Devin, by contrast, knew exactly what was wrong with the challenge he laid - but in a classic example of conscious stupidity, he was doing it anyway.

The smile that curled up the corners of his mouth was both genuinely amused and shaded by something darker. "That could have used a little rehearsing, I think," Devin teased. "But yes, my very existence offends, you have your duty, etcetera, etcetera. Can we dispense with the ceremony?" He threw his arms out wide. "We have no audience but insects and birds. They don't care about your pretense at honor; name your terms and then get on with it."