“And remember to look them in the eye to show you mean business,” Garik’s aunt tells him as they near the front gate of the Wainwright estate, “but don’t glare at them. You tend to do that.”

“I’ll do my best.” The half-orc sighs.

“This was your idea, so please take this seriously.” Adeline continues her lecture, “Don’t ruin this opportunity over something trivial. That girl must’ve gone through a lot convincing them to meet with us.”

Steps away from the gate, Garik stops. He places a fist over his heart and recites an oath in his native language and repeats the same for his aunt to hear. This seems to put her at ease, at least temporarily.

It has been a week since Garik had last visited the enormous grounds of the most influential family in town. Unlike the last time he was here, there are two well-dressed guards manning the front gate as they arrive.

“Garik Embereye I presume?” a female guard in her 30s asks, though it is clear she already knows the answer. Garik nods and she motions to the younger guard. “Get a cart and take Mr. Garik and his guest to the main house.”

The younger guard heads towards a nearby stable and returns with a small carriage pulled by two white-coated horses. He gets out and helps Adeline into her seat. Garik follows her and trips while trying to climb in. He falls in his seat with a thud that briefly startles the horses.

“Uhh, sorry about that,” the half-orc says to the driver once he has calmed them down.

Once that is settled, they make their way towards the house.

“A word of warning for your meeting with Lord and Lady Wainwright,'' the driver says once they are on their way, “Please be sure to address them as such unless they say otherwise. Display proper etiquette when meeting with them, and,“ he pauses for a second, “do not discuss the matter of your first time meeting Miss Wainwright.” 

He looks out the corner of his eye back towards Garik, “That last one was a request from Miss Wainwright herself.”

“I’ve already heard this. It’s fi-“ Garik is interrupted by an elbow to his side.

A few minutes go by, and they reach the main house. “Thank you for escorting us to your lord’s estate. I’ll assure you that we will be on our best behavior,” Adeline says while offering the guard a silver coin. 

The guard takes it with a smile, gives her a nod, and heads back to the gate with more vigor than before. Adeline is the head receptionist at the most popular inn in Varden. Quite a few travelers and locals alike claim to stop by just to see her at the front desk. Garik figures if anyone he knows will be able to help him appeal to the influential family, it is her.

I’m glad she’s here with me. Garik thinks to himself.

Before either of them knocks on the door, Nilas, the butler who had previously denied Garik entry, opens it for them. Garik flashes him a toothy smile as the unnerved man lets them in.

“W-Welcome,” he clears his throat, “our esteemed guests, to the Wainwright Manor. Allow me to escort you to where you will be meeting my lord’s family.”

Adeline effortlessly expresses gratitude to the butler with the same formal speech he is using while Garik stifles a laugh upon noticing the man looking everywhere but at him. 

Nilas leads the two down a large corridor and into a meeting room with a long, rectangular table at the center. Halfway along the table, a single name tag labeled “Guest” marks Adeline’s place. A similar tag with Garik’s name sits far on the opposite end. They take their seats and Garik’s aunt gives him some last-second encouragement while they wait for the hosts to arrive. 

Garik looks across the table at the five empty seats opposite of him. Counting on his fingers, he asks, “Aren’t there only supposed to be five people here?” Before he gets an answer Nilas appears at the doorway again. 

“Allow me to introduce Lord Virgil and Lady Rosaria, as well as Miss Venice Wainwright.” 

The two heads of the household enter the room with their daughter trailing behind them. Each of them is dressed in fine formal wear, but, like Venice on the last day she saw Garik, their clothes are not too gaudy. Virgil and Rosaria take their places at the head of the table, and Venice sits close by them, giving Garik a small wave as she settles in.

Just as the lord of the house stands up to speak, Nilas continues, “and also joining us today will be Sir Vikar and his guest.”

A man in his sixties enters. Unlike the rest of the hosts, his demeanor and dress radiate an aura of superiority. Behind him is a man dressed in a blue hooded robe that masks all of his features. The older man gives a respectful nod to everyone as he saunters to one of the empty seats. The mystery guest bows to the ruling family, but keeps silent.

Lord Virgil looks towards the people who had just entered. “Pardon me, dear uncle. I did not know you would be attending this meeting. This is just a meeting our daughter organized with her friend here, I saw no need for you to be present.” Garik and his aunt exchange a quizzical glance at each other at that statement.

“Well then, I suppose I’ll be the judge of that. As for why I am here, I just happened to hear about this meeting earlier today. I am quite interested in what your friend has to say,” Vikar adds while looking at Venice. “Please excuse my guest here. He is also here to observe.” The shrouded man places his hands together and nods.

Virgil turns to the guests. “Greetings and salutations to you both. Before we begin, I’d like to start by giving my most humble thanks to our guest Mr. Embereye here for what he has done for our daughter.” He looks towards Venice, “Although she remains secretive of the circumstances, we are grateful all the same.” He then motions Adeline and Garik to stand and speak. 

“Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful home,” Adeline starts, giving the Lady a look which she returns with a smile, “and for the chance to meet with you today, '' she says with a bow and looks to Garik to do the same. 

“Oh yes, thank you too,” Garik says while hastily bowing down.

Vikar clears his throat loudly. “Perhaps we should allow our guest to state why he is here today?”

“Ah, yes. Please proceed.” Virgil gives Garik the floor to speak.

Giving a silent prayer to his ancestors, Garik stands once again and starts his speech.

He begins. “Well as you know, I helped Veni- Miss Venice out with a problem, and to repay me, she would try to get me a meeting with you,” Garik pauses, “I want to talk to you about the situation between Varden and my tribe.”