[ When Claude realizes he's being watched, he straightens up and lets out a brief huff of laughter and a sheepish grin.]

Thank you. [ He snags the ale. He hadn't been drinking too much, caring more about keeping his wits about him, but now that the evening is winding down, he won't say no to an ale and a buzz nursed in the quiet privacy of his chambers. ] For the compliment and for the drink.

[ He takes a swig, grimacing at the taste. ]

Maybe that's why I can handle it. I've wrangled my fair share of drunken soldiers! What's good for morale isn't so good for the local innkeepers. Best trick in the book is to make sure that they think it was all their idea, not mine.