‘Yeah, right. Asks,’ Handy thought to himself as he bowed his head once more before rising. He briefly let his eyes glance over the assembled griffons arranged around the dais. Some he recognised: the members of the king’s council, Shortbeak, the High Feather, and others beside, a few knights, the princess, her irksome silent guardian, and the High King. What he didn’t like were a few of the nobles currently standing in the gathering. More than a few looked smug or otherwise happy at his disgrace.