He gripped his hammer for balance, its head to the floor to take his weight to prevent him falling. The king spoke again but Handy didn’t hear it, his head bowed, he probably looked deferential but in reality he was just trying not to collapse, his other hand pushing against the ground to keep him steady. He was not sure how long he was like that, but when he had caught his breath, he realised he was being pulled up. An armoured griffon guard helped him back to his feet. The king was gone as the last of the servants cleared the dais and the hall. The courtiers and nobles milled about, chatting excitedly. “Sir?” The griffon asked.