The rules of polite society dictate that certain niceties must be observed at parties. One of the most very basic of these is that guests must greet their host. Joscelin thinks that Raymond is an opportunistic brute at best and a suicidally foolish one at worst (and has not exactly been quiet in his opinions, these past few weeks), but he still makes his way over to kiss the ring and play nice.

Raymond will get his due very shortly, but not now. Not with so many present.

"My lord," he says with a slightly haughty sneer and a short bow. "An excellent party, this. Well done."