Amal raised an eyebrow, still unaccustomed to seeing someone Emmaline had known in a previous life. The man had given Amal an unpleasant glance for a brief moment, then seemed entirely occupied with Emmaline. Not only in priority, but almost in disdain. The Arabyan had the distinct impression this wizard did not care for foreigners, but maybe he simply was too preoccupied with his seeing Amal's woman. 

"Apprentice... so this is the one." Amal declared, fully nonchalant despite the dramatic air of the moment. He had a feeling they might run into him at some point. He'd wait for Emmaline to give a clue on what to do before he made any rash action. Or so he told himself that for the moment. The patrons of the Inn had gone back to whispering and speaking among one another, and Emmaline's magic had shut off from the conversation across the room. Whether it would have been detected by the older wizard or she was simply done with it, Amal didn't know. 

"I haven't been so elated to see someone from my past in many years." Albrecht intoned. "You seemed to have ripened into a fine magician yourself it appears, if the fact you are still alive is any indication. You could have easily settled in the brothel life, or become some fool nobles mistress. Unfortunately, I have to bring up a bit of sourness that you might have forgotten about..." 

"My fees..." Emmaline mumbled. 

"Always a quick one! Yes, your fees. The money you owe me, plus interest." The wizard had a lightly sadistic finish to every word he spoke. "Had it not been so long, I might have given you a discount had you paid me in...other ways. But as it were-" 

Emmaline grabbed Amal's wrist, knowing her lover and companion too well to not foresee the knife coming. He had already produced one of his blades in his hand, though his expression had changed only in the subtlest of ways. It was difficult to ascertain if Albrecht had ignited a wall of protection over him or not, but if he hadn't his throat would have already been bubbling with blood. Amal looked at Emmaline, seeing her hand and shrugging, letting the conversation move along. No one spoke to his woman in such a way when he was around. 

If Albrecht had sensed the impending danger, he gave no sign. "-as it were I have some fees of my own, and I simply must pull rank and demand what is owed. Surely you have it, my dear?" 
[@Penny]