood on guard against his own brother.

"Liam," said Ryder, keeping one eye on Knoblauch, "I'm here to assassinate Purdun. Help me get in, and let's get out of here."

Knoblauch launched himself over a chair at Ryder's back. But the master of chains was fast. Dodging the oncoming blade, Ryder brought his chain up in time to catch the guardsman on the back of his leg, tearing several of the metal plates out of his splint mail and sending the veteran sprawling against the couch.

"Stop!" shouted Liam. "Just stop, everyone." He needed a moment to get everything clear in his head.

Ryder took a step back, his eyes darting back and forth between Knoblauch and Liam. "What's going on here?" he glared at his brother. "Liam! It's me, Ryder. Your brother."

"This is your brother?" said Knoblauch as he got to his feet.

Liam nodded, holding his hand up to stay Knoblauch while he got everything straight in his head. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Yes."

"Liam, we don't have much time. There will be guardsmen here any moment."

Liam lowered his sword. "There are guardsmen here already."

Ryder looked at Knoblauch. "But there are two of us. Surely we can take this one."

Liam shook his head. "I'm also in Purdun's elite guard."

Ryder's face dropped. "What?"

"I am an elite guard," repeated Liam, not able to look at his brother.

Ryder's eyes narrowed. "You sold out?" He shook his head. "How could you?"

"It's not what you think," pleaded Liam. But even as he said it, the words felt hollow on his tongue.

"No?" said Ryder, making a show out of looking around the room. "So you're working both sides?" He made a move toward Knoblauch, launching his spiked chain at the veteran.

"Stop," shouted Liam, reacting to his brother attacking his friend.

Knoblauch batted it aside with seemingly little effort. But Liam could tell by the look on Ryder's face that his brother hadn't really tried to hit the veteran. It had been a test-just like when they were young.

Ryder glared at Liam. "How could you do this? The moment I'm gone, you go running to the baron."

Liam felt his face get red. "It didn't happen that way."

"Oh no?" Ryder stepped sideways, pacing around Liam like a threatening snake, gathering his chain to him. With a smooth overhand motion, he brought it over his shoulder, striking at Liam.

Liam jerked back, but he was too slow. Ryder's chain caught his long sword on the hand guard. Liam tried to keep hold of it, but Ryder was stronger, and sword went tumbling to the floor.

Liam sidestepped away from Ryder, shaking his tingling hand. He matched his brother's steps, and the two men circled, facing each other. If this were another man-any other man-Liam would already have his short sword in hand.

"I suppose you've betrayed the rest of the family as well," spat Ryder, his face growing angrier.

The center of Liam's stomach grew a heavy lump-Samira.

"Ryder, I'm sorry." He held his empty hands up in front of him. "I thought you were dead."

"That's no excuse."

Liam averted his eyes, his chest nearly caving in on itself with guilt. "I know."

"I was counting on you."

He nodded again, almost able to feel Samira's touch on his skin. "I know."

"You should have continued where I left off," chided Ryder.

"What?" The images in Liam's head scattered, and he finally looked up at his brother.

"You should have led the Awl-not abandoned them." Ryder glared. "If you really thought I was dead, then you should have taken my place."