Rurisa's expression is intense. "I assure you sir, such a fate will not befall Longacre on our watch. We'll tear apart anyone challenging Thrune, be they a Silver Raven or an Angel Knight. When do we move out?"
"Whenever you're ready, tomorrow at the latest. Do some good work for us." With those final words Razelgo disappears with a minor clap and the smell of ozone.
Cimri cocks her head thinking of anything she needs but then shakes it, "I think I'm good to go if you guys are. We've still got a bit of daylight left." When everyone gives their assent Cimri starts heading out the door and towards The Jackdaw. The sun is getting lower in the sky and by your best estimates you've got about an hour, maybe two of light left.
You arrive and find a portly man working the counter while a couple of teenagers are moving around the shop cleaning up. "What can I help you folk with?" says the man as Cimri steps aside.
His question is almost cut off as a shriek of laughter is heard from upstairs, as well as the sounds of running feet.
Rurisa gives the man one of her charming smiles. "Are you Master Fortmile? We're here to check on the mail, mind if we step in?"
"Oh relax sir. We're not here to get anyone in trouble. We just have a few questions. Say, did you hear about Caggen? I mean a wereboar, in the town, really? Can you imagine how many people he could have hurt?
Vokrin stands in the back, looking intimidating.
Trevor tilts his head up but doesn't think anything of the noise.
The man nods, "Yes, I am Dilman Fortmile. These are my children, Bennie and Rianne. My youngest, Telas is up in the house, please excuse the noise she is making. I heard about Bolgart, was out when the entire thing went down in the square. He was such a good man, its hard to imagine him keeping a secret like that for so long."
"What exactly are you looking for?" he asks as he ushers you into the back room.
"Yes" Penance agreed unenthusiastically. "Ah yes, secrets. We all have them. Some more serious than others. Ones we'd take to the grave if we had to..." His eyes looked at no one in particular as he spoke. He seemed distracted, as if remembering a different time.
"Ah yes, children. I do so love children" he said with a grin.
A small gasp and the sound of shattering glass echoes in the room as Dilman swallows. Everyone turns to Rianne who has accidentally bumped into a vase, shattering it on the floor. Her face turns red with embarrassment as she mumbles, "Sorry Da," before pulling a broom and pan from a storage closet to clean up the mess.
Dilman, unnerved by his daughter's reaction and Penance's statement, swallows to try and cure his sudden bout of dry-mouth. "Wha-*cough* What did you say you were looking for again? There are no secrets in this post office of course..."
Rurisa steps into the room, slowly circling around towards the stairwell as she speaks, though she tries to be nonchalant about it. Her voice is pitched low to avoid carrying upstairs. "Nonsense, Master Fortmile, you definitely have secrets. For example, there are at least half a dozen people upstairs besides your daughter, maybe more. Naturally we'll have to take a look, since this is a clear violation of the Archbaron's decree against large gatherings. For your sake, I hope your daughter is having a slumber party and we'll be on our way after a stern lecture. Worst case, you're, oh I don't know--harboring fugitive slaves and we'll have to arrest you all."
Planting on foot on the first stair-step, she gives Dilman a tiny grin, as though challenging him to challenge her. "Please, have a seat, we'll only be a moment."
Dilman sits, glancing nervously between Rurisa's smile grin, Penance's much scarier dead eyes, and Cimri's manic chuckling. When Vokrin moves forward he starts violently, forgetting the fearsome tiefling was there for a moment and allowing Trevor to unobtrusively step forward. Bennie, whose face has been growing more and more flush, not unlike Caggan, nearly yells, "Da! You can't just-"
"Can't nothin' boy!" Dilman snaps. "Those badges they're wearing mean they've got the Archbaron's tacit approval. And what's more they actually have done some good for this place, getting rid of a lycanthrope that's been living in our midst. Now quiet down!"
"But Da," Bennie begins again, uncertain this time. "What about Telas?" When his father shakes his head Bennie glares at the group as Rurisa leads everyone upstairs, eyes flashing dangerously.
The apartment above the post is nice, though a bit cramped. A small living area is attached to a kitchenette. Two curtained off rooms likely lead to bedchambers. Six youths on the cusp of adulthood are sitting around a bottle left haphazardly on the floor looking at one of the curtains as if waiting for something. They don't pay attention to the group as you ascend the stairs, and cheer uproariously as a blushing pair stagger out of the room. The female of the pair shrieks as she notices you standing just off the landing and jumps into her counterparts arms while the room goes quiet.
Hmm..underage drinking? Inappropriate.
Arching one eyebrow, the mercenary snorts when she sees the bottle and points to the nearest youth. "You. Stand up. I want an explanation of what's going on here. You have fifteen seconds starting...now."
Vokrin remains downstairs, watching the door and presumably their backs. He was glad to be spared the embarassment of a group of children playing spin the bottle, and was quite curious from what he heard as to how no one in his number had ever engaged in such frivolity. Was he the most human of the group? Spikes and all, he had gotten... well it didn't bear mentioning.
The boy stands shakily and stammers, "Uh...uhm..."
"Ten..."
Panicking, the boy tries again, "We...uh..."
"Five..."
A comely girl with features similar to Dilman's stands up and interjects as the lad is on the verge of a panic attack, "We're just playing a game! It's not harming anybody!"
Cimri responds with a smirk, "You're probably not playing it right then. Try using your nails sometime, makes 'em squeal" When the youths stare in shock she shrugs and steps into the background again.
Rurisa snorts at the absurdity of the situation. "I'm surprised at you, Dilman, I had you pegged as more of a stick in the mud. Sorry kids, no more kisses tonight, and consider this your first and final warning on exceeding the gathering limit. Before you go we'll get all of your names and residences. Trevor, see to it would you?"
Clomping back down the stairs, she motions for Fortmile to stand. "We're here on a tip, we'd like to take a look at your recent correspondence, any and all messages or copies of messages that you have."
Trevor gets out some paper and his quill. Please do as Madam Rurisa suggests. He will write down names and addresses.
The blushing faces of the youths might set fire to the wool curtains, but they otherwise comply with Rurisa's order without issue. The most surly looking one is Dilman's daughter who quickly shoos her friends away.
The postmaster nods and pulls out all of the correspondence he has going through this week.
You do manage to find another letter from Dr. Rohalendi.
My dearest Nivianne,
I'm not certain if my last letter reached you describing my situation, but I have an update on it. The new law enforcement in town has actually come and helped me. I'm a third of the way to being paid back. Luckily I've been able to pay in small installments and with luck I'll be able to continue this and pay off all of my taxes. Then I can keep the hospice open!
Regards,
Gerya
Trevor keeps writing
Ever suspicious, Rurisa's eyes miss nothing as they roam the room and study its occupants.
Vokrin examines various letters that are presented to him.
Moving next to Penance, Rurisa kneels down to whisper softly so only he can hear.
"Dilman's daughter is up to something, passing messages. There are carrier pigeons by the upper window too, secure them if you can. I'm going to block the door and figure out what's going on."
The Hellrazor moves with long, swift strides to the front door, seizing a heavy piece of furniture and hauling it in front of the door to block it, though trying not to damage anything if it could be helped. Turning back, she says loudly and clearly. "Gentlemen, please keep an eye on any rear doors or windows. If anyone runs, arrest them, no need to be gentle about it either." She turns squarely to face the youngest Dilman whelp, palm extended and eyes steely. "You've got guts, sweetheart, but we've been at this longer than you. I don't wish to have to become unpleasant, so everyone hand over your secret messages and then we'll decide how deep the s~#~ you're in is."
Dilman's girl, steely eyed and cheeks darkening, pulls out a scrap of parchment from one of her socks and hands it to Rurisa. It is a simple note with a date - today - and a time - just after sunset - followed by a string of shorthand. Puzzling it out quickly Cimri reads aloud, "Can't wait for tonight, see everyone there, don't forget to tell the others. Old Lodge"
The youths are all glancing nervously back and forth, trying their best not to look guilty. Dilman's daughter keeps her tongue and doesn't respond when questioned at all. Cimri looks at the rest of you and says, "This smells fishy. I say we arrest them all and see what's going on tonight at the Old Lodge."
Investigating the roost bears some fruit. There are three ravens in it right now, but only one bears a message. Strangely, it is sealed with the royal crest and is unopened.
Penance listned to Rurisa's instructions and nodded. He slowly made his way through those gathered, nodding and smiling until he was at the window. He stopped there and turned around, glancing at everyone before climbing out and heading onto the overhang. He carefully opened the roost and began looking for any notes attached to the birds.
"The royal crest" he wondered aloud as he climbed back in through the window. "Now that is odd. Why do you suppose our lord would be using a small post like this one to send official missives? I would think that his lordship would have a more official avenue available to him, don't you think?"
He walked over to present the note to Rurisa.
Arching an eyebrow at everyone in the room, Rurisa lets the silence drag on for a moment. "So what's happening at the Old Lodge these days?" she drawls after a moment. "Don't be stubborn, the harder you make us work on this the harder we'll have to come down on you, on the principle of the thing."
Accepting the note from Pence, she turns it over before handing it back. "Good catch Penance. We'll have our, aha, expert take a look at it to assess its veracity."
Trevor cloicks his book shut and waits for whatever will happen.
While Dilman's daughter continues to say nothing, one of the boys speaks up, "Just a gatherin'... of friends... S'all..."
Mmmm..
Rurisa waits another moment longer, giving everyone a thorough chance to speak up. As the silence draws out, she sighs in genuine irritation. "So that's how it's going to be? So be it. You're all being detained effective immediately. Master Dilman, you will surrender to us the keys to this household, we'll be holding you all here until we've investigated your whelps' activities to our satisfaction."
Turning back to her companions, she notes, "We'll need to get the deputies involved to keep them all here while we check out Old Lodge. Any of you want to run get them?"
I will be willing to gather them Trevor will head out when dismissed.
Bennie looks shocked as Dilman starts handing over his keys. "Pa! You need to stop kowtowing to them!" He rushes forward, fist pulled back to throw a punch but trips over Cimri's well placed foot and crashes to the ground at your feet.
Dilman sighs and shakes his head, "Durned fool. You need to realize that sort of rebellion earns you nothing but ire and lashes." He turns to you, "Please forgive my son and daughters, they're filled with youthful whimsy, nothing more."
Trevor quickly returns with the deputies, all three with backup sets of manacles in case you wish to restrain as well as detain the youths. Cimri nods to them and waves for everyone to follow her. "We'll be getting to the Old Lodge just after sundown, do we rely on the light of the moon and stars or go in torches blazing?"
The Hellrazor's lip curls disdainfully as she stares down at the young man sprawled at her feet. "Be grateful she tripped you, I wouldn't have been gentle with you," she turns away from the youth dismissively and accepts the keys from Dilman, turning them over to the deputies when they arrive.
Mulling over Cimri's question for a moment, the mercenary nods to herself. "We'll rely on moonlight, give them as little time as possible to scatter or hide any evidence. Some of you may need to go ahead, I've no skill at stealth."
The moonlight is enough for most of the party to see by on the way to Old Lodge. Only Cimri and Rurisa have trouble, various potholes in the road and strange shapes causing trips and slips. Once your party circles south you can see several fires from the direction of that temple. It looks like people from the town wouldn't be able to see the fires based on where they are located. You get within two hundred feet of the site when you begin seeing shapes and shadows of people in the distance.
"I can cause some of them to fall asleep, making our way easier. I'd need to be closer though." Vokrin suggests, as the fewer foes the easier the fight would be.
I can send some fleeing with fear
"Penance, Trevor, do you think you could sneak forward and give us an idea of what we're dealing with? I'm no lightfoot, I'll hold back until we're ready."
I can make the attempt. Trevor tries to be stealthy.
Cimri climbs up a nearby tree to keep a lookout while Trevor and Penance go to explore.
As Trevor and Penance inch closer through the underbrush the figures in the distance become clearer. They are all youths from the town, several with bottles in their hands. A large bonfire is crackling off to the side of the ruins, and while some of them have daggers tied to belts or in boots none of them are aware of their surroundings.
Trevor looks at Penance and nods back towards the others with a questioning look.
Why did they all have bottles? Penance wondered. It didn't make any sense. He couldn't recall hearing about any games involving so many bottles. Now the daggers he could understand. It would be unwise to venture out after dark without some kind of personal protection. He wondered how they would react if attacked. He contemplated summoning something to challenge their capabilities but thought better of it. He wasn't sure the others would appreciate the information it would provide. Besides, what if someone perished? They couldn't question a dead man. At least, not yet.
Looking back at Trevor he noticed him waiting for a response. With no real alternatives, he nodded in agreement and began heading back to report their findings.
Rurisa listens to Penance and Trevor's report, annoyance clear on her face. "So they're having, what, a party? It's a violation of the Archbaron's decrees, but it doesn't seem seditious. Let's keep an eye on them for a bit longer, but I think those letters Penance and Vorkin discovered are what Razelgro sent us to find. Let's move closer and try to listen to them, I doubt they're plotting but gaining information couldn't hurt. At my signal we'll step out, and send them all home."
Rurisa hangs back for a few minutes after the others advance, not wanting to spoil the others' efforts with her own relative clumsiness at sneaking.
Trevor nods and will head back to snoop
Vokrin grumbles, but doesn't say anything committal. Children deserved some fun, and it wasn't hurting anyone... at least not so far as he could tell. "The children have big mouths, but children should be children... once they are adults, however, we should curb this behavior."
"They're not much younger than I, Vorkin. Certainly old enough to know better. They should see their youthful folly for what it is."