“My word.Youraised your voice?How did you show your face again?”Sage asked, a smile teasing at the corner of his mouth.
“I’m only saying that I’m hardly a paragon of perfection.You’ll recall that I was somewhat peevish to Emrys only days ago.”
“I most certainly do not recall any sort of peevishness.Merely a slight deviation from your usual amiability.And it sounds to me like you only get agitated on behalf of others.”
“That is the usual case for my anger, though not always.”Sage rolled his eyes.Conrad nudged him.“Admit it.Admit that I’m bothered by things.”
“An absurd admission by any standard.And no I won’t.”He nudged Conrad back.“I shall remain unconvinced until you lose your temper at the sort of things that irritate me—too much cheeriness, a potential mud splatter, or perhaps a prolonged evening of singing.”
Conrad barked out a laugh at the very thought.
A few heads turned at the sound.Keelan gave a very unsubtle grin and Roger looked surprised.Torquil swam over to cross their arms on the edge of the dock, appearing quite pleased.
“We should do this more often,” they said, resting their cheek against their arms.“Everyone is so relaxed today.”
As if to prove this point, Emrys came up as well and wrapped his arms around Torquil’s waist.“Am I dreaming or did I just hear someone laugh at a joke by Sage Ravenwing?”
Sage rolled his eyes.
“Sage is very witty,” Conrad told him.
Emrys gave a look of incredulity.
“I believe it,” Torquil said.
“You do?”Emrys asked them.
“Of course.”
“He is one of the best at solving riddles,” Conrad added with a sidelong grin at Sage.
Emrys glided away to tease Keelan.Torquil stayed where they were.“Cyril was suggesting we try a boating race sometime, but I don’t think I’m up to that particular challenge,” they said in a conversational tone.
“Nor I,” Conrad said.“I’ve been around boats all my life, but I cannot be trusted to steer one.”
“I will certainly not be participating in that,” Sage agreed.
Torquil flashed a smile.“Well, I’m glad I’d be in good company then, if it happens.Apparently Roger is old hat at the game.And he’s usually my co-conspirator in this sort of thing.”
“Any race needs commenters and judges,” Conrad said.
“NowthatI would love to see,” they said in a delighted tone before swimming away sedately.
“You really can join them, you know,” Sage said quietly once they were alone again.
“I can’t.I have to sit here and practice commentary with you.Who is the most graceful swimmer?”
Sage hummed.“That would be a tie between Wyndham and Torquil.”
“The best jump?”
“You.Obviously.”
“Very kind,” Conrad said in a posh voice that made the corners of Sage’s mouth quirk.“But I’m afraid I shall have to excuse myself from the running.Who else?”
“Silas.”
They continued on amiably, exchanging observations of each member of the group.Conrad noted with relief how Sage’s tone grew gradually more light.But the gentleman’s stiff posture still left something to be desired.He glanced around his surroundings and began formulating a plan.
