Well they all seem to be in on it, let us head back down.
Thinking quickly as to keep the man here.
The constable is upstairs right now. He will want to talk to you. So please come and have a seat.
Cerilis tilts his head to the side as if hearing something.
Sounds like they are almost done searching upstairs. Should not be too much longer now. Do you know these gentlemen?
Pointing at the dead men on the floor, Cerilis sheaves his weapon and motions for the gentlemen to come in and sit down.
Ravenna nods to Augier, sheathes her rapier, and accompanies him back down the stairs.
The villager stays right where he is, expecting to see the constable and his men shortly. He is visibly eager to leave the scene of such carnage and let someone else worry over breakfast.
Frightened, the villager shakes his head no to indicate that he doesn't know the deceased.
Augier waits upstairs, no doubt hearing what is going on downstairs
Cerilis stand and walks away from the carnage and ask the villager to follow him.
I am sorry, You do not need to see this. Would you care to stand over here or would you feel more comfortable being outside.
What is your name good sir. My name is Cerilis and my companions and I were on our way to Hook Hill when these gentlemen decided to try and rob us. This seems like a nice town, does this happen often her.
Cerilis is watching the villager as he begins to answer
"My name is Konas Ormand", the young man says timidly. "My mother sent me here with some goods from our farm for Mr. Beswill."
"I would prefer to return home. My father is the mayor. I think that he should know about this."
As far as Cerilis knows, the young man is telling the truth.
Master Ormand, It is a pleasure to meet you. I would also like to meet your father the Mayor. My companions and I would like very much to discuss what has been going on in his town. Would you be willing to accept an escort.
Cerilis takes a step back and looks towards the stairs.
Constable, My companions and I should be on our way to see the Mayor about what has happened. We will leave you alone to your investigation.
In light of what has happened here tonight I would like to escort Master Ormand to his home.
Augier comes down the stairs. Constable Augier reporting.
The young man looks confused at the sight of the dwarf. "You are not the constable. What is going on here?" He says. " I should be going home now."
The young man slowly backs up towards the door, disregarding the dropped crate and looking to bolt away.
Cerilis gives a slight smile
Augier, I do not think the constable would appreciate your impersonation. You are way to short to pull that one off.
Sh*t, I do hope that constable is human or I just screwed us
With a neutral voice
Augier this is Master Ormand, Master Ormand this is Augier one of my companions. Now your father should be informed of what has happened right away. We only wish to help figure out what is going on in this town. Shall we get going.
Once again he turns towards the stairs and with a slightly louder voice than before.
Come on guys lets go.
Sorry, tasteless joke there. Plus I think I was going to be a deputy if I was helping the watch, correct?
Zirul sits at the bar with a wash rag of ice nursing his bruises from the resent fights and in his head thanking Arete that things didn't end worse for him.
When Cerilis call for them, Zirul sets down his ice pack and quietly walks over to join his companions.
Siondel, also nursing bruises, follows with bow in hand.
Medved remains in close proximity, acting more as a large dog than a small bear.
Hopefully, this young man proves as perceptive as most humans, and asks not about the blood on Medved...
"Lead the way, Cerilis"
Cerilis looks at Konas
Master Ormand, If you would lead the way please. It has been a long night and I for one would like to get some answers.
I hate using the kid to get to his father. I hate it even more that I am planning on killing him and his family if they are part of these abductions. I only hope that this leads us to some answers instead of more blood.
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Kid has nice boots, wonder if they are my size.
"There's nothing to worry about," says Ravenna confidently. "I mean, there may be other... malcontents working with lizard-people in town, but we're not going to let them hurt anyone if we can help it!"
Zirul will cast Detect Evil one the young man and hope that this time he won't get attacked while discovering the boy's true nature.
The young man is anxious in general, but looks around when Zirul tries discern the nature of the boy. He determines that the young man has a good heart.
The young man cautiously leads the out-of-towners to his home at the break of dawn.
The house is set well back from the road, and is partially screened by a pair of medium-sized elms.
This is by far the most imposing house in the village. The walls have been regularly whitewashed and the roof gleams with new wooden shingles. A wide porch crosses the entire front of the house, and columns of wood support the overwhelming roof. The columns have been carved into leafy patterns by skilled craftsman.
" This is it. My father should just be waking up. Can I go in first and let him know that he has visitors?" the young man requests.
Master Ormand, it is customary for a man of your father's station to receive guest in the receiving room and all rules of hospitality will be honored. He sighs and takes a single step towards the young man.
...but I do understand that tonight's situation is...unique. To say the least. If you feel more comfortable with us waiting outside, then we will oblige your request.
"Thank you sir." The young man acknowledges the kind gesture, but is still afraid of the newcomers.
About two minutes later, the young man returns to the door and invited them all in. "You are welcome to join us for breakfast."
He holds the large wooden door open for the guests of the manor and points them in the direction of a study where the mayor is sitting behind a large oak desk.
Augier comes inside rather catiously.
While waiting outside for the young man to return.
Let us keep hope that this man is not part of the problems in this town. It would be nice to see and talk to a friendly face for a change.
Cerilis looses his weapon in its scabbard, making sure it is ready to be used if the need arises.
but be ready just in case.
as the young man returns
We thank you kindly for your generosity
He walks in with his eyes moving from place to place. Scanning the shadows for hidden enemies.
"Breakfast sounds good. I hope they have sausage and grits, I really enjoy those in the morning."
Siondel enters, bow in hand, with Medved alongside him.
"Apologies sir," another young man says to Siondel, "you cannot bring a bear into the house.
Zirul chuckle a little to himself "Why would he think his BEAR would be welcome in the mayors house?" Walking in Zirul has his hand on the hilt of his bastard sword with hope that it will be able to stay where it is.
"Okay, sure. Medved, stay." Siondel instructs Medved to sit near the entrance, pulling out a small bit of food and tossing it to him.
Elven: "I'll call you if I need your aid, my friend." with a a tussle of his ears, Siondel enters in search of breakfast.
Ravenna enters with a smile, but her body language is cautious. She removes her hat and bows as she crosses the doorframe.
Augier will make sure to stay near a window to keep an eye out.
The mayor is freshly dressed, sitting behind his solid oak desk thumbing through some parchment letters. You can smell fresh bread, eggs and ham cooking somewhere inside the house. You are invited to be seated on the upholstered chairs that are opposite of the desk. The young man offers you something to drink, and quickly returns with whatever you asked for.
"So, what brings you to Orlane?" the mayor inquires almost immediately.
Holding her hat in one hand, Ravenna accepts a plate of eggs with the other and says, "Good sir mayor, we were just traveling on our way to Hookhill. We decided to stay the night at your local accommodations, and we were accosted in our rooms by horrible lizard-like creatures with human allies! We were able to escape, but we fear that your town may be in peril."
" Lizard creatures!?" he interjects with alarm. "My son says that he saw you standing over the bodies of some cloaked men in the Golden Grain."
"What was the cause of the fray?"
Cerilis shakes his head a bit.
Well this is going to be fun
Scratching his chin in though. and looking at the mayor.
Lord mayor, let us explain what we mean and what has happened. As my companion has stated...We rented rooms at the Golden Grain Inn last night. A few hours ago while we were asleep in our rooms, several of these lizard creatures came into one of our rooms uninvited. There were escorted by a female human with blond hair. We were able to fight them off killing two in the process. The others fled. Some of the rooms upstairs are connected by way of a secret door allowing access for what purpose is anyone's guess. I am leaning towards abduction for they were wielding clubs to knock us out. It was then that we as a group decided that we needed to investigate the other rooms to see if anyone else was in trouble. There...were... five soldiers that were in a room upstairs that were prepared for battle, which is very odd considering the time of the night. They claimed that they heard a commotion and were preparing to investigate themselves. They attacked with abandonment when it was found out that they were not being truthful on their intentions towards us. They mention that they sent someone for the Constable of this town. Which to me was a little off, but I did not think more on. We as a group went downstairs to meet with this constable. Waiting for us downstairs were these cloaked men. Their intentions were clear and battle was joined and those cloaked men are now lying on the floor of that inn. Still waiting for the constable to show up some of us decided to continue to search upstairs for others that might be in distress.
Cerilis turns to the young man
That is when you came in Master Ormand. I apologize for deceiving you on the true whereabouts of the constable. We did not know who you were. We do not know where he is but I am thinking he is in on this as well. I have dealt with many people over the years and when you are cornered and are up to no good...you will call on an ally for help. If you are of good heart, cornered and have no ill intentions...you will look to the law for help. Those men claimed to have sent word to the constable and when we got downstairs we were assaulted again. Now I am pretty fast, but this was too fast. They were sent there for one purpose. That would lead me to believe that the constable is part of these nefarious acts...So this now bring us to the now.
Cerilis looks at the others and then back to the mayor
We have been assaulted this very night in your town. By who and what we do not know. You have about a dozen men and creatures that are dead and we would like to know what you know of what is happening in your own town. Lord Mayor. Please help us and maybe we can help you....
Loading a plate with eggs, ham, and toast, Siondel orders a tea from the lad and sits down to tuck in.
He nods at Cerilis's description but does not add anything further to the conversation just yet.
When Cerilis had completed his description on the night events Zirul steps forward. "There was something else, Lord Mayor. Each man that accosted us bore the same tattoo on their chest. It was of a serpent in a circular shape, swallowing its tail. Do you perchance know anything of this symbol?" After mentioning the tattoo Zirul will observe the Mayor's reaction.
The mayor looks completely taken aback at the mention of the attempted abduction.
"This town has always been a haven for travelers. The Golden Grain is one of the town's finest establishments."
At the mention of walking lizardfolk, he appears truly perplexed and almost shocked at such an outlandish claim. "Wow...incredible. I don't know what to say. I mean there are some rather large crocs around the swamp. Maybe you had too much ale?" After thinking for a quick moment, the business of the town emerged rapidly.
"Did you mention this to anyone else?" he demands to know. He points with urgency at his son to shut the door to the study so that the rest of the family does not her what is being discussed. Glancing cautiously around the room, he begins...
" You know, something strange is going on around town. Some folks have left, some leave and return a few days later. Something is off about them. I haven't seen many go to the temple anymore come to think of it." He divulges this with great hesitation.
"There are rumors that a strange sorcerer has been seen in the grove. As for the constable, he is a bit slow to act, but he really is the only help that I have in town. Whatever you do, you must promise discretion. I can't have the town in a panic. I would be most grateful with your assistance on this matter." The mayor leans back in his chair, worriedly stirring his breakfast tea.
"Can you draw the symbol on a piece of paper?" he inquired of Zirul.
Augier uses his expert scribing skills to duplicate the symbol.