"That is very good", he heard Valerion continue. "I'd say that there is nothing as important to a sorcerer than the ability to channel all of their being towards their task, and you definitely have it, Adrien - you definitely do", he said with a broad smile, his hands on his knees.

Laughing, Adrien moved his hair in front of his face, trying to conceal his redness. "Ah -- aw -- too many compliments, sir".

"Sir!", Valerion exclaimed.

"Sorry, your majesty", Adrien laughed.

The sorcerer Valerion laughed with him; then he continued, his tone calm. "Anyway, I'm sorry; I didn't know there was a shortage".

"A shortage of what?".

"A shortage of compliments", Valerion replied with a grin.

Adrien burst into a snorting, discomposed sort of laughter. "You hadn't heard?", he said between one giggle and the other, "There's a town where they have become so rare -- where they have become so rare, they are no longer complimentary; you now have to... pay the compliments".