Brand smiled.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, Frank, but do you really think you could get in my way if I really wanted to do something bad right now? But we're not here to challenge one another. We're here to entertain the Empress. I doubt she's into gladiatorial games."<br/><br/>He looked over at the cat and smiled as he casually put an arm around Verisia's shoulders.<br/><br/>"Thank you for your generosity," he said. "I believe I will accept. Could you hand me that bowl of stew over there? I promise I won't eat you."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Yet.</span>