Update from Darryl

I am through chapter 8, and am enjoying it more than anticipated.  I am not taking the time to look up all the words I don't know and likely am missing many subtle meanings, but there is just too much of that stuff (for example, "this Beast has the head of a serpent, ah, and the body of a libbard..."  Now what the hell is a libbard?  Turns out to be archaic for leopard, but that is the only word I have looked up so far.  It would slow me down too much if I stopped for all these bizarre words and references, and I just don't care enough about falconry or jousting to research.  Instead I simply guess based on context and move along.  Still enjoyable though, the writing is good.