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ith the introductions done, there was a moment of silence between all of them. Tristan and Hart had quickly voiced their desire to learn more about Thet's language, something Sin appreciate more than they probably knew. The fact that the little sister hadn't so much as acknowledge the existence of the deaf man didn't surprise Sin in the slightest. When faced with people like her, Sin often wondered how certain people managed to be born in certain families. Between Hart and Tristan, Sin figured he'd found the most laid back and down to Idalos nobles he could find. In their sister, Sin had found the poster child of noble abuse in the world.The six mercenaries watched the Venoras silently as they discussed a creature called Mistral and how it would cost lives to retrieve toothpaste from it. Atolini seemed to take great pleasure in putting them down during her speeches. He tried to keep up with the back and forth between the nobles so that Thetfretr could follow as well but he had to give up rather quickly. While capable of holding a conversation, Sin was nowhere near as skilled enough to interpret a live conversation between three people he didn't know about a subject he hadn't prepped for. He quickly signed an apology towards the young man, who signed his understanding back. Sin promised he'd tell him the rest later.
Sin focused back on the conversation just in time to hear Atolini's tirade on slaves being lower than animals and how much higher Hart stood above them. Somehow, Sin couldn't imagine the friendly young man standing above anyone. Then again, he was a noble by blood and face so who know what sort of a person lived behind the friendly face he shared with Tristan. He didn't know his men well enough to know how they'd react to the girl's words but he knew enough etiquette to know when not to turn his attention away from a woman. He just had to hope that between Aukey's experience and wisdom and Iemes' knightly training they'd be able to keep the other three in check.
The conversation turned back to more useful things as Tristan invited them into a sitting room. As expected, the room was far more lavish than anyone would ever need but when all three Venoras and all five of Sin's guards were in the room even the sitting room felt a little crowded. Tristan invited them in to sit but of the six of them, only Sintih took a seat. The rest of them spread out along the room so they were in view of the duke without crowding around the four of them. With every bit spent with the Duke, Sin's image of the man started to shape. That he enjoyed parties and enjoying himself had been clear from the many rumors. To see it affirmed by the wine and cake or cookies always in the presence of the Duke made Sin smile slightly. Sin was kind enough to accept a glass and toast with the Duke to an immortal who had only brought trouble in Sin's life so far.
Tristan explained why he'd taken Sin and company on while describing his situation to them at the same time. Between the RCA and the Alliance alone, Sin could understand the need for extra security. Having the locals want you out on top of that, Sin wondered why it had taken the Duke so long to get the security he needed. When he finished, Hart took over with some direct questions to the group of men gathered there. Sin looked from Hart to his team. He did his best not to linger to long on Aukey as he looked over them one by one. Magic was illegal in Rynmere and despite how the locals felt about it, the Eastern Settlements were still part of it. "Ser Hart, I'm sure you are well aware that magic is illegal in Rynmere." Sin spoke for the group, as was expected of him. "It wouldn't be good for the Duke's already difficult position if he knowingly hired mages in his employ, wouldn't it?" He left it at that. It was far from a real answer but it kept sides of the conversation safe from potential, literal, mage hunts.
"As for the immortals..." Sin turned back to his group, motioning for them to answer for themselves. Religion was not something Sin bothered much with. His men could pray to whomever they desired as long as they followed his orders when they were on duty. Gallien and Thetfretr both shook their heads. Iemes was less private about his religion. "I think Zanik's a good guy and he gets my prayers whenever I need his help." He winked in Atolini's direction as a testament to his devotion to the immortal of seduction. Sin groaned softly at the display and hoped neither of the Venoran men would take offense to it. Argun kept quiet as he simply stared at Sin. The Eídisi was smart enough to move on for now. Maybe one day the man would trust him enough to tell him.
Aukey was last and he looked from Tristan to Atolini and finally to Hart before speaking. "I met U'frek once. I didn't know it at the time but I figured it out later. I still don't know if he was there to meet me or if we simply traveled the same road but we spent a few trials together." Sin's eyes opened wide in surprise as he looked at the older mercenary. He'd actually walked next to an immortal? Impressive. Sin turned his attention back to the Venoras. "As you can see, nobody here works for an immortal. A few prayers here and there don't put the Duke's life at risk. I myself am not religious but if my house is burning down I'll ask Faldrun for any help he can give me and when the day comes that I'll breathe my last, I'll try and convince Vri to look the other way for a while."
Oh, and Aelig is my Father because I'm a Yludih... After having told, or rather shown, Saeri about his race, Sin had wondered how he felt about sharing his secret with others now. Seeing the three Venoras looking at him told him that he wasn't planning on sharing it any time soon. The fact that he prayed to Aelig was a secret on the same level as his true form. Perhaps one trial he would find himself blessed by the illusive immortal of illusion and he would have no choice but to openly proclaim his devotion. From what little he knew about immortal marks, Sin was sure his Father wouldn't give him such an obvious one.
