" So they sit like overfed fowl and watch Galdran Merindar break the Covenant by making secret pacts to sell our woods overseas?” I retorted.
He paused in the act of reaching for the camp jug. “Break the Covenant? How do you know about that? I don’t recall you’ve ever been to Court.”
Tell him about Azmus, and the intercepted letter, and have him send minions to make certain both disappeared? No chance. “I just know. That’s all you need to know. But even if it weren’t true, Debegri would still go up to take the County of Tlanth by force. Can’t any of you Court people see that if it happens to us, it can happen to you? Or are you too stupid?”
“Possibly,” he said, still with that dispassionate amusement. “It’s also possible your…somewhat misguided actions are inspired by misguided sources, shall we say?”
“Say what you want,” I retorted. “It’s not like I can duff off in a huff if you’re impolite.”
He laughed softly, then shook his head. “I ought not to bait you. I apologize.”
The implication seemed pretty clear: Soon enough I’d have a hard time of it. The prospect silenced me.
He didn’t seem to notice as he brought out the jug and then poured two mugs of steaming water. A moment later he opened a little bag and brought out dried leaves, which he cast into one mug. Another bag provided leaves for the other mug. The wonderful scent of tea wafted through the air. I did not recognize the blend--or blends. Instinct made me sigh; then I realized I’d done it and wished I hadn’t.
The man came around, set a cup down by my hand. “Are you very uncomfortable?”
“Does it matter?” I said, and wrapped my chilled hands around the cup--which was not of the battered metal I’d expected, but very fine ceramic. Exquisite gilding ran round the lip, a stylized braid of argan leaves.
“Whether it does or not, you shall have a better conveyance on the morrow,” he said. “Drink your tea and sleep. We shall continue our discourse when you have had some rest.”
I couldn’t resist one more crack. “Is that a promise or a threat?”
He just smiled. "

― Sherwood Smith , Crown Duel (Crown & Court, #1)