Miss! I was fully a master of the broadsword while you were still suckling greedily and noisily at your mother's teat!" He chuckled to himself as the elven girl coloured and stepped back a pace, hand on the pommel of her sword.
Julina's fingers and arm twitched with the thwarted anticipation of being unable to draw her glaive in anger. The hot flush of her cheeks paled next to the hatred that burned in her breast for this insolent northerer. How dare he speak to her so, and then find her reaction amusing!
She had heard from her brother, Palindor, that this northerner from Astargoth intended to accompany young Rhia to Hollind for reasons of his own. Well, having befriended Rhia, Julina decided then that she must go along as well, to chaperone Rhia from the threat of this man!
At last there was the ringing of a clear silver bell and people began making their way to the tables, which were set in long lines so that all could see and hear Baldric, and could rise to their feet and speak and be heard at need themselves. Baldric's table was raised somewhat, and it was soon realised that his wife and children and other family members were absent. Instead, he was flanked on either side by his usual entourage of city officials; yet their wives and older children, too, were conspicuously absent.