"You don't understand," he said. "Do you have any idea what it's like at court now that you're a legend?"
Lyan took a slow sip. "I am many things. 'Legend' is your word, not mine."
"Oh, please." Will rolled his eyes. "You vanish for years, reappear as Lord Miracle–Mercenary, topple Hektor, save Grafen, build a model farm, and collect more terrifyingly competent women than most men see in a lifetime. There are ballads."
"There are exaggerated stories," Lyan corrected.
"Stories," Will said flatly, "in which, according to three separate taverns and one disturbingly detailed mural in the lower city, Our Lord Evocatore successfully entertained ten women in one night and then went to war at dawn."
Lyan set his mug down very carefully.
"I am going to find that mural," he said, "and correct their counting."
