A drop of blood trickled from his neck. Only then did Wolfgar seem to grasp the gravity of the situation, and the smile vanished from his face. He backed himself into the wall, his voice cracking as he said, "You think you'll get away with this? Threatening a noble with a weapon will have you hanging from the gallows!"
"But before that, your useless body will serve as fertilizer," Riftan replied softly, then glanced toward the rose-strewn garden.
The blood drained from Wolfgar's face. He yelled sharply toward his brother, who was standing stiffly behind them. "Don't just stand there! Go fetch the guards before—"
"Quiet." Riftan pressed the dagger into Wolfgar's skin, just below the chin. "I said I'm here to talk. Keep shouting, and I'll have no choice but to end this now. Is that what you want?"
Wolfgar stiffened and slowly shook his head. Only then did Riftan pull his dagger back slightly.