Mordred has honestly only been paying attention to Oswald insofar as he needed to make sure they didn't contradict each other, when he and Anchisa started flirting Mordred tuned out in favor of obscure intracommunity auxlang discourse.

"Frankly I stopped paying attention to them at around the point I started talking about Esperanto. I'd be happy to try to help keep them both out of trouble in the future, if it comes up again."

"Well, if Anchisa's enjoying herself... My condolences about the fate of Mr. Trammel. I did not know he was ill. I suppose even worshiping our God does not grant immortality."

"Frankly, neither did I."
 
 
 
 

"Sickness was a weakness Mr. Trammel would not want to admit to."

"I'm not sure Trammel had ever in his life met a weakness he would admit to."

"Indeed. He was certainly a very ambitious man. Captain Walker must be such a change for you. Given his more... practical... bent."

Mordred knows approximately two facts about Captain Walker and one of them is 'I hate him.' This is slightly less true of Trammel but honestly Mordred just despises everyone who was involved with running the cult in Los Angeles.

"If I may be frank," he says, "I think I would prefer your employer to either of them."

"Ah. --I do as well."

"What she means," Louise says, "is that Mr. Trammel is a smug condescending ass and we toasted each other when it turns out he was dead of cancer. I speak Mariam."

Mariam neither confirms nor denies this. "Captain Walker is a talented businessman and I am certain he shall increase the revenues of Los Angeles a good deal."

Mordred was intending to say something very neutral before Louise spoke, and is instead visibly trying not to laugh. "Not incorrect. On either count."

"I like you. Glad to see someone else in the business."

"For now, information sharing, I think," Mariam says.

"Information sharing," Mordred agrees. "Thank you both. It's been a pleasure."

"You too. In the future, if all goes well-- who knows? Savitree is always looking for talent."

The next morning, Araari and Zoe go to visit the rare book room monk again. 

"Hello again! --I don't actually think I've introduced myself properly? I'm Sister Araari."

"And I'm Zoe, I'm not sure that we've met before."
 
 
 
 

"Lovely to meet you both, I'm Brother Gadisa."

To Zoe: "You haven't met, no, I've come with a different person each day. First with Oswald, then Mordred, and now you."

To Brother Gadisa: "The--topic Mordred and I were discussing with you yesterday, is this a private enough place to discuss it?"

"Let me take you into my office." He does so. "Sister Araari, what was it you wished to discuss?"

"Is there a particular reason that St. Frumentius's career as an exorcist is being hidden? I knew it was talked about rarely, but not that it was actively being removed from libraries. I apologize if I have erred in discussing it too freely in the past. Or is it something else that just happens to be connected in your books?"

"Ah. There are-- dark records, we have, Sister Araari. The true story of St. Frumentius's work. They are not for the eyes of those who... are not prepared to hear it." Glances at Zoe.

"I could wait outside, if need be. I wouldn't want to get in the way. But depending on what you mean by 'prepared to hear it'... possible I've already heard worse."

"Is this necessary, Sister Araari? For your work, as a member of the Order?"

"I cannot be truly certain, but I believe so. The people I travel with, they have--brought news that the Mouth has awakened. Elsewhere. Sister Berhane spoke with them, and believed them to be genuine in opposing it; I was sent with them to aid them, as God has granted me strength to oppose demons before. Any information would be a great gift."