Chapter Thirty-Three

Harry Dresden and Daniel Carpenter stake out the bazaar near Mac’s, watching for trouble from a Brotherhood squad led by Carl. Despite recent recovery from a curse, Daniel insists on leading, asking Harry to remain only as a neutral witness from the magical community.

When Carl’s group approaches and the vendors scatter, Daniel confronts them. After Carl implies Daniel’s family is too close to the supernatural, Daniel invokes the Brotherhood charter and accepts a challenge to his authority via trial by combat. He strips to fight bare-knuckle and warns Carl he has trained under Michael.

Before Carl’s men can swarm, Daniel drops one with a cross and floors Carl with a liver shot, then faces down the remaining three. Intimidated, they back off. Daniel orders them to cease roughing up civilians and to stay away from the block, sending the wounded back to the chapter house.

Daniel publicly apologizes to the bazaar, leaves contact information for restitution, and promises it will not happen again. He tells the men there will be a meeting with Michael Carpenter and Father Forthill to address conduct and mission.

As they depart, Daniel explains he chose a response Carl would understand and one loud enough to clarify authority for all. Harry acknowledges he would have stepped in only if needed, and notes he trusts Carpenter judgment, letting Daniel resolve the Brotherhood’s internal problem.