Quinten frowned, and he beckoned the man over. “Johnson, is this true?"

“I asked them to come back tomorrow, sir."

“Why? It's only two in the afternoon."

“Well, I... I was busy with paperwork, you see..."

"You know I can tell when people lie to me, Johnson. You're fired.

Pack your things, you have thirty minutes to leave the district. Go.”

"But sir!"

"Go." Quinten's tone was final.

The man looked at Quinten for a long moment and then fled.

“There that's taken care of."

Daniel spoke. “That seemed overly harsh. How long has the man worked here?"

Quinten looked surprised at Daniel speaking. “Um, about twenty years, I suspect."

“And you just fired him over one mistake?"

“No. I fired him because he lied to me. Never lie to a paladin, son."

“I'm not your son. And who cares if you lie to a paladin?"

“God does."

“Which god?"

“THE God." The lights dimmed in the hallway like the sun had been obscured by clouds. The light surrounding Quinten seemed to brighten.

Grace grabbed Daniel's arm. “Shut up, now."

Daniel opened his mouth.

“Now, you stupid fuck!" hissed Grace.

Quinten looked annoyed. "Grace, who is this fellow?" The light in the hallway returned to normal. So did Quinten. Daniel felt oddly unimpressed.

“Probably the strongest spell caster the realm has ever known."

"Seriously?"