"I was just wondering if Ramus was... all right."
Marcus glanced at the elf standing next to him, furrowing his brow, "Yes, he is quite well given the circumstances. After his latest... outing, Ramus will now be focusing on fulfilling his responsibilities as the heir to House Allectus. This tavern-diving and whoring foolishness has gone on long enough, and I will have no more of it."
Stinging heat arose on Alban's cheeks, "I-uh... that's very good to hear, Lord Marcus. Er" he broke eye contact, looking about the foyer. His vision darted over the elf, who seemed to be staring straight at the wall. "Is Lady Alessia in?"
Marcus' face went completely vacant, then transitioned in a flash to pouty, almost overblown sorrow. "I'm afraid she is bedridden at the moment, some kind of coughing sickness. Ever since Corvus left, it's always been one ailment or another. It truly broke her spirit."
"Yes. I'm sorry." Alban looked again at Marcus, struck by his sudden openness. He'd been friends with Ramus for so many years, and in turn became well acquainted with Marcus' usual stoic denial.
"That reminds me, I must administer her medicine. I will let Ramus know you came by to visit... and send your family my regards."
"Of course, Magister Allectus." He watched Marcus ascend the stairs, disappearing into the bowels of the manor. The elf seemed to come to life as soon as Marcus was out of sight, brushing the black hair out of his eyes and greeting Alban with an awkward smile.
"Ramus will be greatly pleased to hear you came by, my lord." He began to walk passed Alban, trying to escort him to the door.
"Beg pardon. I don't believe we've been properly acquainted."
The elf spun around on his heel, clasping his hands together, "Oh! I am Nerva, Enchanter--erm, formerly ench--"
"Oh yes, from the Circle. I think I've heard of you. How is it that you came to serve Magister Allectus?"
"Well, if you can believe it, I had found Lord Ramus in the aftermath of his... celebration. He was quite incapacitated, in a dreadfully seedy part of town, no less. When I returned him safely to the manor, Magister Allectus offered to take me as an apprentice. I am working to become an assistant in his legal duties, and then for his son Ramus when he comes to inherit the position."
"I see. Are you no longer with the Circle, then?"
The smile went crooked on one end, as Nerva tapped a finger on the back of his hand, "My position within the Circle became, er, complicated. I needed to break away from that environment. Here, with Magister Allectus, I have been granted patronage by an upstanding member of the community. It's good work; honest, a real community service. It would get so suffocating, being esoteric for the sake of it in the old tower. Now I'm out, in the world, an- forgive me, I do have a habit of prattling on."
Alban gave a forced chuckle, "Not at all friend. I hope I was not intrusive."
"Not at all." Nerva looked sheepishly at the staircase, "I'll see if I can convince Lord Marcus to let poor Ramus out of his studies the next time you visit."
"I would appreciate it." For an uncomfortably long moment, they smiled at each other. "Well, I should be getting along."
"Of course, Lord Alban. Until next time."
Alban watched over his shoulder, until the door closed over Nerva's face. He paused, looking toward the window of the master bedroom, obscured by the closed drapes. But the drapes were never closed. He turned back around, and spotted a slave across the road, looking intently at that same window while trying to load a cart at the same time. Their eyes met, and immediately the slave walked off. A prickling across the back of his neck. Something was not right.