"An award, eh?" Oliver mused. "Are there Serving Class men amongst them, then?"
Faced with such a question, Tolsey immediately stammered, as he recognized the falseness in what he'd said. "W-well, I'm sure there would be, if this were any other occasion, but they are to receive awards from the High King himself. That is a privilege only afforded to the nobility. Lord Blackwell will award his Serving Class men himself – and he has, already."
"Hm…" Oliver murmured thoughtfully.
"I would put the same to you, Ser Patrick," Tolsey said, regaining some of his composure by attacking with the initiative. "I would have thought that you would wish to meet with Lord Blackwell before we arrive in the Capital."
"Hm? Why would I need to do that?" Oliver said, instantly dismissing the notion.
