Seret's broadsword kissed Hajin's collar while the Divine core brightened between their feet, throwing its light up the steel.
Above them, Vella's shield hid the drivers hushing their horses on the shelf.
"Ten seconds," Seret said, pressing the edge into the coat without cutting through, "surrender your weapons and the core, then submit to custody until the Crown decides what you concealed."
"Ten seconds, how generous."
Hajin kept his empty hand beside the sword's guard, "Show me the warrant first, or show me where our assignment lets you arrest the rear guard for saving its drivers."
The captain's grip tightened as sand crossed the dead worm's plates, and the edge settled close enough to open skin.
'One twitch from this stiff idiot and I'm bleeding into my own collar, perfect.'
