"Of course, it would mean that I, as well as your other retainers, would be forced to remain behind on this particular visit, which I must admit I am somewhat bitter about," Verdant said. From the look on his face, he did seem as bitter as he professed himself to be, but he still put Oliver's wants ahead of his own and laid out the plan that would suit him.
"You've mentioned that to me before," Oliver remembered with a grimace. "Sorry, Verdant… I'll make sure to bring you another time. I appreciate you making the concession for me."
"I understand, my Lord," Verdant assured him. "I confess, that I have wondered myself whether I should send you on such a trip. I know that you seem to feel far more endeared to that village than you do to the Academy. I had wondered, as things began to pick up, whether it would be good for your health to spend a weekend there. I am pleased that Lord Blackwell has seemingly forced our hand in that regard."
