Leaning against the wall and watching the gnome pace, "Yeah I noticed that. So I am guessing he is always like that seeing as you are really pissed about it?"
A trio of guards come through the crowd. Their leader looks about and seems rather irate at the moment.
"I assume that you four are the cause of this ruckus?" He bites off each word like he's trying to tear off chunks of wood.
"He was planning on using them to get us back into the Imperial Court. They all have beautiful voices and they can create truly beautiful and awe inspiring paintings. They even offered to do the ceiling of the church a year or two ago. The priests turned them down," he smiles a bit as he remembers better times.
"If it wasn't illegal, I believe he would have made them slaves. It grated on them too. They are much to free-spirited. They've disappeared before, but most of the time, there's not signs of a scuffle near where they were last seen. I'm afraid too many feet and too much time has passed for you to be able to find their tracks."
Bartowizitz falls silent for a moment, grief and worry warring on his face.
"They slept in the bed there. There's also some clothes lying about that they'd worn. Miss, I'm not saying you should bring them back, but please, make sure my cousins are safe. We love them very much and want them to be safe."
"I caught this drow skulking around the town," Grimlack announces proudly. "Almost had to do it single handed too."
"This woman did nothing wrong, merely ordered a drink, and was assaulted by this dwarf. We're not the town that assumes evil intent, are we?"
"The elf here has been drinking and his brains be addled," He says pointing his thumb at Logram. "Truth be told he is the one that noticed something wasn't right and is eligible for part of any reward ye might be bestowin' on us."
He shrugs his shoulders, "doesn't much matter how we caught the dark elf. The fact is tht this here is a drow and it should be incarcerated and questioned."
"I merely attempted to start a conversation with a newcomer. Dialogue, trade, commerce? Foundations of civilization? And if she be a crow? Is every elf just? Is every man true? Is every dwarf, ahem, wise?"
Rubbing her face and slumping against the wall, "I will try to make sure they are safe. Beyond that it is up to them. Thanks for letting me know." Why can't people just not be asses?
Pushing off the bed and signaling Knick Knack to follow. The two take their time trying to find something that has a strong scent to it. "I will do what I can." No need to get a donkey now. Where would those three be?
Grimlak's ears turn red, "True enough but every drow is a drow."
"Thank you, Miss. I'm forever in your debt." Bartowizitz says softly before giving Runia a bow.
"This lot was making a ruckus and scaring me customers!" The Barkeep's voice rings out as he jabs a meaty finger in the direction of Grimlak, Alfgeir, Logram, and the strange elven woman who's recovering from her spill and looking about with an expression of raw terror.
"Right," the leader of the guards grumbles, "so you lot was disturbing the peace. We'll get this straightened out at the watchtower." The other guards make ready to escort the quartet to the tower on the hill near the church.
Shifting on her feet but keep quiet. I hate it when they say that before I succeed.
"Probably a good idea we accompany you to the watchtower. We don't want the prisoner to escape," the dwarf says as he glances sidelong at the drow.
There's a ruckus coming from the tavern you met the others at from what you can hear.
The guards begin to lead the four of you away. The young, very young when compared to Logram or Alfgeir, elven woman looks about, terror and panic clear on her face as she meekly complies with the guards' prodding.
This drow's behavior is nothing like the domineering swagger you've heard possesses the entire race. Indeed, it's not even like what you've heard of the drow that trade with some of the dwarven towns and cities in the Deep. At least, you've can't recall ever hearing of a drow elf being genuinely scared out of her wits.
Wincing at the claws that dig into her shoulder when Crux reclaims his place on her. Quietly pushing the door of the tavern open with one hand and keeping the other on Knacks back. Oh please let that noise be someone I don't know.
Grimlack watches the drow's odd behavior and gloats, "Ye didn't expect to find a dwarf that would thwart ye evil plans? That be why ye are so sullen ye murdering cave toad?"
"She was always shy! Does she seem some hyper competent assassin to you, stonehead?"
The strange elf flinches at Grimlak's insult and opens her mouth to protest.
Grimlak shakes his head, "I think ye be mistakin' shyness for fear." He continues to grow more certain and looks at Logram, "Ye should be takin' more of the credit Logram. If it weren't for your keen eye realizing something was wrong with this stranger I might of let her slip through my clutches." The dwarf pauses and spits, "As much as I hate to say it thanks and I'll be sharing any of the reward I get with the bunch of ye. Yep, you too Alfgier ye did more than your share in the apprehension of this foul elf."
Merciful Gods why did I leave them?Groaning and following afterwards s few steps before pushing Crux off her shoulder. Flinching at the bite to her ear, "Follow them please."
Looking around and rushing up to the barkeep, "Hey what happened? Why were the guards called?"
"Foul? What is foul about her? Besides having been involved in a fight with a dwarf," the lead guard asks as the guards take you up to the watchtower by the church. "Discipline is what allows us to thrive in this wilderness. All of you have been causing a ruckus, so we'll be letting you cool off in the tower's cells while we find out what happened."
Bureaucracy, it seems, is inescapable, even here so close to the wilds.
Meanwhile, the strange, dark-skinned elf pulls her hood back over her head and her features seem to be swallowed by shadows.
"That lot started a fuss, botherin' one o' me customers. Still didn't stop even after I threw 'em all out. Almost feel sorry for the lass. She didn't do nuthin' by me guess."
" Are ye daft lad? This here be a drow they be vile by nature. Far worse than orcs or goblin," he replies to the lead guard.
"That is unbelievably racist!"
Groaning and rubbing her face, "Thanks for letting me know."
Tugging on Knack's shoulder and rushing out of the bar.
Staring up at the sky and letting out a little whine when the drifting voices hit her ears, Why?"
Tugging on Knack and moving to trail behind the group of trouble makers. Really don't have time for this. Do I stop them? Don't wanna spend the night in jail... Yep I get first pick of loot when that rolls around and I am gonna punch all of them... Wonder if I could get Crux to just s++% on them? His aim is not that bad.
Closing her eyes for a moment before calling out, Guard!"
Waving her hands and jogging up to the guard. Keeping a hand on Knack so that Knack stays behind her.
The guards leading the four halt and turn to see Runia jogging to catch up.
"Is this an urgent matter," the leader of the small group asks as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "I've already got a few headaches to deal with as you can see, Miss...?"
The stranger shies away from Runia as much as she can, which isn't much after one of the other guards grabs her to keep her from possibly running off. SHe can just be heard muttering to herself in that strange language that Grimlak had noted earlier.
Taking a deep breath before answering, "Honestly sir I know those three and I kind of need their help for something."
Biting her lip and shooting her companions a glare, "Can I at least know what stupidity they got up to while unsupervised? I swear I am not try to worsen your headache." Yep that's what I'm gonna give all of them.
"By the stone! It is about time you got here," the dwarf exclaims to Runia. "We be catching us a drown skulking around the town. Probably up to some nefarious purpose or such." He looks around to the guards and the elves, "Can you explain to these dim witted beardless milk drinkers how dangerous drow are. Me words seem to be falling on deaf ears."
Logram sighs. "This moron dwarf attacked this poor girl for speaking a language he doesn't like. Listen to him! Everyone knows humanoid races are never all good or all bad! I'd expect a dwarf to know better!"
Crossing her arms and glaring at Grimlak, "I suppose I should also explain how everyone else is dangerous from one perspective to another, right?"
Sucking in a deep breath, "Do people discredit you? Do the people in this town think you only like to drink and fight? That you are never sober? Or that you should be back with your people drinking and making weapons? No they treat you like a person. They do not make wild and foolish assumptions just because you are dwarf but you felt it was needed with her?"
Closing her eyes a moment before looking at Grimlak again. All anger gone though it is replaced with a look of grief, "Our people should be better. Why is it so hard for dwarves to have a sense of decency and respect for others? The man at the bar said she was doing nothing wrong."
Letting out a low growl but letting Runia push him behind her. Pale blue eyes glaring around at the civilized world that has his Runia so agitated.
"Easy there! Easy!" The leader tries to calm the dwarven druid with gentle gestures and a mild tone. "We're gonna get this straightened out. If you need them, then I suppose that we can come up with something suitable for this lot," he says, "you can come with us to the watchtower. There we'll be able to get this mess sorted and we'll get your companions back to you. Does that sound good?"
"And this poor girl."
"What about her," the leader of the small squad asks, his tone just a bit sharp.
"If we go free, she goes free. All violence was the dwarf and I."
Reaching back and nudging Knack behind her, "I swear he will behave and I am sorry if my tone was hostile. I promise I do not want to cause trouble."
Nodding along with Logram, "I mean if she did nothing wrong there really isn't any reason to keep her is there?"
"Alright, fine. If you are prepared to say that she did no wrong, then she's free to go. You and dwarf will need to come with us. You're both getting fined for causing a ruckus. The boy can go you with you Miss...?"
"Runia and that sounds perfectly reasonable."
Quietly following along and stays outside with Knack, quietly scratching his shoulders. Flinching but giving no other reaction when the owl lands on her own shoulder. Bumping the owl with her head and the three sit quietly until Logram and Grimlak come out.
Standing up and glaring at them, "We will not be going bandit hunting. We are doing the one I wanted to do. It is far more important."
Turning from the building, "Come on. We need a quiet place to talk. And so help me if you to start another fight I will send flocks of birds to s#$* on you all day long. There will be nowhere you will be safe."
After about an hour, the guard is finished with both Logram and Grimlak. They fine them 25 gold apiece, to be paid then, or to be paid out of any spoils they bring from roaming the wilderness. Alfgeir leaves, complaining of an ill settled stomach. Of teh strange elf, there is no sign.
"A small price to pay for justice to be done. Now, Runia, I take it you've found out something interesting for us to investigate."
Turning so that she is walking backwards and nodding, "Yep. That's my job."
Turning back around and looking back and forth before finding a quiet place to stop at. Waving Lorgram and Grimlak over, "So those 'birds' belong to a older gnome and they are his nieces. I'm not sure the best place for them is with him but the family thinks they were kidnapped. And since the grandfather was using their skills to get into better social standing it seems likely."
The snow from the recent fall is undisturbed around the church save from the front doors to the main path. While the nearby watchtower is taller, the church is easily the largest building in Iron Bay. Looking around, it becomes obvious that any tracks that were left have long since vanished, and Knick Knack cannot find the scent.
Still, there might be someone who heard something when the gnomes were kidnapped. Perhaps one of the priests?