Krakas, muttering obscenities, eventually pulled herself out of the water and put on another robe. The warm water, the polite company, she could almost pretend she wasn't swept up over her head in a never ending war led by her own son. Kutur, when he thought it was safe, turned back and started writing hasty notes about the statues lining the room.

"Good chieftain Rama, of the Bronze Tree clan, I believe?" he started. "His Might the Emperor Rughoi demands that I appraise the decorations of the palace for trade value, with the end goal, if I may be so bold to say, being to attract more kobold citizens and hire workers and mercenaries. Your eye for gold is better than mine. What say you about these statues?"