, the sword at his side. He had no real need for a sword-he was a merchant, after all, not a warrior. But Corwin's words h

hicket of brambles. Without hesitation, he drew the sword. The smoot

urprising ease, but Varek's movements were clumsy. He had no experience with a weapon. H

e, and the once-pristine blade had become scratched and dirty. The more he used it, the more he understood

ars. He had spent his life collecting beautiful, shiny things, b