27
Stefan was seated near the end of the bar, away from the other drinkers, working his way stolidly through tankards of ale and talking in a low voice to his father when he was not otherwise engaged in serving customers. He was also keeping a weather eye on the little table of two sorcerers, a mage and a shapeshifter.
“When can we meet them?” Sheldrake was asking, sipping from his fourth glass of wine. He leaned forward, his eyes lit with alcohol and enthusiasm. “They sound fascinating. I can’t wait to meet them.”
Stefan frowned but Maud, oblivious to his gaze, just smiled and shook her head. “Please excuse my husband, Lord Tarkyn. He doesn’t mean to make them sound like scientific specimens. Believe me, he uses all of us, even my son and me, to further his knowledge of magic.”
Sheldr
