Silence settled over the study.
Alistair remained seated in the high-backed chair beside the fireplace, one hand resting against the arm while his gaze stayed fixed upon the closed door. The room had grown considerably quieter without his son in it, though the silence between the two men was hardly peaceful.
Simon waited until the sound of the young man's footsteps had disappeared down the corridor before walking farther into the room.
"I see you have been keeping him occupied," he observed.
Alistair simply hummed. "He needed direction."
"Mm," he said. "Does he know?"
"No."
Simon gave another quiet hum. "Then you have told him nothing."
"I have told him what he needs to know,"
Simon smiled faintly. "Which is never the whole truth with you."
Alistair looked at him. There was no amusement in his expression. "You have known me long enough to understand that."
Simon took a seat opposite him. For a moment, he simply studied the man before him.
