After they exchanged a brief handshake and introduced themselves, Governor De Sousa took charge of the conversation, laying the groundwork for the discussion to come.
Introductions between nobles were not as simple as exchanging a few words, as ordinary people did. The introducer's reputation and credibility within their circle were at stake.
Rather than an introduction, then, this was more like a small ceremony to verify their identities.
With the powerful governor of White Harbor vouching for them, both could place complete trust in the information he personally provided, whether about Amicali or Renato. With that endorsement, they could lower their initial guard, assured that the other was not some swindler of unknown origin, but one of their own-someone from the same circle, well worth knowing.
Governor De Sousa clearly understood this well. His choice of words elevated both their standing just enough, without making either seem to have an ulterior motive. He struck the balance perfectly.
Still, there was little novelty in such lengthy, repetitive introductions. Since De Sousa also spoke slowly, Renato turned his attention to the unfamiliar female swordsman before him, whose eyes held a smile as she quietly studied him in turn.
He tried drawing on the shadow energy around him to sense her emotions, but found nothing.
Perhaps she wore some magical equipment that blocked attempts to probe her mind...
Amicali's bearing and speech were equally flawless. Her gaze was open and poised, neither evasive nor aggressive...
Even in their brief time together, she put him at ease while revealing nothing. There was no useful information to glean from her expressions or movements. In fact, had De Sousa not quietly briefed him in the stairwell, Renato might almost have assumed that the woman before him was not a commoner from the Sea of a Thousand