Duncan stood tall as Gweneth began pacing around him as she spoke. His eyes roamed freely over her sensual body, noticing every curve every shift of fabric, every rustle of clothing as her long legs carried her gracefully. His eyes caresses the slender neck that perched her proud head and how her hair was placed precisely on it. He noticed the firmness of her breasts and the shape of her hips as he turned his head to follow her as she walked behind him. The hairs behind his neck prickled as he fought to turn fully around for he hated having his back to his enemies and worse  - women with a point to make. But he stood fast, turning his head to the left to catch her as she walked around to his front again. His eyes lingered south of her fine hips as she made her way back to her perch on the raised platform and sat herself down.<br/><br/>His eyes narrowed as she reached for the wine, half praying that someone, anyone, had tasted it before to make sure it was not poisoned. Not that he felt sorry if she'd drop dead -- well maybe a little for she'd make a fine night's worth of entertainment. But more importantly if she were to drop dead, it would mean he was short 300 gold and that didn't sit well with him.<br/><br/>"What makes me better?" he smiled to himself.<br/><br/>"What makes me better is what non of your other "guards" posses, My Lady."<br/><strong>"Skill."</strong>He smiled as he left it to her imagination.<br/><br/><em>Skill to rival any lover you ever took to your bed Lady...</em>he thought to himself, but didn't say it. Perhaps she heard it anyway in his voice or his smile.<br/><br/>"A sword stuck in one's breaches does not make one a soldier and being an ex soldier does not make one a Guard, my Lady. Your "Guards" are nothing more than armed distractions for any would be assassin. Perhaps that is what you pay them to be?" He smiled.<br/><br/>"A REAL Guard is one who can spot the archer in the rafters yonder" - he nodded to his left and above at the almost invisible shadow  perched on top of the wooden archway that lead to another room. The Guard had done well to conceal him or herself but not from the tiny spec of light that shun on the arrow tip of his half strung bow. If not for the fact that the arrow was pointing at him and not her, his throwing knife would already have found it's mark in one of the shadow's eye sockets.<br/><br/>Duncan watched the reaction on Gweneth's face as he pointed out the hidden "ace". Annoyance might have touched her lips but was soon replaced with the emotionless look again.<br/><br/>"I am worth 300 gold because you know that I am good and that my word is my bond. A deal made with me, is a deal set in stone for you can rest assured that my loyalty cannot be bought by a higher bidder, my Lady.<br/><br/>He glanced down at her fingers as she sat there. Noticed how well groomed they were and how well they were painted. She had an almost regal aura about her, if not for that hint of arrogance that seem to touch her face as she sat there.<br/><br/><br/>