"I reached for the fox first, and I was about to pay for it when you took it from the table. The old man asked for three silver, which I was perfectly willing to give him. If you want the carving so badly, you can have it. There is no need to make a spectacle over something so trivial."
For a moment, the young man simply stared at him.
Then he laughed.
"You really think this is about the carving?"
Jolthar's smile remained unchanged.
"I was beginning to wonder."
"You should be grateful that I am even speaking to you."
The young man's gaze swept over Jolthar's plain coat and dusty boots once more.
"A man of your standing should know better than to argue with his betters. You were given the opportunity to walk away with some dignity, yet here you are, still running your mouth."
Jolthar said nothing.
The young man mistook his silence for submission and grew bolder.
