#not recently

They asked a few servants, one of whom had noted the two leaving out some side entrance, saying perhaps the wine had been too much. Someone else said something about them wanting to get out of the crush of people.

"Well that makes sense," Haj-deek said, "The royal wedding, there's just--there's so many people here. If it's something private..."

"It shouldn't have taken this long, though," Martin said.

"Right. I'm sure nothing's really wrong, but my father won't want to hear that I was separated from uncle Odros this long."

And so followed by the imperial, who was still taking his duty as chaperone seriously, they headed out the front door - Haj-deek had suggested going out the side but Martin was careful to note that would probably spark rumors.

"They'd think we were doing something wrong," he gave a slight laugh. "And I have no desire to have your father catch wind of it only to get my head separated from the rest of my body."

"Right...we wouldn't want that. Vivec's been so careful with you---" she stopped to ask some random Telvanni who was vomiting into the bushes. "I'm sorry, have you seen my uncle?"

He didn't respond, only pointed in the direction of the silt striders. Then he was sick again.

"Maybe your uncle's not feeling well and wanted to grab a potion?"

"I should make sure he's alright, in that case."

She headed for the silt strider she'd taken with Odros. Halfway up the staircase they both heard a groan.

Haj-deek stumbled slightly, and Martin helped her up.

"That sounds--"

They reached the top step and stopped cold.

Odros was to the far end of the hollowed-out space and she could only see his back. But it was clear his robe was open, from the ties that hung loose at his side. He didn't move at first, apparently not hearing their approach.

"Uncle Odros? Are you--"

He stiffened, and seemed to shake for a moment, but didn't turn around.

"This--isn't what it looks like!"

"What's going on?!"

(Martin was silent behind her.)

Then, from the shadow in front of Odros, Vivec stood up. He didn't make eye contact at first - seemed to keep his eyes on Odros.

His tongue flicked briefly out. He was wiping his mouth.

In the smooth tones that so characterized his person, that made it impossible to think he was anyone else even if he'd looked different, Vivec responded.