~A KING'S COMMAND~

". . .THE RED ALE IS AS FRESH AS A VIRGIN'S THIGHS."

"Oh dear gods, Hemlock! Will you stop?!" Esabel retorted before the young man's words had time to settle. "You know, for a man who openly proclaims himself as a Defender of Damsels or whatever, you do have a way of belitting the female nature."

"What!" Hemlock gasped on his feet. "I do not!"

"Well. . ." Esabel shrugged. The roll of her shoulders was enough tell and the young man's humor waned.