Every occupation had its dangers, as Vax knew too well. Spies and sex workers both, more than most. If Alucin amounted to putting them together, it was a tragic thing that had happened, but not an entirely surprising one. It made more sense now, how he'd found Alcuin bleeding out, even if that had come after this.

With that in mind, Vax stopped in their lazy meandering, turning to look at Alcuin. "That's awful," he regarded the boy earnestly. "But just as you knew there were risks to what you did, I think the man who guarded you must have understood the risks he took as well."