Yes, the plan works

"Excuse me, Lord Gheldric?"

The woman approached a bit nervously.

Cowan gave her a condescending look and replied. "Yes yes, who are you?"

"Oh, I'm so relieved!" She gave him a deep curtsey and cleared her throat. "Hrm, I mean, welcome to Tharros, your Lordship. My name is Telina and I am here to serve at your pleasure as your assistant and secretary during your work here.

Cowan reached out his hand, letting her kiss a pinky ring that he had lifted from a drunken noble just moments ago.

"First, let me tell your Lordship what a great honour it is to finally meet you! I've been a great admirer of your Lordship's work ever since I read your brilliant pamphlet 'The depraved art of Tharros and how it degenerates our people'. Since then I've read all your studies! I particularly liked your three volumes on the destruction of the Lorkelen sculptures."

Cowan stared at her perplexed. What was she talking about? This lord seemed to be some kind of lecturing type. Better stay in character.

"Uh-hrm, ah yes... those dirty objects," he mumbled. "My finest piece work if I may say."

"But... I always imagined my Lordship to be older."

"Ah, yes... the secret behind graceful ageing is to live a righteous life, free of illicit relations with loose women," Cowan said and waved his finger.

Telina immediately fumbled with a quill and piece of parchment to take notes.

Cowan boldly grabbed an enormous unattended suitcase and handed it to her.

"So, girl, here is my luggage, take me to the Regency Keep immediately, because we have much work to do!"

While struggling with the heavy luggage, his loyal assistant led the way back to the keep. Cowan was really getting into the role of the puritan foreign lord by muttering haughty opinions of the surroundings, letting out a "preposterous!" here and a "abomination!" there.

He even held a sulphurous tirade about the depravity and low moral fibre of the citizens of Tharros, calling them "nothing but a rabble of thieves and harlots."

Soon they reached the palace. This time Cowan walked straight up to the gate and knocked.