At those words, Arwin's anger flared anew. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"So you've heard," he said sharply. "You know they dared to strike my son in my own city."
Aldric met his gaze unflinchingly and nodded slowly. "I have heard."
Arwin's fingers clenched around the edge of his desk. "They are arrogant," he declared. "A branch hall opens, and suddenly they believe themselves to be kings! They humiliate my son in front of citizens and Adventurers as if he were nothing more than trash. Do you understand what that means? They are testing me, they're inviting war."
Aldric raised a hand slightly not in disrespect but as a quiet request for calm.
His voice remained steady. "Arwin," he said, using the City Lord's name as an old friend might, "don't go looking for trouble with them."
Arwin froze as if struck dumb by disbelief. "What?" he asked slowly, shock mingling with anger. "What do you mean?"
