Because there were outsiders present, Mr. Benhart could not conveniently explain to Shard that in fact, during the God Summoning at Midshire Fort last autumn, if they hadn't failed to find that sword, that sword would actually have been the best ritual item to symbolize the Vampire Kind.
"Are you sure that sword is in this city? I know more than half of the same clan in this city, but I haven't heard a thing about this."
Mr. Benhart asked. John Flynn, sitting opposite at the table, put down his wooden wine cup; the wooden cup hitting the table made a dull 'thunk' sound:
"I'm very sorry, we can't say much about the source of our information, but that sword is very likely here in the city. On that point there's no doubt at all."
