Edwin´s hand slid to his hip and embraced the hilt of a short, ugly blade sheathed there. Some people called him paranoid because of this reflex, he preferred being called alive. The weapon he took hold of was a crude weapon, looking more like a bigger knife than a soldier´s sword, but in close quarters it was a better option than the long cavalry sabre hanging at Edwin´s other hip. 
He gave the woman a long, measuring look, trying to figure out if she is a threat or an ally or maybe both of those things. Something told him that she is the most dangerous person in the room. Solomon might have been cold blooded bastard and Vestiago might look like a dark skinned giant from fairy tales, but Cora was the aura of power over her.
The new note that appeared on the paper just confirmed his thoughts. Hawk wouldn´t pick just anyone to be his apprentice and she surely had some aces up her sleeve. And Edwin was sure they are more devious than these few tricks she just showed them. Secret passages hidden in walls and invisible ink… Edwin served Hawk long enough to see a more than just a few of these things and they couldn´t surprise him anymore.
He let the hilt of his blade go and took another sip from his goblet of wine. It was a little bit too sweet for him but it still tasted better than anything he usually drunk. “Do you know anything about Hawk´s plan? What does he want to with our little group of misfits?”