"Did I sound like I was joking?" Naiobe's fork pauses above her plate and she glances at him, shrugging. "I really wasn't. I can think of no better place for her than with my father's most prized hunting hounds." She smiles thinly at him, then sets her fork down. "I'm glad you enjoy  the meal." She pushes her wine aside and dabs at her mouth with her napkin. "I think I've had my fill." She didn't eat much, but who is he to call her a liar? She moves to stand. "A pleasure, Corwin, as usual."