Just before dawn, the Beckham estate received visitors of a different sort. Heavy knocking echoed through the entrance hall.

"City Watch!" a voice called. "Open up!"

Bonereghard materialized beside Silas, who was already heading for the door. The skeletal butler's hand caught his shoulder.

"A moment, young master," Bonereghard said quietly. "Do keep your mouth shut about last night. Taking out the trash isn't completely legal in these parts."

Silas frowned. "But castle doctrine—"

"—applies to nobles defending their property against immediate threats," Bonereghard cut in. "What we did was... considerably more thorough. Bastian law permits reasonable force in self-defense. It does not, strictly speaking, allow for systematic extermination set to improvised verse."

"So what do we tell them?"

"Follow my lead. Consider this your first lesson in creative interpretations of the truth." Bonereghard straightened his clothing. "The Gemini will assist. Remember - we were conducting late-night training exercises."

The knocking came again, more insistent.

"Just a moment!" Silas called out. He looked at Bonereghard. "Training exercises?"

"Indeed. After all, what responsible lord doesn't ensure his summons are prepared for combat? The noise, the screams - all part of rigorous preparation."

"And the blood?"

"Training dummies. Very realistic ones. The newest models." Bonereghard's voice carried absolute conviction. "Now then, shall we greet our guests?"

Silas opened the door to find four Watch officers, their uniforms bearing the insignia of Bastian's investigative division. The lead officer, a hard-faced woman with graying hair, stepped forward.

"Captain Viole," she introduced herself. "We've had multiple reports of disturbances last night. Screaming, sounds of combat, and—" she peered past Silas "—what appears to be significant bloodstaining on your steps."

"Ah yes," Bonereghard interjected smoothly. "The young master was conducting essential training exercises. Do show them, my lord."

Silas fought to keep his expression neutral as the Gemini appeared, their armor now conspicuously clean. They moved with an almost rehearsed precision, as if demonstrating combat forms.

"Your... summons?" Captain Viole asked skeptically.

"Indeed," Silas managed. "We've been working on their combat effectiveness. The noise was... unfortunate."

"And the blood?"

"Training implements," Bonereghard supplied. "The latest models from the Artificers' Guild. Quite realistic. Perhaps too realistic, given the complaints."

Captain Viole's eyes narrowed. "We found bodies in the street. Outside your gates."

"Ah," Bonereghard said. "That is terrible. Would these be the same bodies that have been appearing throughout the district? The ones connected to that rather troublesome thieves' guild? I do so hope you find them."

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The Captain's expression flickered. "How did you—"

"One does try to stay informed about local security concerns," Bonereghard continued. "I believe there were similar incidents near the Merchant's Quarter last week?"

Silas watched in fascination as Bonereghard skillfully redirected the conversation, dropping hints about other criminal activities in the area, suggesting connections that pulled the Watch's attention away from the estate.

"Of course," the skeletal butler added, "we would be happy to provide a full demonstration of our training regimen. Though I should warn you, the Gemini can be quite... enthusiastic in their practice sessions."

The Gemini chose that moment to execute a particularly vicious-looking combat sequence. Captain Viole took an involuntary step back.

"That... won't be necessary," she said. "However, I must remind you that Bastian law clearly defines acceptable levels of force in property defense. The statutes are quite specific—"

"Oh, indeed," Bonereghard interrupted. "Chapter Seven, Section Three of the City Code: 'Reasonable force may be employed in defense of person and property.' Though I believe Section Four has some fascinating interpretations of what constitutes 'reasonable' when dealing with magical threats."

"That's not—"

"And of course, there's the precedent set in the case of Lord Brimbly and his golems. Quite the legal debate, as I recall. Shall we discuss the finer points of thaumaturgical jurisdiction?"

Captain Voss's expression suggested she'd rather do anything else.

"Just... keep the noise down," she finally said. "And clean those steps."

"Of course," Silas agreed quickly. "My apologies for any disturbance."

As the Watch departed, Silas turned to Bonereghard. "That was..."

"Your first lesson in creative truth-telling," Bonereghard finished. "See? Today it's casual murder, tomorrow tax evasion. It's all in the wrists."

"The wrists?"

"Figure of speech. The point is, young master, sometimes the truth needs a little... artistic interpretation. Especially when dealing with bureaucratic inconveniences."

Silas processed this. "You quoted actual law."

"Of course. The best lies are built on foundations of truth. Remember that - it will serve you well when we begin addressing your tax situation."

"And the bodies they found?"

"Unfortunate victims of local criminal activity," Bonereghard said smoothly. "Nothing to do with us. Though I must say, the Gemini did an excellent job of relocating them. Quite the distance from the estate."

"You planned for this."

"Naturally. One doesn't maintain an estate this size without considering all contingencies." Bonereghard began walking back inside. "Though next time, perhaps we should conduct our 'training exercises' with less theatrical flair. My battle cadence may have been somewhat... excessive."

Silas followed, shaking his head. "I can't believe they bought that."

"They didn't," Bonereghard corrected. "But we gave them enough plausible deniability to avoid a proper investigation. That's often all one needs." He paused. "Though I do recommend we actually conduct some training exercises, just to maintain the fiction. The Gemini seem quite eager to demonstrate their capabilities."

The Gemini's eyes flickered in what might have been anticipation.

"Now then," Bonereghard continued, "shall we discuss your next lesson in creative problem-solving? I believe we still have some tax-related matters to address."

Silas looked at him suspiciously. "Is everything you teach me going to involve breaking the law?"

"Not everything," Bonereghard assured him. "Some of it merely involves creatively reinterpreting it. There's a subtle but important distinction."

"I'm sure there is."

"Indeed. For instance, your next lesson will involve the fascinating intersection of property law and magical manifestation. Did you know that technically, the Gemini don't legally exist? Makes it rather difficult to file accurate asset declarations."

Silas couldn't help but laugh. "Is that how you're going to justify everything? Legal technicalities?"

"My dear boy," Bonereghard replied, "legal technicalities are the foundation of proper estate management. That, and the occasional bout of sanctioned violence. Speaking of which, we should probably do something about those steps before they attract more attention."

"Right," Silas sighed. "Wouldn't want to ruin our cover story."

"Precisely. Though I must say, you handled yourself rather well for your first major deception. We'll make a proper lord of you yet."

As they walked back inside, Silas realized something had changed. He'd just lied to city officials, helped cover up multiple murders, and was actively planning to evade taxes. And somehow, it all felt perfectly natural.

"Bonereghard," he said suddenly, "is this how my grandfather ran things?"

"Oh no," the skeletal butler replied. "The Arch Magus was far more creative in his interpretations of the law. But don't worry - we'll get you there eventually."