"Well now," he said lightly.
"Everyone seems lively tonight."
No one laughed.
Several adventurers were staring directly at Bruce now.
Duke noticed.
His smile widened slightly.
"Ah."
He gestured lazily toward the man standing beside him.
"Allow me to introduce someone interesting."
Duke's voice carried easily across the guild hall.
The murmurs that had been spreading through the room gradually died down as more and more eyes turned toward the two figures standing near the center of the hall. Chairs scraped across the floor. Several adventurers rose from their seats, curiosity written openly across their faces.
Duke clasped his hands behind his back and looked around the hall with the easy confidence of someone who had done this countless times before.
"This," he said lightly, gesturing toward Bruce, "is Bruce."
The name itself did not immediately cause a reaction. For many in the room, it meant nothing.
Duke seemed entirely aware of that.
He continued calmly.
