Alderic sighed, and decided that at this point in his rotten week it wasn't worth squatting down to check for certain that the men were still breathing while he was wearing full plate. "You're certain that they'll be all right, Enchanter?"
"Unfortunately!"
"Are you all right? May I come in to speak with you a moment?"
A pause, and a reply laced with wounded dignity. "They ripped my dress."
Alderic grimaced. Once again, he'd failed in his duty to protect a mage under his charge. If these men had seriously harmed her... "Ah... I am very sorry, Enchanter. Just one question then, if you will. Did you perform any major spellwork downstairs? I'm afraid there was an event we cannot account for."
"I hadn't cast anything at all until those two louts followed me to my room."
"Thank you." He had no reason to believe that Thais was lying. She was a mage of the Circle, perfectly legal, and would have been justified in working magic to stop that brawl. Her answer cleared up one lose end, at least. He looked up to Constans again, still standing in the doorway of the next room looking absentminded. "Constans, which of these rooms are ours?"
The Tranquil replied, "The next door past me to your right, the one across from it, and the door at the end of the hall are ours to use but to my knowledge have not been claimed."
Alderic nodded. "Rhocanth and I haven't the moment to spare right now. Could you please move these two men- er. Somewhere more... out of the way, until they wake up?"
"Yes Ser."
Alderic shook his head in amazement at the whole situation, and headed for the door at the end of the hallway.