Liam gazed at the board, where Lias's pieces had cornered Joseph's into a hopeless mess. He snorted, flipping his dagger into the air and catching it.
"I told you not to bet against Lias, you thick-headed ape. Stick to breaking skulls—leave the thinking to him."
Julian laughed and grabbed a mug of ale from the table. "To the Archduke's finest," he said, raising it with a grin. "One's a genius, one's a drunk, one's a show-off, and one's… well, Joseph."
The Guardians erupted with laughter—Raphael toasting back, Lias smirking, Liam saluting with his dagger, and Joseph muttering curses under his breath.
gluck gluck
Julian chugged the last of his ale before slamming the mug down onto the table with a loud thud.
"Ahhhh, that hit the spot," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
