But when he heard what Kel was saying to the women, he nearly choked, and had to work very hard indeed to keep a properly solemn expression, one in accordance with the gravity of the making of such an important treaty.
For Kel had some treaty ideas of his own.
“It isss good luck to ssscrrratch a grrryphon’sss crrressst,” Kel told the enraptured group.
“It is?” said the boldest of the lot - Hywel’s sister, if Darian recalled correctly. She reached out immediately and began gently scratching Kel’s outstretched head.
“Oh, yesss,” Kel sighed happily. “It isss well known; an old and trrreasssurrred trrradition!”