Listening intently, Menaria nods with understanding. "That is why we are here. We are hoping that with your help on any clues that you might have found, we can discover to where it has gone and perhaps whom has it."
 
"If I might, your holiness?" Tanda interjects before the priestess can continue.
 
"Menaria, I know you've not been out in the real world much before, so I'll keep it simple.  A professional took it, and they've no idea who.  The local theives guild is quiet; that either means they have it and don't want anyone to know, or they're also looking for who took it."
 
She turns to the priestess.  "I assume you've tried to scry for it's location?"  The priestess nods, solemnly.  "Figures," Tanda mutters.  "Things like that either light up like a bored sorcerer's party favors or stay hidden from sight.  I think I'll pay this Thieves Circle a courtesy visit myself.  Lann, Jo, care to join me?"
 
Stiffening only slightly at the dimunitive form of her name, Lannstucht smiles coldly.  "Sounds like it could prove enlightening."
 
"Where can we contact this Thieves Circle?" Tanda asks.
 
"Go to the Inn of the Midnight Hurricane," the priestess explains.  "From there, approach the bartender and ask for a drink called the diseased gibberling.  Make sure to pull your left ear as you order.  After that, they will contact you, usually there in the bar."
 
Roland noticeably keeps the cowl of his traveling cloak low.
 
Lannstucht raises an eyebrow at Roland.  "Cowling does not suit you."
 
Roland moves close to Lannstucht so no-one else can hear. "I am wanted here in Marach, as I was in the place we last left. Cowling is my only option unless you want the city guard to arrest all of us."
 
Her eyes flash a little at the insinuation of her not knowing much, but the fact that it is true causes her to look a little at a lost. Menaria smiles at Tanda. 
 
"Be careful...all of you. I guess...I'll stay here and await your return."
 
Lannstucht turns to Tanda.  "Shall we be off then?"
 
Roland quietly pushes past them on the way to the inn, uncaring on whether or not they're ready. He's done waiting.
 
Tanda tosses her auburn hair over her shoulder.  "No time like the present."
 
It doesn't take long for those headed to the Midnight Hurricane to reach the bar, where they order the appropriate drinks with the stated hand signals.
 
The bar is a complete dive, and low-lifes of all sorts drift through it. Tanda appears completely at ease there.  As a drink, the diseased gibberling lives up to its name -- utterly and completely unpalatable and inedible.

It doesn't take long for a man to appear out of the crowd near Tanda's party, seemingly out of nowhere.  "Follow me," he states.  He leads them to the back room, then through a hidden door in the wall.  Down a staircase they head, then through a door to a well-furnished office.  A man dressed in gaudy clothes sits back in a chair behind the desk that dominates the room, his feet propped up on it.

"Top of the day to you, strangers.  Welcome to the world-famous Thieves Circle.  Folks call me Kratus.  Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I have one question.  What do you want?"

Roland keeps his hood low over his head as he stands by the door in the back room, staying strangely quiet and letting the others do the talking.

"Well, we can beat around the bush with all sorts of innuendo," Tanda states, "or we can come clean and keep it simple.  All we're looking for is information on a theft that happened a few months back.  After all, not one theft happens here in this city that you are not aware of, even if you don't have anything to do with it, right?"

Kratus leans back even further, and laughs heartily.  "A woman after my own ego!  You are right, we do tend to perform most of the theivery in this city; not all, after all, but we are aware of it.  You could say we make it our business to know."

"Then you know who stole a relic from the Temple of Akanksha a few months back," Tanda states simply, smiling sweetly at him.

For a brief moment, there is complete silence in the room, before the sound of Kratus's chair hitting the floor reverberates through it.

"Are you accusing ....?" he asks after he pulls himself into a more dignified position--standing, although the chair stays on the floor for now.

"Accusing? Hardly. Just giving credit where it is due. Quite the impressive job, really."

"On the contrary, my humble Circle of Thieves had *nothing* to do with that theft.  In fact, we didn't even know about it until the priestesses outright seduced our members for information."

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Tana stays close to Menaria, the only time he lets her out of his sight is when she has to take care of necessities. Even though his is unarmed, he maintains the attitude as if he has both armed and armored, meanwhile still keeping the impression that he is both disinterested and bored with the surroundings.

Menaria helps out with what Temple duties she can (if allowed) and quietly talks with Tana. "Where do you think we should go from here once they return? I do hope they find something out. These endless killings need to stop." She whispers to him.

"To plan a destination without sufficient information would entice failure before the journey commences. I believe we should remain until our companions return. I would be curious as to what the other portion of our assemblage has ascertained," Tana responds. "Tell me, sister Menaria, I have not been introduced into the order of Ankasha, are all of the sisters, how can I say this without offending, forward in their actions?"

Sighing, she nods at Tana's point. "True, I just was pondering." At his question about being 'forward in their actions', she chuckles and her eyes sparkle with mirth. "We are here to help those in need, whether it be for healing or 'comforting'; we offer our services." She smiles warmly at him. "We believe all should be 'loved' we try not to be discriminative with those that enter our temples."

"I am but a simple nomad. Vilhelmo guides my hand, as he guides the hands of all warriors that follow him. No doubt the temples to Ankasha are in the large cities that gird the edge of the great wastes, my teachings, however do not allow me to make use of the -- how did you say it? -- 'comforting' your order offers. I do find it very intriguing, but love is all, the love of life, of good food, sweet water, is that not true?" Tana replies in a quiet voice. "Can you answer another question for me? Why is it that you object to the possession of servants, such as Jonahli? She understands her station in life, why can not others accept that? Again, if I offend it is not my intention, I merely wish to learn."

A new light shines in her eyes as she looks on Tana; admiration. "You are one of the few who would not take 'comfort' by our ways, and in that we will respect your wishes. As for servants... I am not against that if that is what they have lived by. If one is brought up in that type of environment, it is not my place to push for change if the individual does not want it. If she wishes to remain a servant, then far be it for me to absolve that."

She sighs and looks away. "Though I have to admit, it is sad that people have to be treated as such. Servants have their place...but when one is beaten or mistreated... that is what I can't abide." Her shoulders slump a little as she looks back at him.

"I just hate to see anyone suffer; perhaps I am just too soft hearted, but everyone derserves a chance in life. That is why it is there for - to live." She smiles warmly at him. "You don't offend me; I am not easily offended. Perhaps another weakness of mine." She shrugs her shoulder halfheartedly.