Slander and Invitations

A man who seemed to belong to the nobility stepped in. Daman sighed and put his pistol down, and even though the pirates and the prince didn't know who this man was, they followed the example of the bookish fellow.

"I see you have already started," the newcomer said.

He moved swiftly and was dressed in red and gold. His face was sweaty, even though the room was reasonably cool, and his eyes had a gleam that spoke more of madness than of any fever.

"I think you are making a mistake," he said.

"Who are you?" Spade asked him.

The manic man sat down and poured himself some rum. "I am Duke of Goldfield. I hate to see Sennas ruined by incompetent rulers. I have experience. I was never on Guyl's side, but this outlaw over here only started to care about these things once he realized he could make a profit."

"And you want that power out of the pure goodness of your heart," the king-captain said.