“My lord, I would be happy to give my service,” Handy replied, bowing again. He couldn’t pick out which voices behind him sounded the most alarmed. He noticed Desunt’s voice behind him, but he didn't sound too outraged at least. He made a note of that. He rose back up, and Joachim extended his forelegs forward. It was tradition that when someone was to be welcomed back into fold, whether they were exiled, or had taken leave for one reason or another, innocent or shameful, they had to be literally welcomed back into the fold. In this case, it meant a hug. Handy had forgotten about this part.