Leander flung open the door to the Kedo shop in the inner city and marched inside, flanked by Basak. Sentinel Nerys stood at the main counter with a richly dressed lord, discussing an ermine cape that lay on the countertop.

"Out," Leander snapped to the lord.

When the man protested, Basak laid a firm hand on his shoulder and propelled him out the door. The burly Stalwart stationed himself there to ensure no one else disturbed them.

Sentinel Nerys frowned. "By your rude behavior, I assume your visit here is not for the purpose of purchasing our merchandise."

"It is not," Leander said. He marched up to the glass counter. "By order of the emperor, you will accompany me to the council chamber to answer charges of lying and facilitating the recent attack that left two of my brethren dead."

"Calm down," Nerys said, making placating gestures. "I already explained that our market location was vandalized. Artifacts stolen there were indeed used in that terrible attack, but I bear no responsibility for those actions."

"Those artifacts are not in question. What is in question is why you lied about the box artifact found with the dead."

"I don't know what you mean," Nery said, but his expression turned nervous.

"Stop lying to me," Leander snapped. He slapped a hand onto the glass top of the counter, rattling the case. "You lied about the box and withheld evidence. Now tell me who purchased it."

"I cannot share our client list with anyone," Nerys protested. "It's confidential information. What clients choose to do with our products is not our responsibility."

Leander leaned over the case. "Then why lie about it?"

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"I'll have to see this box again," Nerys said. "I don't remember any such thing."

"Sir Kevlin recognized it. He said you showed it to him in this very shop and told him it was an experimental model, one of a kind."

Nerys glanced to his right, at an empty spot on a high shelf. His face paled. "I'm sorry. I cannot help you."

"Let me make this clear," Leander said, his voice deadly soft. "You either cooperate willingly, or I'll assume you're an accomplice. You won't like that nearly as much as I will."

Nerys glared. "Do you really think it wise to threaten a Sentinel in his own shop?"

"Your powers don't concern me." Leander headed for the end of the case. "And your time is up."

Nerys snatched a short, intricately carved wooden rod from inside the display case. He pointed it at Leander and flicked a knob on one side. Dozens of thick ropes exploded out of the tip and wrapped around Leander.

Leander toppled forward against the case. "You fool," he shouted. "I'll have your head."

Basak charged from where he stood near the door. Nerys pointed the rod at him and more ropes whipped around the burly Stalwart. His legs tangled and his forward momentum toppled him hard to the floor.

Nerys bounced the rod in his hand and said in a smug tone, "I tried to warn you, old man. Only a fool attacks a Kedo on his home ground. Now, after I have you two thrown out the door, I want you to . . ."

"Enough!" Leander shouted. "Time for Justice."

The ropes binding him vaporized in a blinding flash of light. Still-burning tatters drifted to the floor around him as he snapped his fingers and called forth his mighty hammer.

Nerys scuttled back to the wall as Leander leaped the display case and advanced on him. The Sentinel touched a small figurine carved into the shape of a hand holding a key. He pressed himself against the wall and disappeared.

Leander lunged and collided with the back wall. He smashed the figurine and struck the back wall with his hammer. The wall shuddered under the blow, and one shelf to his right collapsed and dumped its contents to the floor with a crash. Nerys was nowhere to be seen.

Leander spun and surveyed the empty shop. He snapped the fingers of his left hand, and the ropes still binding Basak melted away. "Let’s spread out. We'll find that traitor."

"Found him." Basak pointed out the window. Sentinel Nerys was sprinting around the corner, heading south.

Leander bolted from the shop and gave chase, with Basak close on his heels. As he ran Leander growled, "There is no escape from Justice. I will not be denied again."