...and then she dreams...

Tekuna is tailing someone... a tall... no, short man, perhaps even some kind of animal... her attention is suddenly drawn to a young child standing nearby, watching her. When Tekuna looks back, her prey is gone. Annoyed she turns back to the child...

...who is now standing next to her. She gives Tekuna a most mischievous grin and puts her small hand in Tekuna's. The two begin to walk together and the little girl speaks.

"I don't mind you borrowing my name, but I'd like you to do something for me. Will you?"

Tekuna responds instinctively. "I didn't take it. It was a present." She pauses, looking the girl up and down. Hmm. Not one of mine. She isn't wearing the ribbon-and-brooch combination. "I'm always open to suggestions, sure. What does your...I mean, what do you have in mind?"

As she replies, Tekuna can't help noticing that the little girl is in fact wearing the subtle yet distinctive ribbon-and-brooch combination. The roguess can't understand why she missed it a moment before. The little girl grins again, and Tekuna notices that she is now sitting down with the child in her lap.

"I like you Tekuna." She says suddenly. "You are always honest with yourself."

She stops. Tekuna can't help noticing that the little girl hasn't said anything more about the mysterious something, but she still gets the impression that the little girl is waiting for her to say something next.

"Well, thanks, I think. You have to learn not to keep secrets from yourself if you're going to succeed in this game. Always be realistic."

Tekuna squints sideways at the girl. Something about her was naggingly familiar, but she didn't recognise the girl, and Tekuna was proud of her clandestine visits to the various Rotan operations to stay familiar with who was on the roster. That had avoided many an embarrassing situation in the past.

Wouldn't do to admit ignorance, though. "So," she experimented, "everything alright at the house, then? No complaints? Nothing to report?" A bit lame, but this is only a kid. A more subtle approach would probably hit wide of the mark.

The little girl gives Tekuna an odd look almost as if she can hear Tekuna's thoughts.

"I cannot tell you what it is I want you to do yet, but I need to know that you will help me when I ask." She pauses for a moment and then looks directly into Tekuna's eyes. She seems very serious.

"Will you help me. Yes or no?"

But before the famous rouge has a chance to reply, she is it startled wide awake. Someone is pounding on her door.

"Lady Tekuna, come quickly, there has been a raid on Artak's Apothecary." It is Lurin Fenotes' voice -- her secretary. Already alert, but still pondering her strange dream, Tekuna leaps quickly from the bed, slips on a warm cloak, and heads for the door.

No rest for the wicked, she thinks, wryly.