“Absolutely unbelievable,” Pandora said. Hitori just finished explaining what happened last night with the Ex Stone to their liaison from the White Temple. Pandora had met them at their suite at Amun’s Rest inn. “How could you let that woman get away like that!”

“The team and I were in no position to chase phantoms in the dead of night,” Hitori said. “Especially not when we needed to clear the area before the City Watch or the Medjai arrived and started looking for answers, because, as I’m sure you remember, Kalindi, this mission is supposed to be a secret.”

“Pandora, and yes, you’ve done the sun’s work on that so far, I’m sure no one will notice the crater.” She rolled her eyes. “Did you at least see where she went, or get some clue who she worked for.”

“She headed west when she ran away, but I doubt that means anything. As for who she worked for… at first I thought she was a Paladin.”

“You think we stole the stone from ourselves?” Pandora snapped.

I wouldn’t put it past this bitch.

“No, obviously not, but she looked like one.”

“So, a mysterious Paladin wannabe swooped in at the last minute and swiped the stone from right in front of you?” Pandora said. “That’s even more ridiculous. If you fucked up and destroyed it you might as well own up now rather than make outlandish excuses.”

“If you don’t like our report,” Hitori said. “You’re welcome to head up north and check for yourself.”

Pandora sighed. “Fine, whatever. You say the Ex Stone is still around, then you are more than welcome to finish your job already. I won’t tell the Temple to expect much.”

“Whatever you report is your business. Now, if you mind, we have work to do.”

Kalindi huffed indignantly and scanned the room. When she reached the end, her eyes darted back to the start, like she was expecting to find someone. Hitori assumed she was hoping to take another verbal swipe at Chandra. When it was clear the Paladin was nowhere to be found, Kalindi gave a quick pout that almost seemed genuine, then settled her gaze on Elvira. The Duroterran woman was glaring back with murderous intensity.

You think if you startled Elvira she might punch Kalindi through a wall?

Pandora studied his teammate for a few seconds, her eyes full of haughty indifference with a dash of pity as they passed over her hair. She smirked and said, ”Oh, she’s all yours, you don’t need my permission.”

Elvira started and looked away, stifling a blush with little success. Kalindi laughed and turned towards the exit.