One of the advantages, or disadvantages, to getting older was less sensitive taste buds. Of course the alcohol still wafted into his nose and threatened to clear his sinuses, but he didn't react to the elixir as he once might have.

The last bit got a bit of a wry look out of the older Shield. Some shield he was, him and his king both dead. But... he mentally reminded himself that they'd made their peace and knew that night would be their last. Well, they'd calculated it would be, anyhow. And their sacrifice was for their children. He knocked back the third without a word before reaching for the fourth, no hesitation this time.

"To my son, who has made me prouder than any father in this world or any other." Clink, drink, and down.