Alexi nodded in understanding, accepting the chits to look over while taking advantage of her speaking to continue neatly decimating the plate before him. He should have followed his curiosity before, his attempt at politesse only revealing how inexperienced he was at this. True, she had given him advice, and continued to speak on the details of their plan, but that wasn't nearly as comforting as one might think. She still hadn't actually [i]agreed[/i] to escort him, not yet. It was entirely possible that she'd decline him at the end of their meal, leaving him more knowledgeable on how to convince the next mercenary he managed to find, but with even less time to find one.

Glimmers of sunlight through overcast clouds. One could never truly appreciate them when the threat of storm stood on every side.

He nearly choked on the ham in his mouth as he eyed the next chit, thoughts torn from pessimistic wonderings. The mark of the King's nephew... she had worked for [i]Richard[/i]?

Pausing a moment to swallow his food instead of breathing it, Alexi quickly scanned over the chits once more, 'hmmmm'-ing in thought as he pondered Katherine's advice on deciding when to leave.

"I was prepared to leave tonight if necessary, everything should be in order... No." A few marks he recognized, but they were ones most [i]should[/i] recognize. Notable merchants, a few well-known courtiers, one of the clergy? Others escaped his knowledge or memory, but the overwhelming impression was one of a skilled mercenary. 

Which was wonderful, if she accepted. He wasn't quite sure what to think of Richard's chit, but then he wasn't sure if he really needed to think anything of it. Getting moving was more important, his current commission needed to be completed and delivered before he could hope to set out on his own travels.

"I never actually received confirmation about a horse." Charles had been far too focused on getting him [i]out[/i] to bring that up. "So morning would be best. I can guarantee everything will be in order by then, at least."

Likely Charles had simply forgotten about telling him before, but Alexi wasn't going to risk rushing them out tonight, only to find he [i]wasn't[/i] prepared, and ruining everything. No matter what decision Katherine made -though she did seem as though she might agree, hopefully?- leaving a positive impression was the best thing he could do. Angering or offending someone tended to make people [i]want[/i] to talk about you, and it would be fatal for his name to be sullied in the eyes of potential escorts. 

So he took another bite of ham, free hand pulling back another roll to wash down the succulent meat, as he waited to judge Katherine's reaction.