Returning to the temple, Rotemdol seeks out Ayruna, still accompanied by Lulmyra and the priestess Oluna. The temple guard leaves them to return to his duties.
"Your sister is something special", he says, "I wanted to check if she is really that good. We went to the Legion training ground where I tested her skills. I 'borrowed' a company of soldiers so I could compare her to them. She was way better then any of them, and she is still a child. Lulmyra really shows potential".
"It was very exciting", Lulmyra adds.
"It might have been exciting, but isn't it dangerous, with all those knives around?", Ayruna retorts back, "I think it's a bad thing to play with weapons; they're made to the purpose of hurting people".
"I want to explain my offer as it is a bit different then the standard Master Apprentice relations", Rotemdol continues
"It would have to be", Ayruna snorts, "There's isn't a guild of entertainers. Guilds are only for honest workers".
Rotemdol continues. "An Apprentice, in the arrangement you are familiar with, is usually indentured to a Guild Master for a specific period of time in order to learn a craft. The contract usually contain terms such as length of apprenticeship, usually between two and ten years, room and board and hours of work specified. When the contract ends the Apprentice gains Journeyman status. The motivation for the apprentice is to learn a trade and for the Master to gain the work of the apprentice while teaching the trade".
Ayruna nods. She's familiar with this.
"My motivation is different", Rotemdol continues, "I have no need for an apprentice in my work, even though it possibly could help. Consequently, I do not need an indenture. I will supply room and board but Lulmyra will be free to leave when she pleases. The only thing I require from her is that she always try her hardest.. The motivation that I need is the type that comes from within and can not be enforced. With her natural talent this should prove enough to ensure her success"
"The reason I would like Lulmyra as an apprentice, that indeed I want an apprentice at all, is that I am looking for someone to pass my skill to, to continue the line".
Ayruna gives a look of non-committal. Lulmyra looks at her with a look of disappoinment.
"Lulmyra is just a child", Ayruna says, "How can she know her future?".
Then the priestess adds her opinion.
"Ayruna, for whatever crimes your parents might have committed, your guild has abandoned you. Your options for honest employment are limited; your illness means it may be a while before you can work at anything at all. I think you should at least consider Rotemdol's offer".
"But working as a street entertainer?", Ayruna says, "The lowest of the low"
"Is that any better than the work you were doing before you became ill?", Oluna replies, "And which made you sick? Do you really want Lulmyra to follow that profession?".
"I had hoped for something better than that", Ayruna says.
"Then consider Rotemdol's offer", Oluna replies, "He's being very generous; he's good enough to earn more money that I thought".
"So what do you say?", Rotemdol asks, "As Oluna says, I do not think she will get a fairer offer."
All eyes turn to Ayruna.
"She can leave at any time?"
Rotemdol nods.
"Then if Oluna thinks you can be trusted, we shall have to accept your offer", she says, "even if it against my gut instinct"
Lulmyra's face turns to a grin that threatens to split her face in half, then throws her arms around her sister.