The tip of Belida's giant black sword rested exactly one inch from the old man's wrinkled neck. The giant knight did not blink. His breathing was heavy, his muscles tensed and ready to completely sever the man's head from his shoulders at the slightest sudden movement.
But Chitala simply sat there. The old man did not even flinch at the massive chunk of deadly steel pointed at him. He calmly reeled in his fishing line. The burnt string rolled up neatly. He placed the wooden rod beside him on the rusted iron pipe.
"Stand down, Belida," Kanos ordered. His voice was quiet but absolute.
Belida frowned deeply. He did not lower his sword. "He knows your title, Kanos. If he is an informant for the Sensor Bureau, we need to bury him right here right now."
