Leech took his time, only standing up from the bathtub when the water grew cold.
He picked up a cloth and draped it over himself.
The advantage of short hair was that it dried quickly. With long hair, he would have to wrap it up every time he bathed to keep it from getting wet.
This world had no hair dryers.
An elegant aristocratic life and the tedious grooming it required were always intertwined.
So, to have flowing long hair, one had to accept spending a great deal of time each day arranging, oiling, and maintaining it. Leech had no desire to be a showy peacock. Short hair was perfectly fine.
A banquet was held at Three-fork River Castle, with a dozen or so nobles gathered together.
The seating arrangement was very particular. In reality, the banquet was intended to honor only two people: Philip of the Midnight Sun and Baron Porcupine, Leech.
The other nobles, mostly second sons, were not distinguished enough for this table, but Hawkwood didn't dare to be so exclusionary.
