"Say, Hilfred." Mauvin turned to him. "Your father is pretty fair with a blade." "My father is excellent," Reuben corrected. "He's known to be the best sword in the royal guard next to the lieutenant and the captain." "You're talking to a Pickering, Hilfred," the prince reminded him. "That's like speaking to a family of Thoroughbred racehorses and saying your father is the fastest plow horse in the county. Their father"--Alric waved at the brothers--"is the greatest living sword master ... anywhere."