Chapter 483: The Town's Ills, Corvin's Insensitive Comments
Lyria's POV
Baldwin chuckled, a low, rasping sound that seemed to come from somewhere deep within his chest.
"I like ye, Yer 'Ighness," he said. "Ye've a fire in ye, an' I ain't seen the like in a long while."
I inclined my head, though I confess I was somewhat taken aback by the compliment. "I a-ppreciate that, Baldwin."
He laughed again. "'Umble too, eh? Now that's a rare thing in a noble, if ye don't mind me sayin' so."
Before I could fashion a reply, his countenance shifted. The amusement faded from his weathered features, and he leaned back in his chair, his hands falling from the table.
"Now then," he said, "surely ye've all seen the state o' the town fer yerselves. The storm destroyed a good majority o' it, that much is plain enough. But even afore the storm, this town were already goin' downhill. We've suffered from bandit attacks afore, though we fought 'em off well enough. But that ain't the 'alf of it."
