Rossarm considered the offer carefully, as far as Fendros could tell. He seemed too on guard to be considered hesitating. But the pause he left did seem unfamiliar.

He gently pushed the door open the rest of the way and turned around to walk to the desk. The room was immaculately orderly. The only evidence he had even lived in it was his already packed bag and writing equipment on the desk.

He turned over a note on the desk and kept his back toward them. The way he moved was so tired.

"Come in," he said.

Fendros unconsciously held his breath and stepped inside.

Rossarm took a breath. "My condolences for your leader."

"...Thank you."

"What do you require of me?" Rossarm finally turned around and straightened his back. Fendros, for the first time, noticed their height was not so different.

Fendros straightened as well. "We are having family and friends for lunch outside the city," he said directly. "I would have you come with us. Not as an order, just..." He pushed past indecision over words under the pressure of Rossarm's look. "Just to have you with us."

Rossarm slowly blinked as if a gust of wind had blown in his face.

Fendros guessed he was not expecting the invitation.