After finishing the meal, Rotemdol goes back to the Dragon to set the wheels in motion about finding lodging for his new apprentice.
"Who was that horrid woman", Lulmyra asks as they cross the square, "You were right to tell her how rude she was".
"I didn't like her either. Typical human trollop", Ayruna adds.
"I am not sure" Rotemdol replies, "She is not from around here, I think, else I would have seen her by now. Anyway, there were rumors of a women who fits her description who trashed some knights lately who where misbehaving with women and I think it might be her, so don't go out of your way to pick a fight with her".
They step inside the Dragon, the resident security, Karr, greeting him at the door.
"Who are these three?", Karr asks Rotemdol, "Is one of them your new assistant everyone's been talking about?".
"Karr meet Lulmyra, my new apprentice. It will be some time before she start earning her keep but the talent is there. The older sister is Ayruna and the young gentleman is Teyrath. Karr" Rotemdol says turning to the kids, "is in charge of security here at the Dragon".
Ayruna looks at Karr with a degree of suspicion.
Rotemdol leads them inside introduces the kids to the staff, Ronn and Shilu, who work the bar, and the general dogsbody Vakell. Ayras Ni isn't around at the moment, to Rotemdol's disappointment; he's got the widest contacts in the city. Karr says he's due back in the evening, but doesn't know where he is.
Rotemdol makes it known that he is looking for suitable lodging, but unfortunately none of the staff present know of anywhere outside the more disreputable human quarters, where three young kandar would be rather vulnerable. Perhaps Ayras might be more helpful when he returns.
"If you have any belonging you need a place to store till I find a place for you I could put them in my room here" Rotemdol tells the trio. They're non-committal on this, preferring to remain at the safety of the temple as long as they can.
They return to the temple of Valarna. Oluna isn't around, but he does hear bits of a conversation between a wounded knight and older priestess.
"Tomorrow?", says the knight, "If she's well enough to travel".
"She's up and walking", the priestess says, "But her mind..."
"It will come back, I'm sure", says the Knight, "She needs to see the outside world again; they'll bring her back. She seems to know who I am now".
Then the two of them step inside, and Rotemdol hears no more. Saying goodbye (for now) to Lulmyra and Ayruna, he heads back to Banjo's for some training; can't let those skills go rusty!
Late afternoon, at a time when Banjo has disappeared on some errand, he has a visitor, someone he's met only once, a couple of days ago, but recognises immediately.
"Do you have anything to report", he asks, dismissing any opening pleasantries.
"Well", Rotemdol replies", Tanala was in the temple so far, which is the reason she is alive"
The mystery man nods.
"Apparently she is doing better physically, but not so well where it counts", Rotemdol continues, "I have overheard her knight friend saying that he, and I assume some others, will take her tomorrow for a walk. I could try to make it her last one. However, I still do not see what's the rush, is it only that you think it will be easier for me before her powers return or is there some deadline?".
"You said it yourself", he replies. "I am no expert in powers of the mind, and in the recovery of those who have suffered mind-burning as she has. It could be that her mind is so badly damaged she will never recover; she may be as a small child or a feeble-minded idiot for the rest of her life. But it's equally possible she will fully recover, and recover quickly. So the sooner she is brought to a premature end the better, we might not get as good a chance again!".
"We have a different perception on the task", Rotemdol replies", and being that it is my neck that is on the line I prefer mine. The problem is never that of killing someone, this is easy, but that of getting away without being caught".
The other man nods in agreement.
"The fact that she is invalid makes the killing part easier but ensure that she has entourage. I do have an idea though, and will try to see if I could execute it tomorrow when they take her out. Information now is everything. I need to know when she goes and what route she takes. If you come up with anything let me know. The route is the more important piece of information".
The man nods again.
"Remember that I'm prepared to pay you for information we can use", he says, "We have other potential operatives in this city, some of whom are, shall we say, a little more expendable than yourself. I assume you're aware of the group calling themselves 'The Right Hand of Vandrak?".