"Yes, of course. Lead on. I have all of the traveling supplies I need."
Meryl had zoned out slightly, but at the mention of travels and similar ventures she quickly perked up. "I'm ready to go! I've got all the things I need to both field test and camp in the wilds, so I'm prepared! ... ... Just... one thing; can I please get to not travel by horseback? The critters seem to despise me for some reason."
Jeggs asks for a few minor things, mostly trail foods and spices he had become fond of, and a Shiny new buckler caught his eye. After a bit, though, he was ready to get his precious Sabres back in his hands and get on with it. He sits with the others as they gather, meticulously sharpening between each tooth of his blades with a special rod.
Aika looks to those without a horse. It seems she somehow gained a carriage, and invites those without horses inside.
Your travel begins very smoothly, and the road you have chosen seems fairly barren. Eventually, though, you reach the town you were looking for. The sun rests directly above, having traveled for a few days. With huge forests to either side of the road, you can only assume the town itself is surrounded. Your suspicions are confirmed when you eventually begin seeing people and housing within the forests. Some of the larger buildings are on the ground, and many small buildings hang from the trees. Marking the town center is a large clay statue of an old man with a large crown. Red, silken robes are adorned on the statue.
This is King Myres III, of Lamira.
You are not directly greeted, though a few armed men watch as you pass. People walk around, and it appears most of the buildings on the ground are workplaces and shops.
Duran does his best to greet the townspeople as he passes and just generally mingle.
"So, where do we begin? The people may know something about the theft, but the guards could also present a more official route."
Talking to the citizens reveals very little. Those of you that aren't human are spit at or not talked to. The guards state bluntly that there were two armed men they hadn't seen before heading west, towards the forbidden forests.
"I doubt they'd go inside. Not only are the walls guarded at all times, everyone in history who has entered has never left. They're probably somewhere nearby the wall, between towns. Noone ever leaves the roadside out there. If you're lookin' to follow 'em, bring torches, alchemists fire, and everything else fire related. Not only is it pitch black at night, there are legends of creatures that have escaped the forbidden forests. Just legends, but still. Safe rather than sorry."
If nothing else in this town interests you, you keep moving.
Heading west, you ride far into the night until you settle down a little offroad. The carriage provides one possible shelter, and the horses are tied on trees. You may make a fire, take shifts, discuss, and do pretty much whatever you'd like. If you decide to take shifts, you may discuss
"Looks like we have nothing more to do here. Lets move on and look for those two. They are ahead of us and if these woods are indeed as dangerous as these people say, our targets could even be dead and gone."
Jeggs waits on the outskirts of town with his hood up and beak hidden behind the raised lapel of his jacket. "Pigheaded bastards..." he mumbled from time to time.
"What of your questioning, mates? Any leads? I hope you managed to find decent folk, or at least ones who didn't see you ride into town with me..."
"Ho ho ho" chuckles Duran "They're just easily spooked, they're good people deep down."
"Anyways no, there wasn't much to be had in the way of information. The guards spoke though, it seems our culprits have headed into the forest."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. People up near the forests have a hard time with outsiders. Surprised we weren't thrown out by the guards for 'causing trouble.' The woods aren't too bad, most of the legends are just scary stories to tell around a fire. Speaking of, we should definitely tell some tales around the fire tonight! Also, I don't have to sleep too long, so I can take multiple watches if you'd all like!"