"Do we have to include that boor Skull in our escort?" Lady Kirriam asked Sterling sweetly, all bubbling over with coy innocence. "I have a feeling he dislikes me very much. And if he doesn't now," here her grin turned startlingly wicked, "he will by the time I'm done with him!"
Sterling smiled with a wicked grin to match Lady Kirriam's own saying, "No, my lady, he doesn't have to join you at all! In fact, I will happily leave Skull to your tender mercies!"
"Uh, sir!" interrupted the Lieutenant, "I'm almost ready to go, I just have to get the retinue together and say good-bye to a good friend! You understand don't you sir?"
"I do!" said Sterling with a smile, "Take as much time as you need, Lieutenant. Lord Tolan still has a few cobwebs to clear out of his head, and by the time you return with their escort, he might be ready to travel."
"Thank you, sir!" replied the Lieutenant with a smile, as he disappeared through the tent flaps.
Looking at Lord Tolan and Lady Kirriam, Sterling sighed almost hopelessly, "He's a young Drow in love with a Human! What can you do?"
