Several soldiers came down from their places atop the walls. Along with the halberds, a few carried kite shields like Olorus and Hook. Others had spears or short swords. Most wore the blue of the City Watch. Only one wore the traditional red-trimmed, red-caped armor of the High Guard.

Captain Cimon Endrus was old enough to have been Leah's grandfather. His gray hair was wavy and thick, save for a shiny, bald patch on the height of his head. Leah had always thought the curled, bushy, ...