Of course it hadn't come loaded with Crystal bullets. Oh well.

Char carefully switches the new weapon to his left hand and draws his magical saber, preparing to pepper Avshar with energy blades if regular bullets weren't going to do the trick.

"Anyone who'd care to help is free to kill the traitor. I'll work out a suitable reward for the one who cuts his head off," he says levelly, raising Nightingale into an on-guard position.

At that, the guards and functionaries in the room that happen to be armed draw their swords and move toward the wizard prince, cautiously and with worried looks at the soldiers behind him.