no subject

[ben slows his pace to a stop, jaw clenching. he can't just avoid the subject forever; it's been eating at him for weeks. he's been waiting for the moment that they exchange books (which wasn't going to happen in the first place. as soon as cesare asked him to deliver a ring, the deal was off) to confront him. but then, the plan was to meet halfway, or something close to it. it's a strange thing having him suddenly show up so effortlessly.

what would have happened if ben hadn't caught sight of cesare struggling with a tool? what are his plans here?]

I don't care. You stay away from Alayne, you hear?