Vaclav doesn't crack a smile. He cracks something closer to a wince. But why wouldn't he wince about Mermaid's Tit in front of fine company? No one pays his unschooled expression any attention. Eirene's focus is on Helena, her pen pausing as she considers whether there might be any downsides to this agreement.
The consideration is for show. It doesn't matter what she agrees to. If the land and its lyrium existed, and on arrival they needed to do something explosive near the winery, they would. But there's no need to sully the bargaining by drawing attention to the fact that it's all a polite fiction.
Having considered, she says, "That's reasonable," and moves to make a note, incorporating it into the agreement she's narrating. Accommodations for workers; a fixed price for access well water while they're there. The end is so close, a handful of clauses away, when the sirens sound.
It doesn't matter that he's been waiting for it. Vaclav startles, twisting in his chair to look at the door with sincere interest in the sounds from the hallway. That it hides any insincerity in his face from Eirene is only a side benefit.
"Shit," Eirene says, then, "Sorry," to her company. She hesitates over the paper. They're truly so close—so, as hoped and planned, she doesn't tell them they'll have to finish later. She stands while gesturing for them to stay seated. "I'm sure it's a false alarm. I'll be back shortly. Sellanus?"
Both of the guards move to go with her. But only one of them can reasonably be named Sellanus—otherwise they'd be Sellani, wouldn't they—and Vaclav's stomach is already sinking.
Sure enough, Eirene holds up a hand.
"Wait here, Davan," she says.
Leaving her old friend Vaclav alone in her office before, that was one thing. Leaving Vaclav and two strangers appears to be another. Maybe it's meant for his benefit; as Eirene walks past him she lays a hand on his shoulder, a friendly and fleeting parting gesture, and he hopes that the sirens are enough of an excuse for how strained his answering smile is.
She's quickly gone. Which leaves them only almost alone with the door. Davan, looking a bit rebellious at having been ordered to stay behind, leans against the wall just beside it and eyes them in silence.
hi sorry
The consideration is for show. It doesn't matter what she agrees to. If the land and its lyrium existed, and on arrival they needed to do something explosive near the winery, they would. But there's no need to sully the bargaining by drawing attention to the fact that it's all a polite fiction.
Having considered, she says, "That's reasonable," and moves to make a note, incorporating it into the agreement she's narrating. Accommodations for workers; a fixed price for access well water while they're there. The end is so close, a handful of clauses away, when the sirens sound.
It doesn't matter that he's been waiting for it. Vaclav startles, twisting in his chair to look at the door with sincere interest in the sounds from the hallway. That it hides any insincerity in his face from Eirene is only a side benefit.
"Shit," Eirene says, then, "Sorry," to her company. She hesitates over the paper. They're truly so close—so, as hoped and planned, she doesn't tell them they'll have to finish later. She stands while gesturing for them to stay seated. "I'm sure it's a false alarm. I'll be back shortly. Sellanus?"
Both of the guards move to go with her. But only one of them can reasonably be named Sellanus—otherwise they'd be Sellani, wouldn't they—and Vaclav's stomach is already sinking.
Sure enough, Eirene holds up a hand.
"Wait here, Davan," she says.
Leaving her old friend Vaclav alone in her office before, that was one thing. Leaving Vaclav and two strangers appears to be another. Maybe it's meant for his benefit; as Eirene walks past him she lays a hand on his shoulder, a friendly and fleeting parting gesture, and he hopes that the sirens are enough of an excuse for how strained his answering smile is.
She's quickly gone. Which leaves them only almost alone with the door. Davan, looking a bit rebellious at having been ordered to stay behind, leans against the wall just beside it and eyes them in silence.