The second man, whose hair was black with thick streaks of grey, moved forwards to stand foremost. His eyes were blue and there was a fine tracery of wrinkles around his eyes and mouth and a particularly deep one between his brows. He bowed to her, the other men behind him doing the same. “Lord Grimsword, it is an honour to meet you at last, though I would have wished for it not to fall on such a sombre time for you.” His choice of words were callus but his tone was sincere, the sorrow in his eyes hinting he knew her parents a little better than most could brag. “I am the Headmaster, Tobias Nickleby. Allow me to introduce to you some of this years tutors to you.” He turned partially, clicking his fingers and waving at the carriage. A pack of red-and-black suited servants swanned out of the doors and began to unload the luggage.<br/><br/>“Now, this is History Master Montgrave,” the Headmaster gestured to the rotund man who smiled in a way that showed his uneven teeth in an unbecoming manner. “The Astrology Master Fritzwilliam,” the old man dipped his head and muttered something Welsh. “And the Ward Master Smyth. You won’t be learning Wards this year, but he is also the Dormitory Master.” The youngest of the schoolmasters gave a swift bow that made his hair flick. He held his right arm very close to his chest as if clutching something precious, but the right corner of his mouth seemed to droop, and his right eye didn’t blink in time with the left. It was quite a disturbing sight.<br/><br/>“Of course, you know Jonas Murkmere.” The headmaster waved at the youth further back who had straightened when it seemed that Nickleby was turning his way. “He volunteered to be your mentor and make sure you don’t get lost. We wouldn’t want you wandering into the wrong wing.”<br/>