a big-boned man with a gaunt face , he had a disconcerting way of bringing home some half-pissed drinking companion who turned out to be the ruler of one of the northern cities ( whose husband came looking for her half way through the evening ) , or the head of a volaterran war band ( who had a fine light tenor voice , and refined taste in lyrical song ) , or a high ranking zilath of one of the port cities ( whose taste ran to bawdy , and engaged seianti in a bantering duet ) .