Shard did not make an appointment for this visit, but when the professor heard that it was an author from Draleon visiting for research on a new book, he was delighted to invite him in and received Shard in his study.
Professor Kansas Drake was a frail old man with brown-framed reading glasses, and had a red checkered blanket covering his legs, so Shard could not see below his waist. Unlike the Draleon people Shard usually encountered, Professor Drake had the typical appearance of a southerner from the Old Continent, a long face with slightly darker skin and slightly upturned eyelashes.
Shard entered the study first, followed by a maid pushing Professor Drake in. He instructed the plump and reliable-looking maid to prepare tea, then began chatting with Shard.
