I’m very pleased with your performance today.” “ ‘I’m very pleased with your performance today,’ ” Baji mimicked when Altan had left. “Someone tell him to get that stick out of his butt.” Ramsa leaned back on his elbows and nudged Rin with his foot. “Was he this insufferable at the Academy?” “I don’t know,” she said. “I didn’t know him well at Sinegard.” “I bet he’s always been like this. Old man in a young man’s body. You think he ever smiles?” “Only once a year,” said Baji. “Accidentally, in his sleep.”
