The Duke was seated at his desk, busy jotting down figures on a ledger. He puffed on his meerschaum pipe. It was unique and carved into the shape of a dragon. The smoke rose from its end, perched at the edge of his lips.
Drawing another long breath from the stem, the burning tobacco imparted a harsh taste on his palate. As the vapor left his mouth, he watched it, mesmerized, as it curled around him in the air.
While he stared at the ledger. Sterling realized he had been gone too long. He hadn't had the chance to review the fortress's finances for weeks. It was a lot to take in and decipher as he was exhausted from the events of this evening.
Sterling closed his eyes and rubbed the side of his temples with his fingers. There were so many merchants and debts to be paid. He looked forward to a day when Faye would be competent enough to handle these types of tasks.
