He had been careful with the word. He did not want to say Garran directly yet. If Robi knew Garran was present too early, he might refuse the meeting or prepare too strongly. But Ravencroft also had to make the pressure sound real.
"Yes, Lord Robi. A senior envoy from House Velkhur."
Robi smiled faintly.
Inside the side room, Lucard’s eyes remained calm. Ravencroft was lying with careful words. He called Garran an envoy because the word sounded official and less dangerous. A baron really did need polite lies to survive.
Robi leaned back.
"And why did you come to me?"
Ravencroft froze slightly. "Lord Robi, House Velkhur wants House Marovain to explain why your people protected Lucard Vardros and why Lady Celia stopped Dorian during the fight."
Robi’s smile disappeared.
"Be careful, Baron."
Ravencroft lowered his head more. "I mean no disrespect."
"You came into my shop at night to ask why my niece stopped a Velkhur mage from burning people in front of Marovain property. You also ask why my guards protected someone under Marovain protection. If that is not disrespect, then perhaps House Ravencroft has forgotten the meaning of the word."
Ravencroft’s face became pale.
"Lord Robi, I am only carrying House Velkhur’s concern."
Robi’s metal fingers tapped the table.
"You are carrying it badly."
Ravencroft clenched his teeth, then forced himself to speak softly.
"Please understand my position. I am only a baron. House Velkhur is pressuring me. I do not dare refuse them."
Robi’s eyes became colder.
"And do you dare pressure me?"
Ravencroft immediately bent lower.
"No, Lord Robi."
"Good. Then remember your position." Robi’s voice remained calm, but each word struck like a coin dropped on stone. "I belong to House Marovain. You belong to House Ravencroft. A baron does not tell an elder of a duke family where to go."
Ravencroft’s hands tightened inside his sleeves.
In the side room, Celia watched silently. She had heard Robi speak like this before, but not often. Her uncle usually preferred smiles and deals. When he used his rank directly, it meant he wanted the other person to feel the floor under their feet becoming lower.
Robi continued, "If House Velkhur wants to speak, they can request properly. If you want to meet me, you come to my chosen place. Or did House Ravencroft forget its position after hiding behind Velkhur’s cloak?"
Ravencroft’s face turned ugly for a moment, but he lowered his head quickly.
"I would never forget, Lord Robi. But an envoy came to me asking for an explanation. I am trapped between two duke families. Please give me a way to answer them."
Robi looked at him for several breaths.
Then he said, "I am leaving tomorrow."
Ravencroft looked up slightly.
Robi continued, "I have work at Black Barrow Hill outside the eastern tomb road. After finishing it, I will leave Gravehold. If you want to meet me, come there. Bring this envoy with you."
Ravencroft’s eyes changed.
Black Barrow Hill.
That was outside the city. Away from Marovain’s shop. Away from crowds. Away from easy witnesses. It sounded like a better place for Garran’s plan. Ravencroft did not know that Lucard had chosen the place first. To him, it seemed like Robi had offered the perfect ground by arrogance.
He bowed quickly before Robi changed his mind.
"Yes, Lord Robi. I will inform the envoy."
Robi waved one hand.
"Then go."
Ravencroft bowed again and left the room.
The door closed.
For a moment, Robi did not move.
Then the side door opened, and Lucard and Celia returned.
Celia looked at Robi. "He thinks you walked into his trap."
Robi smiled. "Good."
Lucard walked to the table and tapped the instruction page.
"Set up the trap exactly as written. Do not change the lines. Do not improve anything. Do not let your mages add personal style. When the circle is complete, leave it covered with loose grave soil and ash. Let it sleep until I activate it."
Robi raised an eyebrow. "Until you activate it?"
Lucard looked at him. "Do you want your mages to activate a spell they barely understand while Garran is trying to kill you?"
Robi thought for a moment. "No."
"Then follow the page and leave."
Celia frowned. "You will be there?"
"Yes."
"That is dangerous."
Lucard looked at her. "That is why I will be there."
She wanted to argue, but she had no good words.
Robi studied Lucard silently.
The young man had placed the location. He had adjusted the spell. He had forced the meeting away from Ravencroft Manor. He had warned Robi before the invitation arrived. And now he wanted to stand close enough to activate the trap himself.
This was either extreme courage or extreme calculation.
Robi suspected it was both.
He also thought of Celia.
His niece was proud, sharp, and talented. Many noble sons had tried to impress her with expensive gifts, polished words, and family names. She had treated most of them like noisy market birds. But Lucard had made her lose focus twice in one day. That was dangerous.
Yet Robi could not deny another thought.
If Lucard could help him kill Garran, then maybe this young man was worth far more than House Vardros appeared to offer. Lucard had nothing now, but he had potential. Terrifying potential. He was the most cunning young person Robi had ever seen. If someone like that lived long enough, he would not remain the heir of a fallen baron family. He would climb. He would take. He would turn enemies into steps.
A man like that could gain far more in the future than House Vardros could give today.
Maybe, one day, trusting Celia to him would not be a loss.
Robi looked at Celia and saw her trying very hard not to look at Lucard too much.
He sighed inside his heart.
Or maybe it was already too late to think about giving or not giving.
Lucard picked up the map and folded it.
"Gather the materials before dawn," he said.