yarrr, ye scurvy boy-king, halt ye whinin'

I was still brooding over this question when I heard a polite tap outside the tapestry, and a moment later, there was the equally quiet impact of a boot heel on the new tile floor, then another.

A weird feeling prickled down my spine, and I twisted around to face the Marquis of Shevraeth, who stood just inside the room. He raised his hands and said, "I am unarmed."

I realised I was glaring. "I hate people creeping up behind me," I muttered.

from Court Duel by Sherwood Smith