" He accepted a cup of ale from his brother-in-law, sat back, then sighed. "Get on with the bludgeoning."
"Me?" Miach asked innocently. "Why would I bludgeon?"
Runach pursed his lips. "Because you are whoyou are, and you know Soilleir of Cothromaiche very well. I am continually appalled by the simialarites between the two of you."
Miach only watched his steadily, a small smile playing around his mouth. "You know what she is, don't you?"
"Who?"
"Aisling."
Runach shot him a look. "A girl, thank you. I haven't been so long at Buidseachd that I cant recognize one when I see one."
He finally leaned on his sword, and looked at his sister's husband.
"I'm biting. What is she?"
"A girl."
Runach growled. At least he thought he growled. It was difficult to tell what he was doing when all he wanted to do was wipe the smirk off Miach's face.
"You know," he said shortly, "you annoyed me when you were a lad. You haven't improved since then."
Runach looked over his shoulder to make sure no observant gel with shorn hair was standing behind him, eavesdropping with abandon, then leaned closer to his brother-in-law. "Let me lay out for you King Mochriadhemiach, all the problems that sit arranged pleasingly on a trencher before me. Perhaps then you can stop smirking long enough to examine them with me."
"You're testy. "

― Lynn Kurland , Dreamspinner (Nine Kingdoms #7)