A rather short, gray haired man with a monocle and a neatly trimmed mustache was accompanying Gera and Sain as they gathered their things from the colorless dorms while their master talked to Sain nearly incessantly in an attempt to curry favor. Sain almost found it funny as he gathered what little clothing he had and a few extra possessions. Gera had a little more to bring but ultimately they had lived very meager lives up to this point, and excess baggage was a burden. If there was work to be done it was the master's duty to provide the tools so aside from a few sets of common coarse clothes and a few trinkets it was quickly dealt with. Outside, a carriage waited for them and the short gray haired fellow, along with Reazon and Rhyme, although the old master didn't know that or he would likely be trying to lick the gray haired man's boots.
"Is that everything, you two?" the mustached man asked the pair as they finished gathering their things.
"Yes, Master Donavin." Gera replied with a deep curtsy.
Donavin had been introduced to the two of them shortly after Sain had made his choice to remain in Sylvatica. When the old butler had entered the room and seen Sain abed, the old man had rushed over and with a deep bow and very formal salut had introduced himself.
"It is an pleasure to be in the service of your family once again, young Master Sain! If your departed mother and father were here I am sure they would have shed tears of joy at the sight of you! Such a fine young man you have grown into! Head butler Donavin, formerly of the house of Ream, currently under the employ of house Lough, at your service!"
The welcome had been so exuberant and heartfelt that tears had come to the old butler's eyes. Now he held a professional air and a strictness about himself as he continued to deal with their former master.
"Are you sure all you need are these two colorless, good sir? I have many useful items for a noble house such as the one you are employed! in I also have a supply of more exotic goods that you won't find anywhere else in Sylvatica!" The portly old master commented as he focused his full attention on Donavin.
"No Bernase, I am quite certain of the Master's orders. Two of our colorless died and need replacing at the manor. The head maid, Zolleta, would be quite upset if I did more than my official duties while out and about on the Master's business." Donavin replied with a professional bow before continuing, " However, I will mention it to my Master that you possess such oddities in case he feels inclined to come and peruse the wears of your establishment!"
Leaving the two men behind, Gera and Sain came to the carriage where a man with silky black hair and a youthful face nodded to them before opening the door and allowing them entry. Reazon and Rhyme sat inside on one of the cushioned benches, Reazon's staff leaning over his shoulder as he perused a book of some kind. Looking up, Reazon gestured for them to take any seat they liked and then went back to his book.
Both Gera and Sain felt that the air in the carriage was incredibly uncomfortable. Neither had ever really been afforded such a luxury, as colorless were often forced to walk behind their Master's carriage. To break the nervous tension in the air, Sain cleared his throat and decided to ask Reazon some questions about their destination.
"So you're sure this Lough fellow would be willing to help us here? Didn't you say it was incredibly dangerous to be involved in this?" Sain asked across the seat as he looked at Reazon.
"Oh it is dangerous, but Lough will help us, although he is likely to grumble and complain and claim to do so as grudgingly as possible. Still, he owes me some favors as I helped him get out of more than one tough situation in the past." Reazon replied reassuringly.
"Also it is actually much safer to go to Lough about this, as he has almost no connection to your family and is known as an... eccentric" Rhyme said, deliberately dragging out his description of the man.
"The point is, he is a retired Gardener who has enough dislike for the Tower Master to be willing to shelter someone that he is looking for. Also, his social position is stable enough to let him get away with scandal without affecting his reputation." Reazon continued.
"Oh come on, his reputation is more his infamy, don't you agree Reazon?" Rhyme interjected.
"Infamy?" Gera asked looking again concerned.
"It is nothing to worry about. Lough just has a... few difficulties in expressing himself well. He is rather blunt... and short tempered. Either way he is a good man who has been dealt some rough cards in life." Reazon tried to reassure the pair of them as they got more nervous the more he described his friend.
As Reazon tried to assure them, Donavin entered into the carriage and sat down with a sigh. As he did so, there was a soft crack of a whip outside and the carriage pulled away from the dorms.
"I hate dealing with these merchant types," Donavin said with mild exasperation. "They are always looking to improve their station either politically or economically. They just can't help from talking your ear off in the attempt."
"Good work, Donavin." Reazon said gently to the old butler. "Now all that is left is to get Lough to accept the terms."
Rather than looking assured, Donavin gave another sigh and began to massage his temples. Sain and Gera looked at each other and continued to worry as the Carriage made its way through the busy streets bordered by crystals that later would give a soft purple glow to fight off the dark of the evening.
****
Sain, Gera, Reazon, and Rhyme all stood in front of a dilapidated manor; Donavin having taken the carriage to be parked around the back. The lawn was overgrown, and the walls of the abode looked like they could use a scrub and a fresh coat of paint. Taking his staff in one hand, Reazon reached into his robes and pulled out a glass bottle full of liquid in the other before rapping on the door with his staff. After a pause of complete silence on the other side of the door, Reazon rapped on the door again. His efforts were again met with silence. With an exasperated sigh, Reazon took a brief inhale before shouting loudly at the building.
"I know you are in there Lough! I brought a round of Felmaze cordial, can't you even be bothered to have a drink with an old friend?" Reazon shouted at the seemingly empty house.
A short moment of silence passed before the sound of footsteps could be heard from the other side of the door. There was the sound of a deadbolt sliding back and the door was opened, revealing a man who appeared to be in his early forties with long salt and pepper hair, stubble growing on his face in an uneven manner as if he only partially trimmed it before losing interest. His robes were dirty and he smelled very strongly of alcohol, suggesting to everyone present he had been drinking, a hypothesis further strengthened by his bloodshot eyes. Upon seeing the guests at his door he paused, looking at Reazon, then the rest, then quickly shut the door and bolted it again.
"Lough!" Reazon called through the door exasperatedly.
"No thank you!" A gruff voice came through the door again. "I will have you know, life is very much troublesome enough as it is without you bringing along a new sort of trouble!"
"I am not bringing you trouble Lough, just-" As Reazon tried to respond the deadbolt opened once again, revealing the old man who quickly reached out and snatched the bottle from Reazon's hand in an instant, quickly bolting the door again.
"Almost forgot the Wine!" Lough's voice echoed through the door.
Sain and Gera simply looked at the scene unfolding before them while the serpent silently snickered at the way the introduction was progressing. Reazon let a small sigh as the sound of a cork coming out of a bottle was heard on the other side of the door. Taking a step back, Reazon turned to face the door once again before lifting his foot and delivering a swift kick that ended in a loud crash as the door was splintered, revealing a dust covered Lough with an open bottle of wine looking aghast at the group on his doorstep.
"Now then Lough, I believe it is time we sat down and had a chat. Really, how rude have you become when I don't visit for a few weeks!" Reazon said brushing off the dust on his robe.
"Me? Rude? You just kicked down ANOTHER door Reazon. Old Zoletta will have your hide!" Lough exclaimed without a hint of remorse before taking a swig of the bottle and letting out a satisfied sigh.
Sain and Gera just glanced at each other before turning to Reazon, who was shaking his head at the man in front of him while Rhyme turned to face the duo.
"Allow me to introduce Master Matthew Lough, Head and heir of house Lough of the nobility. Also, Reazon's elder cousin!" The Basilisk said with relish.