An Unwilling Experiment

As the inner curtain closed, all the current and soon-to-be apprentices were left waiting with nothing to comfort them but their own thoughts. 

"... Do you think he really cares about that missing squirrel?" 

Horthal's hushed question wafted through the big top. 

Right away, a heavy elbow drilled the rhinokin's side. Lobur added a slap to the ex-gladiator's back for good measure. 

"Hey, the boss always has plans. And those include Mayor Rogue. Plus, she's real strong. It's only natural that he's glad to have her join the guild." 

Gerrart nodded along, softspoken as ever. 

"Well… Rizz was quite eager to meet up with her after that big fight. He showed a bit more concern than usual too."

"Then what's with the cheery attitude now?" Horthal asked with a tilted head. 

"If you ask me, he's more excited now than ever. And that's after hearing about all this missing mayor business.