[center][h3][color=993333]István Shilage[/color][/h3][/center]

[@Crimson Paladin][@The Otter]

[color=993333]"With any luck, that might be when he finally loses nerve, and takes a hint."[/color] came the toneless reply from the doorway, rather than the depths of the chamber wherein the two-and-a-quarter Lions stood. The mugs in his grasp had, over the brisk walk from kitchen to guest lodging, cooled sufficiently from scalding hot to reasonable for palates not clad in iron. As such, Istvan's was already drained of a third of its contents in that span, the heat settling comfortably in his belly and polishing his voice. Lambert had been privy to an early morning's gravel and little more. [color=993333]"Yet we've far from proven to be lucky sorts, recently. Bridger would doubtless cycle back to the eldest still available, fancying his persistence over any sense."[/color]

He strode forward, eyeing the mass of fuzz and fluff currently attempting to nest within his charge's unkempt mane before meeting the gaze of Falkner.

[color=993333]"I suppose coaxing that one into captivity would be a job we could only leave to you."[/color] In another, slightly different circumstance, a sentence that would doubtless be mockery towards a man from a long, proud line of knights, of men who tamed beasts of heraldry and prestige. Here, the hammer of the north's expression betrayed little of the sort, dry enough that you could call it muted. Certainly, the scene that prompted this looked ridiculous. [color=993333]"I cannot imagine this was a peaceful flight on the return."[/color]

[color=993333]"News and Sirona,"[/color] he grunted after a moment, sparing the griffin knight a nod. [color=993333]"This is a favor owed, if nothing else. We should see your good work compensated soon."[/color]

He didn't sound [i]thrilled[/i], but it was of course no fault of their courier's. Instead, the tightness in his brow proved to increase, if marginally, as he came to a stop beside the Demet heir. 

[color=993333]"The Betrothal Merchant aside, what are we looking at?"[/color]