“It is because they cannot feed from me,” he said almost jovially as he reached the doorway. “Not even their Queen can suck so much as a morsel from my heart, and their magicks have no hold over me.” He fibbed the last bit, but hey, why not, right? He stopped before the door. “So I terrify them as a result. Knowing they could not take from me the help they sought, they paid me.” He placed the pendant back under his robe and took one last look around the saloon. “This pendant is the Queen’s own favour for my service.” Which he stole, but you know, details details. He looked back at the dog who had shouted at him. It didn’t look so cocky anymore. “That is why I smell like the Queen. Care to challenge me further, mutt? I put down an undying dragon. Do you think I would tolerate any nonsense from you?” His eyes narrowed.