"Baron Fayle," Owain said, letting a note of warmth into his voice that was entirely manufactured. It didn't sound entirely convincing, but then, the audience would likely attribute the flaw in his performance to the discussion of his wife's funeral. Besides, the youngest baron in the March warranted courtesy, even if he warranted very little else in Owain's estimation.
"I appreciate you making the journey all the way from one of the furthest corners of the march," Owain continued, keeping the topic light to begin with. "I imagine the southern roads were harder than Lord Iriso's."
Erling Fayle looked up from his plate with an expression that was cautious but not fearful. Up close, the young baron looked even younger than he did at a distance. Sandy-haired, slight of build, with features that seemed designed by the Lord of Light to make powerful men underestimate him.
