Joseph scurried off to find a tablet so that Master Alexi could sign the electronic permission slip that the slave needed in order to be out in public at such an important event. His collar already had a microscopic tracker within it, that the human lord could pull up if something happened, if he was somehow kidnapped, or rather “stolen,” on the way there. At the event, he would be given a secondary tracker that would alert the guards and could also paralyze him, should the need arise. 

He sent a text message to Uwin, informing him that his presence was requested in the private dining hall, but told him to wait outside the door when he arrived. Then, he strode back, idly reading the form to see if it was any different from the previous time he had done this. There were minor changes, but nothing significant. 

[i]I'll be saving them. Any one that I can. Life in the Vandros manor is one of the best options for any slave, short of being freed into one of the refugee camps. And even the ones I won't be able to save will be free soon. I have to remember that. I have to look at this as an opportunity. It is a chance to act out a role, a role I have honed for five centuries. After all, I am the perfect butler[/i]. His thoughts were almost hopeful, almost fun. [i]I can do this. I have done it before. All I must do is turn my mind off and play the role. Damn do I wish I was still hard broken.... no, no I don't. Having to expend the effort to control my thoughts is better than not having them at all. It's better than I deserve, but I'll take it.[/i]

“He trusts me now, at least a little, and to keep things running smoothly, I have agreed to partake in that part of the plan personally, letting the exchange be mutual,” Joseph heard as he strode in. Quickly, he closed the door behind him and checked the room for any other servants. They were alone. Though, naturally, that did not mean that he could speak freely. Discretion was always advised outside of the Masters' private rooms. But as Master Alexi worked on the form, Joseph could not help but drop a little hint that he hoped would calm, or at least inform, the poor elder brother.

“It is alright, Master Mois. Master Alexi has seen the war firsthand. That's bound to upset anyone,” he commented, briefly meeting the elder brother's eyes and hoping he would connect the dots.