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The hunting lodge was sround with thick alls and a full staff year-round It held a garrison of fifty Wooden Soldiers, and at least two dozen servants and groundskeepers in addition to the score of soldiers in the duke’s entourage, along with pages, cooks, and hounds It even had its own brothel, with comfort wo Royals Two of these were boys, but their hair and face powders ," Saered, and Rojer kneithout a doubt the tould be grunting in the pillows tonight He wondered if Keerin was the sort to take top or bottoame, their annoyance only amplified as Rhinebeck held up his prize

"So Tha bolt falls free!" Rhinebeck gesticulated with the drumstick of the rockbird to illustrate his point

With every retelling of the tale--and there had been many--Rhinebeck added little flourishes with the skill of a Jongleur He seemed to have internalized the lie entirely

Everyone had a laugh at Thamos, then His brothers and their whores, the Milnese, even some of the servants Gared studied the contents of his cup, and Thamos hter

Rojer, by his nature, wanted to join the ht, or act too good to be part of it

But over the rown to truly like Count Tha himself to add to his humiliation He drained his wine instead

The cooks had done a fine job dressing the prize, but the single rockbird was barely a rown men Rhinebeck had served it as an appetizer, so all could share in his proud "victory" It was gaain

The duke’s table was piled with pork, venison, and beef, enough to feed twice the asseroup Wine flowed freely, and those not drunk already were soon on their way, Rojer included

Of the royal family, only Thaht hi his wine

Gared followed his example He’d withdrawn since the duke had claih"

"My brothers have always been this way" Thamos’ voice was low and tired "Time was I would have been the sahted in showing up Rhiney and the others" He sighed "I abonds in the caravan caiers and sa real folk live"

He slalanced around, but the other Royals weretiship of Thesa, and to the south, our eneiers, and we’re hunting! And doing a poor job of it at that Just an excuse to get out of the city for "

The count stood "I need so, brother?" Rhinebeck called, drawing roars of laughter from Mickael and Pether "Best be careful, or I’ll have to appoint the Wooden Soldiers a new lord corimaced, and Rojer knew the duke had taken it too far The count was slow to true courage, but he could be reckless when pushed past caring

"Since your aiht dispense with si worthier" Tha the eyes of the other h to test theainst real prey"