"Fucking, Cunt!"

The shout rang from the Lords box as the Inspectors stepped inside. The crash of metal cups and dishes followed.

Kint pushed away the silk portiere, gaining full view of the space.

It wasn't as ornate as he’d expected, just a shaded version of the stands around them.

The only lavish piece in the room was an empty throne at the back.

Six Acolytes, wearing the yellow and gray of house Inkhold rimmed the room. Their attire ranged from pressed to slovenly. Kint noted several of them had the red rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks of drink.

He suppressed a frown.

"I paid a fucking fortune for that Earth Worm!" The Lord complained, pointing at the headless Kalashoon Haze below.

"He vowed he’d beat the bitch."

The lord turned, golden cape flowing as he glowered around the room.

The man was handsome, with long blond hair and a dark gray tunic, he cut quite the figure. But the effect was ruined as he slumped petulantly into his throne.

"Maedon’s shorts, she's a blasted Shaper!"

He grabbed a chalice from the table, a neatly dressed Acolyte rushing to fill it.

"That's six-- No! Seven mages she's killed now. Half of them Crafters."

He threw his hands up, exasperated, wine spilling across the room.

"And listen to them. They love her!"

The Lord cupped a hand to his ear.

The crowd was chanting.

“Ice Walker! Ice Walker!”

His anger diminished.

"I can't afford a Master Mage."

The last words came out as a pout.

"You could fight her."

Lord Echrus straightened, face red with anger, eyes searching for the speaker.

His demeanor softened when his eyes met Elsha's.

"Who are you?" The Lord asked, cautious.

"We're Inspectors from the Vorvan 13th, My Lord." Kint responded.

Echrus’ face soured.

He looked Kint’s beautiful partner up and down.

"What a waste."

"We're here under the Black Seal.” Kint continued. “If you’ll allow us, we’d like to ask a few questions about the murders at Lord Crecius’ factory."

Echrus raised a finger.

"Is this going to take a while?"

"I--I'm not sure?" Kint stammered.

The Lord sighed, drinking down the rest of his wine.

"Hold."

He stood, moving past them to the edge of the box, facing the arena.

"Have to sooth the masses."

He grinned in Elsha’s direction.

Lord Echrus straightened his posture before stepping into the sunlight.

The crowd roared in approval. He held out a hand drawing them to silence.

"What a splendid match." He began with a flourish.

"The Ice Walker, victorious again! Let's hear it for our girl."

The crowd exploded, cheers rising again.

“Ice Walker! Ice Walker! Ice Walker!”

A subtle frown touched the corner of Echrus’ lips.

He raised a hand again, and the applause died down.

"Now, we will have a brief intermission as I attend to the business of the District. But in the meantime… "

He swept a flamboyant hand over the arena, gesturing down to the seats in the lower bowl.

Stolen story; please report.

“A gift! For my lovely Citizens!"

Dozens of attendants filed into the aisles, handing out fresh loaves of bread and sticks of meat.

The audience cheered, their cries just as loud as for the Ice Walker.

"And Acolyte Faden!" The Lord called out, breaking up the cheers.

The Ringmaster stepped forward, perched like a carrion bird on his stand.

"Release the beasts!"

The crowd erupted.

Hidden gates opened around the Arena. Dozens of rabid beasts sprinted into the open, attacking each other on sight, blood drenched the white sand of the Arena in an instant.

Lord Echrus returned to his throne, a satisfied smile splitting his face.

"Kadenites." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Give them blood and bread, and they’ll give you their hearts in return."

He lowered himself into the chair with a flourish of his golden cape.

"I envy them sometimes." He sighed.

Kint's lips compressed to a line.

This man was exactly as he’d expected the Lord of a Mule District to be.

"Now." The Lord grabbed his chalice, holding it out for a refill. "What can I do for you fine Inspectors?"

He took a sip from the cup, raising an eyebrow and nodding at its quality.

"We just need a few details, My Lord." Kint began.

Echrus gestured for him to continue.

“To start, how long has the Lord been a tenant of yours?”

The Lord put a finger to his chin.

"Oh, it’s been some time now." He mused, "Right, Dylahall?"

He glanced over his shoulder to a well dressed Acolyte holding a silver jug of wine.

"Ten years, My lord." The man replied.

"Yes, ten years" Echrus echoed, "He's rented many properties in that time, to build his little toys."

The man grinned sheepishly.

Apparently he was getting the Sentinel’s messages too.

"And this most recent plant, was there anything different about it?" Kint pressed.

Echrus raised an eyebrow.

“Different?”

“Anything unusual from how Lord Crecius normally operates his facilities.”

The Lord cocked his head in thought.

“Dylahall, when was the last time they shipped anything from that location?”

“Six months ago, my Lord.” The Acolyte replied.

“And has Crecius missed any payments in that time?”

“No, my Lord. In fact, they just renewed their lease this past month.”

Lord Echrus raised an eyebrow at the two Inspectors.

“Does that seem odd to you?”

Kint’s brow furrowed.

This Lord was far more competent than he’d expected, with well organized Acolytes too.

A burly guard by the box’s entryway burped, screwing the top back onto a flask before tucking it back into his robes.

Or maybe Dylahall was the exception.

“So, the building has been empty for six months?” The senior Inspector questioned.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” Echrus mused. “Crecius’ little partner goes in there from time to time. Drinks himself near to death from what I hear.”

“Lord Crecius has a partner?” Elsha asked, surprised.

“That’s his secret, Sweetheart.” The Lord smiled. “Crecius always has a Kadenite waiting in the wings to take the fall in case things go poorly.”

Lord Echrus grinned, taking another sip of wine before continuing.

“He’s had dozens of his ventures fail in my district alone, but his genius reputation never takes a hit because there’s always some sad Kadenite sap to shoulder the blame.”

The Lord nodded to himself.

“It’s quite brilliant actually.”

“Seems cut throat.” Elsha commented.

The Lord chuckled.

“It’s all about perception, darling. Every lord has to manage it. Crecius cultivates the air of an infallible genius so his Kadenites can take pride in him, sharing in his accomplishments in some small way.”

“And you?” Elsha pressed.

The Lord grinned, gesturing to the Arena around them.

“Blood and bread…” Kint muttered.

“Precisely.”

The Inspector had to work to stop his teeth from grinding.

“So, who was Lord Crecius’ partner on this particular venture?”

Echrus shivered, drinking deep from his cup.

“Oh, gods. What an insipid man. A real parasite.” The Lord grimaced. “You actually had to have a conversation with him, didn’t you Insmuth?”

“Yes, m’Lord.” The burly looking Acolyte spoke up by the door. “A parasite indeed.”

The man was slurring his words. Obviously very drunk.

Echrus looked to his bookkeeper.

“What was his name again?”

“Syfeeli, Aladash Syfeeli, my Lord”

Kint’s eyes widened.

“Yes, that’s it.” Echrus nodded.

The Inspectors shared a look.

"Did he ever say anything to you about the factory?” Kint pressed. “What they were doing there?"

The Lord squinted at him, irritated.

The Inspector had been a bit too sharp in his questioning.

“I don’t care what they make, as long as they pay.” He muttered, “Insmuth might know something though. He actually had to talk to the weasel.”

Kint turned to face the bloated Acolyte.

"Did he say anything to you, Mr. Insmuth?"

The man put a finger to his bearded chin.

"Not too much." The fat man gave a putrid smile, mouth festering with rotting teeth.

"’E went on and on about ’is 'ouse and 'is pretty wife. Told me ‘e 'ad lots of parties."

The Acolyte shook his head.

"’E seems like a real c--hgh."

The man’s breath caught in his chest. Confusion and fear marked his bloodshot eyes.

He coughed, breath ejecting from his lungs.

Blood sprayed across Lord Echrus’ face.

Kint’s eyes widened.

Insmuth put a hand to his chest, face full of fear and pain.

The hand came away bright red.

A crimson rose bloomed in the center of his robes.

He coughed again.

Blood dribbled down his chin.

Everyone took a step back.

Lord Echrus curled deep into the corner of his chair.

The Acolyte fell to his knees.

Kint watched the life fade from the man’s eyes as he fell to the floor.

Dead.