Swamped

"Can't believe he had the nerve to go and visit Beth's smithy," Patterson mutters. "What'd he even want? Weapons for this damn game of his? And he brought the children along for that?"

"My wife was on duty when they came in. She told me it was daggers for Mortimer," says the nurse. "Apparently, old Leo thought he might need to defend himself. Jonny came along because he's curious about smithing, and little Mona went because she's at the age where growing up to be a knight still sounds fun, so she wanted to see the swords."

"Mort does tend to get himself into trouble," Monty says, clearly sounding a little nervous. "If this business his uncle's involved in is turning nasty, I could buy that he'd want his kids safe. Sounds pretty plausible to me."

"And he still knows full well that Beth hates his guts! No amount of money's going to change that." Patterson growls.

"Maybe so, but he's probably done plenty of business with people who hate his guts," the nurse sighs. "I know you don't like him, and I don't give a damn about him either, but it's hardly his fault the forge exploded."

"Isn't it? Someone who knew he was going to be there sabotaged it, that's my bet. And sure, whoever it is, they're probably a real scoundrel themselves. But Flame's a man who makes enemies. He brought this on himself, and those poor children have to suffer for it."

The forge exploded? You hadn't really planned on investigating the smithy until morning, but this definitely sounds strange. Regardless, Monty doesn't seem to like being part of the conversation. But Patterson's keeping a close watch - probably expecting them to run off and meet Mortimer, now that she knows he's here.

But if there were some job that Monty was the most suited for, that would be a good excuse for you to drag them away. You'll just need to think of something.