"Yes," Alcuin said quietly. "The money and the information." And that night had been less pleasant than all the others combined, but again, there was no need to burden Vax with the details.

"And then..." He looked a bit pained. "He had my carriage attacked on my way home. That was the source of my other scar. Stabbed. And I was not fortunate enough to have someone like you to help me. I nearly died. And..." It was clear now that this was the part that pained him most. "And the man sent to guard me was killed. Because of me."