"Lady Vanhal. I have heard of your family, of course. The Absaloms, though... not for some time. I trust the family fortunes are recovering well under your care, Lord Captain?" The lady coughed, a deep forceful sound for one so old and frail. She adjusted her position in the bed, drawing further into the shadows.

"A pious, upstanding young man such as yourself deserves proper success. I have been wondering if you might undertake a small contract on my estate's behalf, when you return to the Expanse?"