Audric grinned in response to her compliment. "Well, it's no picnic," he acknowledged with a chuckle. "But I'd be lying to say I'm here strictly through promotion and achievement. I just told the Duke that I was his new Captain, and I didn't give him a say in the matter." If he were any other man, he probably would have been arrested! Calent had been surprised but, if Audric were any judge, not entirely displeased to have Audric's company.
"I'm glad we could find some information for you," he answered, still smiling but now looking a bit more serious. "Rosie is a good person to talk to, no matter what you need. She likes to scold though," he warned with a light chuckle. "Her only son was killed, so she's taken it on herself to adopt the rest of us." His smile vanished altogether, then, and he leaned forward to speak to her more quietly. "Speaking of which, you'll have to forgive Tomas. Their son was killed in action, and he's very proud of him for standing his ground when he could have run and maybe lived. That's probably why he felt like he had to belittle your father. You should try not to take it personally, though I know it's hard. Tomas is a good man, but he has his moments. As we all do."
Warning delivered, he settled back in his chair. "I have two sisters. They're merchants. Run one of the largest shipping companies in the region, in fact. I would have bothered them to put you up for a few weeks, but if you work as a maid, you'll get a room at the palace. And food. Not as good as Rosie's, obviously, but it's edible." He pushed his plate back from the edge of the table, contentedly stuffed. "So," he asked with raised eyebrows. "Who are you supposed to be meeting in town?"