“Yes,” Hector said before Leoh could speak. “The major will be leaving shortly.”
Again the tight grin pulled across Odal’s face. The waiter bowed and left.
“I’ve been thinking about our conversation of last night,” Odal said to Leoh.
“Yes?”
“You accused me of cheating in my duels.”
Leoh’s eyebrows arched. “I said someone was cheating….”
“An accusation is an accusation.”
Leoh said nothing-
“Do you withdraw your words, or do you still accuse e of deliberate murder? I’m willing to allow you to apologize and leave Acquatainia in peace.”
Hector cleared his throat noisily. “This is no place for an argument -.. besides, here comes our dinner.”
Odal ignored the Watchman, kept his ice-blue eyes fastened on Leoh. “You heard me. Professor. Will you leave? Or do you….”
Hector banged his fist on the table and jerked up out of his chair—just as the waiter arrived with a heavy tray of appetizers and soups. There was a loud crash. A tureen of soup, two bowls of salad, glasses, assorted rolls, cheeses, and other delicacies cascaded over Odal.
The Kerak major leaped to his feet, swearing violently in his own language. The restaurant exploded with laughter.
Sputtering back into basic Terran, Odal shouted, “You clumsy, stupid oaf! You maggot-brained misbegotten peasant-faced….”
Hector calmly picked a salad leaf from the sleeve of his tunic, while Odal’s voice choked with rage.
“I guess I am clumsy,” Hector said, grinning. “As for being stupid, and the rest of it. I resent that. In fact. I’m highly insulted.”