Piers gestured mildly, one palm up in a manner that said 'your choice', and called out to the vacant doorway. "Nothing for us, Nella. You may go, thank you." The faint sound of footsteps padding away betrayed the lurking servant's departure, but she did not again appear.
He turned back to Ordhan with a polite nod. "I'll be frank with you, Ser Ordhan. Desiderio writes as often as he can, but despite his efforts I get so little news of my youngest sons. Perhaps you know my Constans only a little, but if you can spare any word of him, of either, I would be in your debt."
Piers smiled again with less reservation, fondness and loss both intertwined in his expression.