Marcus sat at a desk, scribing. Russel almost yawned just watching him. It was so boring!
“What are you writing?” he asked, though he wasn't actually curious.
“I'm reviewing the law regarding livestock and wild animals.”
That was at least as boring as Russel expected. “Why?”
“So I can enforce it,” he answered, not looking up at his brother. “Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be banging some Princess?”
Russel scowled.“Yes, but she got away.”
Marcus gave a low chuckle. “Perhaps your wooing was less than exemplary.”
Russel glowered even more.
“You didn't actually rape her, did you? Couldn't you convince her-” Marcus cut off as one of Russel's daggers sunk into the hardwood of the desk. He clicked his tongue and pulled it out. “This is great grandfather's desk,” Marcus reminded his brother, “not a target dummy. Go outside if you want to throw knives.” He dropped it atop the desk, out of the way of his work.
“What would you know about Princesses?” Russel asked. He glanced across the room and saw his wife reflected in a sliver platter hanging on the wall. She wasn't in the fortress, though. He rose and made his way over to it.
