Based on Ilia's reaction, it seemed that nobody was planning to kill him there. Well, one could never be too careful.
He mustered up a small smile.
"Well then, I shall be there at 7 o' clock sharp." He stood there for a second, thinking, twirling his handkerchief.
"I assume the dress code is more formal than not? At any rate, I'll be there, I can assure you."
He gave her a small, quick bow.
"Thank you for the invitation, Ilia. Goodbye until tonight."
And he closed the door, staring at the door for a good minute.
Vaelin needed some time to process this. He went upstairs into his study and sat at his desk, moving aside the seemingly endless piles of shady weapons deals and propositions, and put his head in his hands. He sighed. He did not expect the day to go like this. Well, he did expect the weapons deal to go off without a hitch, he made sure of that, but to hear about Varryn again...the very thought made him feel an emotion he hadn't thought of in a long time. And Varryn's daughter...the last time he saw her was very faint in his mind, but she had seemed to keep the sweet disposition he remembered. He sighed, getting up and going to the window overlooking the courtyard, checking the sundial for the time. It was already 4 o' clock. He needed to hurry if he was going to make it by 7.
He called Alistair up.
The butler poked his head in.
"Yes, sir, is everything alright?"
Vaelin waved him over, handing Alistair the card Ilia had given him.
"Arrange a carriage for me, please, and give the driver this address."
The butler nodded, taking a look at the card and tucking it into his coat pocket.
"Right, I will go make arrangements right away," he said, turning to go so what he had been told.
"Oh! And Alistair?"
Alistair turned back around.
"Yes, Master?"
"Get a bottle of ceremonial wine from the cellar please, and put it in the carriage," Vaelin requested.
Alistair nodded, leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
3 hours later
Vaelin's comfortable carriage pulled up to Varryn's townhome, Vaelin getting out and thanking the driver. Vaelin was dressed in black pants and dashing black boots, his ruffled shirt complementing his multi pocketed maroon coat. Nervously, he smoothed his shirt, adjusting his coat and walking up to the front door. Vaelin raised his hand to knock on the door and hesitated, before knocking loudly on the door.