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I stood up—not without effort, for healing Hakon’s bite wound had taken a lot out of me I towered over the man, which is always unfortunate if you want an excuse to duck out of a fight In any event, standing was a necessary part of the process since I intended to vacate the chair rather than get cut into chunks over the issue I puffed out my cheeks even so and blustered a piece—you can’t let the weakness show or you’re dead

“Men ofdon’t cross the seas to brawl in taverns Daged aton me It’s always easier to back out of such confrontations if you can claim to have left your sharp iron at home

“Dirty bastard, aren’t you?” The Norseman looked up at me with a sneer “I hope you’ve not left any of that stain on my chair” He frowned in pantomime “Or doesn’t that stain come off however you scrub?”

To be fair ere probably equally dirty, with his grime smeared over skin so fish-belly white you could see the veins snaking blue paths underneath, and mine the proud olive hue that ait’s been since he saw the sun, darkened still further with Mother’s heritage from the Indus

“Your chair” I stepped aside, indicating the free seat My whole attention focused on the man, every muscle I owned ready for action

The tavern held quiet now, anticipating violence and waiting for the show Sos can’t be avoided—unless you’re a true professional Most, for example, wouldn’t think to just run like hell

“It is dirty!” The Viking pointed to the chair, as filthy as any other in the place “Suppose you get down there and clean it Right now” More h the street door, not that he needed the backup

“I’m sure a cleaner chair can be found for you” I puffed up, pretending I thought he was joking and hoping the size of me would intimidate the man

Just as cowards often have an instinct for trouble, many bullies have a nose for fear Some small clue hidden in the way I carried myself told hiner” He raised a fist to menace me

Snorri looht his wrist, broke it, and tossed hiames, Jal There’s three boatloads of Maladon sailors headed up here—so set uponanye don’t want to get caught up in it”

And with that he bundled u, and the quins in tow, and out the back door

“We’ll ate in the wall of the enclosed yard

And like that my dreams of a warm bed and warmer company bleay in a cold wind