The Malevolent Seven'Seven powerful mages want to make the world a better place. We're going to kill them first.' Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic?

the hitherto fortunate owner of Bond's Bank

a barbarian mercenary

Our story has begun

is boarding a train

but do not panic

It will lead him to evidence that will topple the secretive espionage company

Here they join a travelling theatre group

there is no shortage of suspects

Solomon Idris has taken eight people hostage in a chicken takeaway

before someone tried to kill him

his paranoid fears of assassination

executed with a single shot to the back of the head