Chapter 14: Hospitality
Members of the Mar council loitered in the hallway speaking amongst themselves as Maxim returned to the main floor with his guests. Each of them bore a different gaze, most curious, yet others skeptical.
“Ah, it is our honored guests. I had heard you were here,” Roth welcomed. Roth was a jovial man, tall and lanky, and dressed in decorative blue and white robes. His dark hair had greyed slightly. His friendly, welcoming smile put any newcomer at ease.
“Yes, Roth. As you can see, Julius and his friends have paid us a visit,” Maxim replied.
“To what do we owe the honor of their presence?” Estrom replied. His question carried with it an unmistakable air of condescension. His visage was smug, bearing his usual demeanor of judgmental pomposity. He was shorter than Ro
