<div class="floatright">(http://imgur.com/3hgsLSS.jpg)</div>Every now and then when travelling had been hard, when the weather had turned sour, or money had been tight and there'd be no bed and hot meal waiting for him at nightfall, Malcyn had regretted his decision to abandon the safety and comfort he'd enjoyed at his Majesty's Court. It had seemed a grand idea at the time, but after months of travel, he knew he had not thought it through. Not enough, at least. Incensed with righteous fury, he'd demanded to be released of his apprenticeship, and when his Master proved deaf to his anger, he had begged. Doctor Dumoulin, his mentor, had said no. And said no again the next day, and the day after, hoping to calm the young hothead down. Of course it had not worked. With each refusal, Malcyn's resolve grew, and when Dumoulin caught him packing his bags to leave, with or without his permission, he had sat him down and talked. In the end, they had reached a compromise. Malcyn would enjoy two years of freedom, and if he was still alive after his reckless adventure, he'd return to complete his apprenticeship.<br/><br/>That conversation had taken place well over a year ago, and Malcyn had started to feel the leash that tugged him home when Casimiro's invitation came. He remembered the Castillan noble well, and he wasn't shy to share certain highlights of their adventures with the wedding guests. He quickly learned that stories involving pirates and Casimiro's heroic deeds were the most popular, and he shameless used the phrase: "Oh, I met him when pirates attacked our ship" as an opening line when he wanted to draw attention. He introduced himself to guests of all walks of life, chatting and smiling. All in all, he was having a grand time when his gaze fell upon a maid, shoving and pushing her way through the crowd.<br/><br/>He followed her with his eyes until a group of wedding guests blocked her from his sight. Excusing himself with the two young ladies he'd been talking to, he trailed after the maid, his curiosity peaked. He was too late to hear her words to the captain, but the sudden activity from the guards compelled him to slip closer and a couple of seconds later, the whispers reached him.<br/><br/><em>Murder</em>.<br/><br/>A pretty blonde demanded more information, and Malcyn raised his voice. "Let me through. I'm a doctor!" he called out, elbowing his way through the crowd when the guests didn't part enough for his liking. "I'm a doctor!" His gaze fell towards the maid, who'd all but collapsed in the Captain's arms. "Shock," he murmured, "but I'll take a look at her once we're inside. I also offer you my further expertise, Captain, if you wish it." While he could not save the victim if there indeed had been a murder, he might still be able to glean further information from examining the body.