"Sergei Allagi."
Sergei practically flinched at the use of his last name. He had done a pretty decent job of losing the reputation that his surname came with. His voice caught in his throat, unsure of how to address the situation now. He stammered a bit but was quickly cut off by the green-haired girl's questions.
"Allagi, he said Allagi right? Is it true that the head of your family attacked the tester that came to determine her ranking? And that she dances with wolves in the pale moonlight to gain her power?"
Probably. Sergei thought, answering both of her questions. He didn't say anything, however. He didn't need the backlash that spreading rumors might entail. He enjoyed not being under the scrutiny of the main family. Brighid, in particular, scared him. Fortunately, Sergei was saved from having to answer by the young man. He let out a small sigh of relief, watching the captain lead Julian and Cleo into the city.
"Apologies. You must be confused. We've never met, personally, but when I was a child I came here with my parents and met your own. You share many traits with them.
Don't let them hear you say that, Sergei thought.
"My name is Edgar Velos."
"Velos," Sergei repeated, extending his hand in greeting, "Horse breeders, right?" Edgar nodded in confirmation. Sergei recalled hearing something of the Velos family recently; he couldn't remember what it was though. He refrained from asking, thinking that it wasn't polite to interrogate the man upon his arrival.
"Where are you sailing from? Long journey?"
"Home." Edgar responded bluntly.
Sergei slowly nodded. "Right, so who were those women?"
"Allies."
"I see. Well, if you want to sit down and get a bite to eat after your travel I know a great pl—"
"I need to be getting back to the group." Edgar cut him off. Sergei moved to the side to let Edgar pass.
"What business do you have in the city?" Sergei asked, hoping that maybe he could at least get a little conversation out of the guy.
"The Spark, of course."
"Of course," Sergei repeated, watching him go. He frowned slightly at the interaction. Something didn't sit quite right with him.