"I'll only ask this once."
Keiser's voice came low and even as he drew his sword. The sound of metal rang sharp against the night air, cutting through the frantic panting of the two old men and the uneasy snort of the horses that tried to pull away from the tension.
"Decide… do you want to be carved sideways, or split clean down the middle?"
Both men froze. Their Adam's apples bobbed in unison before they slowly turned to glance at each other. The smaller one on the left found his courage first, though his voice trembled.
"H-his highness told us we'd find you here at this time,"
That made Keiser's grip tighten. His eyes narrowed, the tip of his sword shifting slightly as he changed stance, weight poised to strike.
Then the taller old man suddenly flailed a hand, waving something that caught the torch light. "Th-this! Look! He said, if you see this, y-you'll help! There's trouble at the auction, and uh they need... you!"
