Terflynn pulls out his journal as he sips a cup of something cheap and alcoholic. "What do you think of my new formula?" Terflynn says as he passes the journal to Zachary.
"It still needs something I think." Zack answers vaguely while writing back.
"What do you think about this?" He asks while sliding the book across the table.
"Hmm... yes..."
I can take up a disguise and tail the fellow, if you are willing to play bait.
Zack takes the journal back and looks at it.
"Yes I believe that will work. How long do you think you will need to complete this for me?" He asks, continuing the charade.
"Finish your drink. I'll meet you again at dusk with everything I need."
Terflynn finds a private place to remake himself, emerging into the streets as a different person entirely.
Zack takes his time finishing his ale before stepping out and playing the part of bait.
Terflynn heads back outside and after a few moments notes a a man lingering outside. He is a 15-year-old Tian boy.
After strolling through the town, Jennix eventually tracks down Zachary, after stopping off at a few other drinking establishments. Entering, he looks around. "Where are the others?"
Terflynn will attempt to track the boy while remaining unnoticed himself.
Not recognizing Terflynn in his disguise, the boy is simply standing guard outside the bar waiting for the party to exit.
"Terflynn is working on a secret formula that we should see the results of soon if you stick around. I haven't seen Miso in awhile though." Zack responds cryptically.
Terflynn works to position himself in a gutter between the party and the following boy, flagging him down as he passes. "Alms? Alms for the poor? Alms for the sick and dying?"
"Arms? I'm not giving you my arms, mister!" Upon closer inspection, he really is a young Tian boy. "Go away! What do you want?"
"You've business with those men, is it?" Terflynn says with a chuckle.
---
"No, not my business. I was just hired by a hooded man to follow them and leave reports under a barrel on the river docks."
"Heh. Hooded man, is it? Heh. Well, how much 'is he paying?" Terflynn asks greedily.
"Enough. What's it to you? Don't look like you have any more'n he does."
"I know something he might want to know. Heh. Where could I find this hooded man? I could use a few coppers myself. A few coppers, is it? Heh."
"I just leave the notes under the barrel. He gave me the job and he'll pay me when they're done. Anonymity, you know?"
"Anonymity is it? Heh. Mind yourself boy. There are dangerous men in this town."
With that, Terflynn shuffles off, hand outstretched, begging to other strangers. "Alms? Charity for the poor?"
Terflynn makes his way back to the docks and finds a barrel that is out of place but there is nothing left beneath it by the time he gets to it.
As Terflynn makes his way back to the bar to rejoin everyone else, a blind a crippled beggar on the street calls out to him, "They know who you are and are coming for you."
"What's that? Who?" Terflynn inquires.
"I don't be knowin'. Just told to tell you."
"By whom?"
"N'case you can't tell, my eyes haven't been workin' too good in a long time. They said to wait for the smell of burned cabbages and that'd be you."
Terflynn squints in irritation. "They paid you in advance?"
"When are you expecting payment?"
"Yep. Where am I supposed to run to? You think they wouldn't be able to track down a blind man and beat it out of him?"
Terflynn doesn't think the poor beggar can offer any more information and so joins the rest of the party back at the tavern. The tavern does offer rooms to travelers if you wish to stay the night.
The party stays the night at the inn-a pleasant sleep in a well furnished room provides much-needed rest.
Miso is silent while the elf recaps what the day's experience has brought. After a bit, he speaks. This seems odd. We ourselves did not know we were coming here until a short while ago. How is it that others have not only learned of this but have found intermediaries to keep track of us? Has someone in Ameiko's employ been talking out of turn?
"It seems possible. Has anyone been throwing a larger amount of money around than usual?" Zack responds to kellid.
"It is unlikely that someone has sold us out. We do rather stand out as foreigners, yes? It is likely that with the launch of our mission, a counter-mission by those with opposing interest has also begun. I suspect we will encounter agents of unknown forces for the foreseeable future. It may be necessary to become masters of stealth or disguise."
Jennix listens gravely as Terflynn describes what transpired. "I for one haven't been throwing money around. I didn't know we had any." He says, ruefully looking at the elf. "As far as I can put together, there's nothing to be done. At least we know it's coming. They should have that much of a surprise in us."
"I don't know that there's any action we can take at present. Perhaps we'd best go see the collector. Just be mindful of those around you."
"Yes, I need to see someone in town about having my bow enchanted. After That I suggest we go pay Fynn a visit."
"Aye, I'd like to pick up some nicer weapons as well."
The party spends the day upgrading some gear before going to visit Fynn Snaevald.
Simply knocking at the sturdy door of Snaevald's home brings an answer from the old merchant himself. Fynn is slender and wiry with blue veins crawling across his arms and neck beneath a shock of white beard and hair that floats around his head like a halo.
"Oh! Hello, how may I help you?"
"Hi. Zack Chase. You are Fynn I take it?" He asks the old man that shows up at the door.
Terflynn, being naturally suspicious, attempts to discern any deception.
"Why yes, I am Fynn. Pleasure to meet you, Zach. What can I help you with?"
Terflynn thinks the man is genuine.
"May we step in for a moment? I have an inquiry about an object you may have purchased in the past." Zack asks the northerner.
"Certainly, certainly, come in. Let's get to it! I don't get many visitors any more. What can I help you with?"
Terflynn goes inside, but keeps an eye out through the windows.
Miso steps inside. He will seek to aid anyone who takes the lead (presumably Jennix) using Diplomacy with Fynn by emphasizing what they say.