"Best we tip our hats and shows some respect in the area, could be a druid about. Don't start nothing, and hopefully nothing will get started."
Gared approaches the nymph, but stays at a respectful distance on the river bank.
"Greetings," he calls out in a clarion voice, "My friends and I wish to secure passage across the river. We carry ingredients to cure the plague that ravages the town of Falcon's Hollow, which should also help in purifying the local water supply. Would you grant us permission to enter your domain?"
The beautiful water fairy responds with a fey giggle. Then begins to speak
My name is Ruesella, my friends told me of your treatment of the tiny Pech which were murdered near the Ancient Tree. Of course you may cross, but might I ask a favor from you Master Gared of Darkmoon Vale?
Gared nods in agreement.
"Of course you may, Ruesella," he replies.
The fairy's eyes harden a bit as she replies
Find the murderer of the Pech. Return him to me, dead or alive. His name is Feilgn Bardas, the Fairy Court of Darkmoon Vale has noticed his crimes against our kind and have judged him guilty.
The nymph splashes back into the river and things begin to return to a state of normalcy.
With all the Aid another rolls Gared manages to find the safe fording spot easily and the party crosses with ease. You travel a few more hours before nightfall. You manage to make it all the way to Elara's before nightfall and she welcomes you into her orphanage.
Welcome! Did you manage to find the things you were looking for?
"That we did, ma'am. And a little something extra as well, though it very nearly cost us a hefty price. We hope to get into town first thing tomorrow morning to deliver it all and get everyone back on the path to recovery. Speaking of, how's that girl that got bit doing?"
Elara's face clouds a bit
Jeva's fine. But we did have another child take a nasty fall....poor Emogene didn't make it. Our gardener was also wounded when his scythe came undone mid swing!, perhaps one of you can see to his wound?
"How did the child fall?" he asks, curiosity getting the better of him. "I'd have thought your gardener would be more careful with his instruments. We can, of course, tend to his wound."
Lucanor waits patiently. I'd rather get these ingredients back to the Hollow soon, but another half hour won't kill anyone else i suppose. And we won't make much progress at night anyhow
Elara responds to Gared's questions
We aren't sure how poor Emogene fell down the stairs. She was a poor young lass of 9 summers, she knew better than to climb where she wasn't supposed to be. When Mister Yritry got to her she was already dead from the broke neck.
Lucanor raises a brow at that. And if there are any children in view, appraises their reactions
Percival frowns for a moment, hearing the answer. "I can tend to your gardener, ma'am. But may I be permitted to examine Emogene?"
In response to Percival's question Elara narrows her eyes and says
Why'd you want to disturb the dead mister?
She shows Percival the wounded gardener Yritry who's left leg was almost severed. How the man managed to stay alive after such a wound is nothing short of miraculous to you Percival
Your healing curative restores some color to the man who was deathly gray. He rouses a little but does not regain consciousness. He needs some time to recover from his wound.
Percival gives a small wince as he realizes his mistake. "My apologies, I thought the child was not yet laid to her rest. Now, your gardener..."
Gared fixes Elara with a stern gaze.
"You're holding something back, Elara. Remember that I'm a deputy of the town, so it's best you tell me the whole truth now," he says, crossing his arms for emphasis.
Holding something back! Perhaps I'll be holding back my invitation to you, you little ungrateful boy! How dare you accuse me of impropriety. I been raising the orphans of this vale for longer than you been alive!
Elara addresses herself to Percival.
Kind sir, will Yirtry be ok?
Percival nods. "He will; blood flow has stopped, and my poultice should be sufficient in deterring infection. Please make sure he receives some rest and avoids dirtying or breaking the bandages as much as possible."
Michael jumps into the conversation in an attempt to cool things down a little bit.
"Ma'am, don't mind Gared. He doesn't mean to be rude. He and I just got into a a bit of a heated discussion about certain things that came to light over the last couple days, and it just added to the stress that our woodland journey caused us all. I don't think he's quite had time to work it all out, and I think he's just taking it out on others a little bit right now. Accidents happen, and I'm sure you did all you could for little Miss Emogene."
Michael then pulls Gared to the side and whispers to him.
"Calm down. If you think something is wrong, I'll help you figure it out later. But for right now lets just keep things civil, ok?"
Gared looks hard at Michael, then shrugs his shoulders as he addresses Elara.
When he takes him to one side, Gared nods.
"Something isn't right here, Michael. I think Elara is telling the truth for the most part, but she's deliberately missing something out. We'll find out what tonight," he replies.
Elara ushers the party to a room that has beds just a bit too small for adults. She bids you good evening.
Morning comes swiftly and the party rises before the orphans, Elara hands each of you a cold roll and cheese to break fast with and wishes you well.
During the night, Gared rises and sneaks around the orphanage, unarmoured, to see if Elara has hidden anything from them.
Hecktor wakes up from sleeping off his injuries. Feeling well he turns his neck towards both directions and swings his shoulders. Looking up he's quite somewhere else than when he passed out.
"Good day guys. With us being..back at the orphanage, i assume things went well on the travels back?"
He looks around and sees Gared. He walks up to him, slightly shakes his head...albeit with a small grin.
"don't go getting yourself killed man. Teamwork is key.
Anyway, good to see you still in one piece."
"Come to think of it, how is the girl doing?"
In the morning on the way to town, Michael asks Gared, "So, did you check things out last night? Anything unusual?"
The sweet sweet sounds of silence.
"Nothing," Gared replies, "Although she was definitely hiding something from us. I'll mention it to the Sheriff as there were some empty beds, four in total. However, we should get on the road and get back to town as quickly as possible."
Lucanor opens an eye, "Everything alright?"
"On the surface, at least," Gared mutters darkly, "I just have a gut feeling something is going on. Probably with that girl. I'll inform the Sheriff and he'll know how to handle it, as it is obvious that Elara won't let me into the locked rooms without an unholy row."
"Something DOES feel fishy here," The Inquisitor admits, "I've..some familiarity with investigations, and this place is just screaming for one. Problem is, we don't have time to do it proper. Sounds like your idea of going to the Hollow and then telling the sheriff is for the best."
Your ride from Elara's Halfway House to the town is fairly uneventful. You pass no other travelers on the dirty little path until you get about 2 miles from the walls of Falcon's Hollow.
You see a small group of people (about 4) standing in the road about 100 yards ahead they seem to be bothering with something.
From what you can tell they look like locals.
Michael spurs Adrienne into a slightly faster trot but doesn't speak as he approaches the group of locals, hoping that if they don't hear him speak they'll ignore him and continue about their business. As draws near he attempts to catch sight of what it is they're doing.
Percival proceeds forward calmly.
Hecktor walks in a calm pase alongside his comrades.
People crowding together in the middle of the road? Something's up.
He tries to hear what the fuss is about as the group comes closer to the people on the road.
Lucanor also stays calm as he approaches. Trying to notice anything out of the ordinary and maybe overhear their conversation, and if he can get a read on their moods, even better.
Gared also approaches calmly, attempting to see what it is that the men are fiddling with.
The party approaches to within 50' of the group and sees the men messing with a broken wagon wheel. One of the men calls out
Hey you with the horse can ya come help us here! Our wagon's busted and we were bringing medicine to the town.
Ok, everyone post one standard action's worth of stuff that your character will do in response. We will continue this encounter later today or tonight.
Percival frowns and begins walking briskly forward towards the wagon. "Oh dear... I do hope the breakage has not shattered any of the medicinal items... I should inspect them."
"Careful Doc," Lucanor whispers to Percivel and the others, "Something's off here. But this don't feel right. Anybody else get that feeling or notice anything odd?"
Lucanor narrows his eyes...
Hecktor bows a little to catch Lucanor's whisper.
"Perhaps, but i wasn't able to see anything off just yet."
Hecktor attempts to take another look.