Throwing the clothes he wore onto the ground, Horace took out his usual suit and carefully prepared himself. Cleaning his hands, he scraped the dirt out of his nails and groaned when he couldn't get it all. "Sir, we are ready for you." One of the operatives walked in, informing him, but ignoring the man, Horace carefully got every speck of dirt out.
The awkward silence lasted for five minutes until Horace was finally satisfied. He turned and followed him. Inside the adjacent room, his five men sat in silence. Taking his place at the desk, Horace poured himself a drink and downed the contents.
"Tell me, how is the Gardner?"
"He has begun to show early symptoms of illness. He should pass within the week. Plans have already been made to send his daughter back to the Empire." Horace nodded to the news and took a deep breath.
