Sanguine found Juli’s answer about her mother quite endearing, and made note of what she didn’t say as much as what she did. He would decide later how much of what she said could be believed. He was about to press the issue by asking more, when San heard the Gypsy’s chair slide abruptly back from the table.<br/><br/>Sanguine was on his feet in an instant, the chair behind him clattering to the ground and frightening Eyes so much she yelped. He was already in his battle stance with his hand once more on the hilt of his sword when he heard a sound come from above. For a moment, Sanguine imagined a wooden slat being slid from the floor above, archers all poised to rain hell down upon him and the Aserit royal family through archery slits in the ceiling. There would be no defense for it.<br/><br/>Had he really fallen into a trap along with Henrik and the rest of the Aserits?<br/><br/>True, Princess Juli was there as well, but based on the Queen’s previous attitude toward the Illegitimate Princess, San doubted she would shed many tears for her. Siren, San’s sword, Screeched as he began to draw it from the concentric metal rings that held the blade to his waist. But san stopped abruptly, as he felt something make contact with the top of his head.<br/><br/>San swiped at the air, the way a tiger strikes and snatched the small stone from the air. He quickly turned it over in his hands, feeling for a fuse or spring loaded blade. It seemed that it was nothing more than a stone. The Gypsy was taunting him, “poking the bear.“ San slid his sword back into it’s scabbard with disgust and ground his teeth together with his jaw tense.<br/><br/>Before, San had been worried that the gypsy would recognize him and be terrified. That he would wail and proclaim the bloody tales of his past exploits before the royal families of both kingdoms. Instead the gypsy wished to taunt him, apparently he believed that San was no longer a threat, that he was helpless to repay an insult, that he was incapable of disemboweling his enemies in their sleep. This Gypsy was<em>dead</em>wrong.<br/><br/>The hand on his blade was shaking as the Gypsy promised that his juvenile prank was just a warning. Though he couldn’t say it aloud in mixed company, Sanguine promised that warning was a privilege the Gypsy would not be granted when his time came.<br/><br/>Instead San, just stood there, hand on sword, seething with rage as the Gypsy whose voice San recognized as Zyel, the leader of the Gypsies moved to the stage and resumed his obnoxious pipe music. Zyel had a price on his head among the Bandits and Road-Agents, though the sum was far less than what Prince Henrik could afford, it was enough to justify the kill.<br/><br/>It wouldn’t be tonight, but eventually Sanguine would spill Zyel’s blood. The Gypsy had guaranteed that with one small pebble throw.<br/><br/>"My apologies, to Your Majesties." San muttered through clenched teeth as he picked his chair back up, returning to the table. "For some reason, the entertainment wishes for confict within this peaceful environment."<br/><br/>Sanguine's hands were still shaking with rage as he poured himself a gobblet of wine from the centrally located caraffe on the table.