The Touch of Murder

The Touch of Murder: The Tales of the Magistrate Pt. 1 by J.F. Lee

The same magistrate who is the other last swordsman of the Blue Mountains. . . there are allusions to Tales of the Swordsman in here.

But it's chiefly focused on plots and murders and how much he hates paperwork, his unhappy marriage being a constant background, questions about assassins and whether one can leave, entertainers and more.

the game of terms

Ah the delights of fantasy terminology. . . .

Magical objects are important in this world. So important that they would have a name for them. But (curse D&D) I can't call them artifacts even if those who make them are artificers. Too much baggage.