Instead of rising, he bowed lower.
"Please show mercy, my lord. I swear upon the heavens, I do not know how the young master escaped."
Wester's eyes narrowed.
"Did I ask for your excuses?" he snapped. "Stand up and come forward. I have a task for you."
The guard hurried to his feet and stumbled to the side.
Wester selected seven more.
Three were five-star experts.
Five were four-star experts.
All of them stood together, pale and trembling.
Then Wester turned his attention to the head of security, a peak six-star expert and his distant cousin, Talcred Silver.
"Talcred," he said, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment, "you have failed me most of all. While my son was leaving this house, you were asleep."
Talcred Silver lowered his head.
"I apologize, Lord Wester. I was careless."
Wester waved a dismissive hand. "What is done is done. Now, I need you to do one thing for me."
Talcred looked up.
"Yes, my lord."
