Darian led him toward a broad counter tucked into the far corner of the hall. Behind it, a clerk in a neat uniform sat with a polished crystal terminal glowing faintly on the desk. A small line of merchants waited, most of them with ledgers and pouches of stones in hand.
When the clerk's eyes lifted and landed on Darian, their posture immediately straightened. "Young Master Velestra," he said respectfully. "How may I assist you today?"
"I'm here for some personal matters," Darian replied lightly, then placed a hand on Rowen's shoulder. "But first, I'd like you to open an account for my friend here."
Rowen stiffened under the sudden attention. The clerk's gaze flicked to him, surprise obvious at his plain clothes, but they quickly smoothed their expression. After all, anyone personally brought forward by a Velestra wasn't someone they could dismiss.
