Lenally’s reaction to the story was almost exactly as Sanguine expected, full of wonder and excitement. She hadn’t witnessed the scale of carnage he was describing, the gurgling wails of grown men as they tried to stuff their entrails back into their bodies. She hadn’t smelled the stench of two day old dead bodies, baked in the sun and caked in their own shit.<br/><br/>That was a major part of her appeal.<br/><br/>There was some part of Sanguine that appreciated Lenally’s innocence, her naive outlook on war, and her brazen recklessness. He wanted badly to protect and preserve that innocence, but it wasn’t his to protect. Lenally was a girl, and therefore viewed as little more than a bright-eyed bribe to the wealthy Aserits, not that the Theirians were any better.<br/><br/>Just then, Gerrard made his way over to them. San knew him already by his scent, that putrid stench of testosterone, pheromones and dried cum. Gerrard was no innocent, and San resented the way that he talked to Lenally, but Gerrard was heir to the Theiri throne and therefore untouchable for the likes of Low-Born Sanguine.<br/><br/>“Actually no, neither Princess Lenally nor Princess Juli has mentioned a single word about you.” San said through a fake smile, cast up in the direction of Gerrard’s voice, reaching out to shake his hand. “I am pleased to meet you, none the less. I am Sanguine LeChance, hired sword for Prince Henrik and the kingdom of Aserit.”<br/><br/>“No, your Majesty, I would not wish to inflict my presence on the dance floor on any of you either.” San chuckled in reply to Gerrard’s comments. “But by all means, enjoy.”<br/><br/>Eyes growled and pinned her ears flat against her skull as Lenally was forcefully pulled away. The wolf had been perfectly content to let her new young friend scratch her belly, and now this stinking man had pulled her away. Even the people gathered could see it was against the young Princess’ wishes. The fact that he, as heir had the right to do so was not a concept that a wolf could comprehend.<br/><br/>As Lenally was dragged out to the dance floor, San did his best to ease the wolf’s tension and refilled his goblet with wine. He had to feel with the carafe to find the lip of Henrik’s glass, but he’d remembered the Prince mentioning the problem of emptiness being present within the goblet.<br/><br/>“It appears that we’re the only ones left, Princess Juli.” San remarked, leaning back in his chair and offering the carafe in Juli’s direction. “Would you care for some wine to toast with?”