Marius takes his up his own cup with a grateful nod. He takes a sip and just sits a moment, trying to let the warmth and the brandy sink in and settle him. It-- well, it almost works.

"As for a shock," he says tentatively after a moment or two. "There is much I-- I think I cannot say, but-- certain matters he had thought to keep secret have been-- revealed. I believe it startled him very much to realize it."