Terefar appeared at the door and spoke with Sir. Wishbone didn't even try to understand them. Several minutes later, Terefar returned with a tray. He set it down on the end table and disappeared behind the door to Sir's bedroom, whence came the sounds of him building up the fire.
The shih-aan picked up the bottle and the knife from the tray, examined and then peeled away the seal. After he extracted the cork, he poured a pale gold wine into one of a pair of glass goblets, tasted it, then took up the bottle again to fill them both. He handed one to Wishbone.
Wishbone expected Sir to say something, but he drank in silence. Finally, Wishbone took his own sip. The wine was thick, sweet, potent, and tasted of honey and roses. Terefar emerged from the room, bowed to Sir, and was dismissed.
"The fire will be hot," said Sir, gesturing with his goblet. "Join me."
Inside the room, they both drank again, then laid their glasses and the bottle on a table next to the bed. Sir sat down on a chair upholstered to match the one in the drawing room. He lifted a foot. Wishbone stood staring at him for a moment, then, feeling foolish, got down on his knees and hastily pulled the suede boot off of Sir's foot. The other boot required an extra tug. Wishbone stepped out of his own shoes and set them next to Sir's.
The room was paneled in dark...