Chapter 1837 My Fucking Duty & Service:>Ep47

• Around those at the table, empty tiers of bench seats spoke of a time when the Mounting brought all the Bannermen to witness control of the Kingdom and its territories pass. Higher above still, the great balcony crudely called 'the Maiden's Head', where the daughters of lords watched without chance for comment or consideration as they were married off to secure the peace for their fathers and brothers. With its large guardrails (to prevent accidents, of course, not to prevent vengeful daughters falling out of the sky with knives to slay their treacherous kin), it looked for all the world like a stone birdcage.
• Her attention dropped back down toward the other side of the table. There, Adam sat by himself in formal but altogether practical dress. Scarlet doublet, golden sash, and dark purple breeches. He eschewed the traditional circlet for a gorget, the bright red gem just beneath his larynx. Despite his civilian dress, he had his sword. No, not just with him. It was out of its scabbard, its pommel cupped in his palm, blade point pressed to the ground. As Lenna watched, the third oldest brother in the Forde household used his fingers to spin the weapon around like a top. Whether bringing out a sword was more transparent threats or just an overgrown child playing with a toy, Lenna couldn't say. Despite the martial affectation, Adam's attention was entirely focused on Vladimir. The sword spun around, and around, seemingly without anyone but her to notice.
• "Alright, keep an eye out for now. Set up a few of the warden sigils I taught you around the Kralgrav. Preferably without being seen. That should inform us if there's a reappearance of this 'shadow'."