“Holes? No, I suspect if there were holes in this cloak there would be holes in me as well, and then we’d have a serious problem on our hands. The Princess, seen with bloodied hands tending to some brigand, no doubt. The scandal!” Dabrose wanted to warm himself by the fire, really he did, but rarely did attempts on one’s life stop after the first one, especially here.

The Princess, meanwhile, stifled a grin at Dabrose’s attempts at levity. “Good. The Captain will get a good cloak in trade. Now come on, before someone sees.”

“Sees your constant attempts to steal my cloak? Yes, that’s more scandalous than getting blood on your hands.” Dabrose strode to his horse. “Anyway I like this cloak. It’s brought me good luck.”

The Princess frowned. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

“My dear, someone just tried to shoot me with a crossbow. I think it would be best if I declined your offer of a fire and made my way to somewhere a little quieter.”

“But I’d hoped you’d stay a while.”

“Not this time, Princess.”