Every ninth day, the guild rankings at Kestrel's Reach were updated.
And for the past eleven years...
Roderic Kade had attended every single Posting.
Not because he needed reassurance.
The Ironclasp Company had occupied the top position on the Roll for six consecutive years.
Its place wasn't in danger.
At least, not today.
But reputation wasn't maintained through victories alone.
It was maintained through appearances.
A Lord-Marshal who suddenly stopped showing up to witness his own company standing at the top invited questions.
Questions became rumors.
Rumors became opportunities.
And opportunities had a way of becoming rivals.
Kade preferred preventing problems before they existed.
The Tally-Master's Courtyard was already crowded when he arrived.
Mercenary captains, quartermasters, guild clerks, caravan brokers, and curious townsfolk gathered beneath the towering Wall of the Roll.
The monument stood nearly three stories high.
