"No," Alcuin confirmed. "So I told you I was a sort of... spy? It was no accident, the man who won. Anafiel chose the guests, he knew who would likely go the highest. Bouvarre had information, important information... He asked for me, again and again, and every time I got a bit closer to answers. But I... I grew to despise him, over time." He did not say why. It was not just one thing, and he certainly did not want to go into details. "It is also customary for Servants of Naamah to receive patron gifts, on top of the price - these gifts go to the discharge of our debt to a House or to whoever owns our marque." He knew that he was using words he had not explained yet to Vax, but he continued with the story. "Every time, Bouvarre shirked such payment. It was not in his interest for me to make my marque, it would mean that I might not see him again. Finally, I played my hand, refused to see him for months - and when he could stand it no more he asked for my price. I told him I would see him once more, in exchange the information I sought and the remaining price of my marque."