"Well, if they do, perhaps that will bring ease to those which lives he and his friends troubled."
Ithacles moved a shoulder and glanced down at her. That might have been a shrug. Or maybe he was just pushing himself further into the plush chair that embraced him.
"Are you still cold?"
"Yes Vedette, you'll remember that I'm a mortal, unlike yourself."
He laughed. He was kidding, obviously. But she did have a habit of doing outlandish things--like barrel charging a ready mage and his two friends. And walking down mountains with her coat draped over an arm. And then showing up dressed like a portrait, drinking white wine...
He took another gulp of cider.
"I wonder if there's a medal for running someone through with an icicle."