Astor is similarly filled in by Jerrid as to the presence of the merchants guards in the other Inn, the ones looking for Lannet. He does this surreptiously away from Voril. This all happens after they listen to the story of Arialle and Nathiel.
Since Voril never answered Damien's question, he asks him again before they leave for the market, "when and where did Nathiel take Arialle? Perhaps we can find her for you especially with that suit of armour on offer. Janna guesses the forest keep but I want to hear what you think."
****
Janna too gets the information about Lannet's hunters. "Perhaps you should tell Samduc and Kevezyat so that Lannet knows to stay with us even more? I'm going to the market to buy a big long whip."
He goes there with Astor and watches the man swop his bow for a larger model before he haggles for a whip.
1000!
Lacking any varied materials, Damien won't purchase anything from Voril.
Once finished withthe blacksmith he will pick up a couple bags of flour from the market though.
"You are human." Jerrid leaves to get that new whip.
Picking up 20 of the bolts, , Damien pays and waits for the others to finish looking around.
Once they're done he heads back to the Cockatrice, to speak with Glarian and Lannet.
On the way he keeps his eye out for anything of interest, including the merchant's guards Jerrid mentioned and the tabby cat.
Janna spends more time shopping with the others. it nice to be escorted by so many nice men...
Once back at the Cockatrice she looks over the remaining keys.
Jerrid? did you get your room key? I think I have one that is not accounted for.
Sam produces a small reversible cloak for Lannet to wear in a dark purple. He rustles around and finds some ash to color his hair.
"You look way different, let's go. We need to find out what is up."
Sam politely opens the window and gestures for his guest to go first out the window.
Astor pretty much felt useless once the man became overwhelmed by his sadness. He actually enjoys the quiet bit of time he had with Jerrid picking through the market. Neither one a man of many words their relationship worked out just fine.
Damien pays for the bolts without complaint.
Once back at the Cockatrice, Damien approaches Glarien aside from the others, "Excuse me my lady, I think you should know. There are men in town looking for the halfling as well as Lauriel, they may come calling as well. On that topic, valued customers is one thing but why are you so willing to look out for the sawed-off troublemaker? Not that I'm complaining, we would prefer no one haul him off for the time being as well."
Sam hangs and drops easily landing from height.
Whispering: "Let's go Will. I trust you know the best way."
Kevezyat descends the stairs as Damien asks his question of Glarien "Yes, that question was on my mind as well"
Janna hands the extra key back looks like I got one too many then.
she then orders a drink preferably some tea if its available
at the question posed janna will listen but her mind is focused more on the keep. wondering if she is the only one that still intends to go. or have we uncovered a mystery that is more interesting.
after a bit of reflection Janna pulls out some parchment and a pen and starts writing.
distracted from her letter writing Janna goes to see what in the world the little one outside is getting himself into.
Kevezyat turns slowly as she notices the dangling feet, a rueful smile on her lips, as she shakes her head.
As the 'boy' falls, she steps outside to pull him to his feet, [b]"Where's Lannet?"[b] she says, already scaning the street
Perception
In the village square by the market but safely away from little children, Jerrid starts to play with his whip. He flicks back and forth until he gets the hang of the best way. Coiled it fits nicely against his belt and the opportunity to hit something from fifteen feet struck him as a good thing.
Then he heads back to the Inn looking to make sure Kevezyat has been informed of the "Lannet Situation".
"I'm on it."
Sam moves off to join up with Lannet looking for the purple cloak
Cursing, Damien turns from his conversation with Glarian as he sees Samduc drop past the window, "Seems the merits of discretion are lost on some people..."
Hurrying after the other to the door he sees Samduc hurry off. He looks to Kevezyat with an annoyed expression, "Tell me, does Freya have any compunctions about dunking idiots headfirst into rain barrels?"
Muttering he strides off in the direction the halfling went, searching for both him and Lannet but not calling attention to himself.
Vhillish accompanies his fellow veteran mirthlessly. The diminutive gnome is clearly happier in the field with a squad of likeminded armsmen at his back than ill disciplined adventurers...
"Perhaps putting the halflings on a charge sah? Spot of Jankers might make them more company minded wot?"
The half-elf spits before answering, "Nothing would please me more right about now. But with this miserable lot we'd likely be facing desertions by trying anything of the sort...now that you mention it, putting these clowns on charge might be just the thing, sergeant."
Kevezyat can't suppress as smile as Samduc scurried off after Lannets ; then Damien's comments caused her to laugh out loud ,calling after him and Vhillish "Freya has confidence in her idiots to find rain barrels all on their own!"
Chuckling, she re-enters the Cockatrice and sits down to chat with Glarien "Glarien, tell me of you time in Bard's Gate, I myself have only been living there for the last two years."
Sam heads off to make sure he can bring Lannet back. The last thing he wants is to lose him.
Astor hangs back with Jerrid while he practices his whip. Then he heads back to the Inn as well, ready to kick back and relax a bit.
"We need to find out where those looking for your are, assess their numbers with capabilities, and report back to the others. If we can atop those after you AND get you some credit in town for thwarting evil forces at work, we can make your life much easier."
Sam looks around, as he thinks Jerrid would have the skills and appreciate this mission.
"Let us see if we can find the dark-skinned gnome, he can be almost as stealthy as we can. I think he even can rustle up some magic." Sam says the last statement with some awe in his voice.
As Astor walks up on Lannet and Samduc, obviously plotting something, his sixth sense picks up on the tough looking group hanging out not too far from where they are standing. Lannet's reaction to them did not go unnoticed either. Astor comes in close to the group and firmly grabs Lannet by the shoulder.
"Friends of yours?" Astor says quietly and nods faintly towards the group. "It looks like there's more you need to tell us." And with his hand still on the shoulder of the halfling he guides him towards the inn. "Come," he barks at Samduc, more of a command than a request. He just assumes that Jerrid is coming with.
"Lannet, who are these guys." Sam discreetly points to the thugs. As he sees more of the group coming from the inn.
"Oh look, more backup. Time to come up with a scouting plan. Jerrid, Lannet and I will see what they are up to and come back."
"Samduc they want Lannet. They are the merchant's guards, Lauriel says that they want the amulet that he gave our Stirge Wood wizard. Now if you scout them Samduc then I don't see a problem, but Lannet shouldn't. They know him, they want him. Lauriel and this village will go chippy choppy if we cause trouble."
"But its your funeral. I reckon we should leave Fairhill soon as the cock crows ......... or sooner."
The deep gnome walks on by, uncomfortable with talking out in the village. He looks back and waits for Astor knowing the man is good at weighing up people.
Vhillish nods sagely in agreement with his former commanding officer;
"The young lad... Samduc... speaks like a sage sah! Ain't natural like... bit peculiar if you ask me..."
The gnome shrugs his shoulders as he scratches Topper's ear with a slight smile.
"Operating with this lot feels like trying to herd cats... nigh on impossible. In the field they seem capable enough sah... but all this dalliance in magicks and subterfuge... Not my bag at all. Makes a man wistful for the army life... "
Sam nods: "Astor is right. We should be avoiding trouble and lying low until we head out tomorrow. Information is valuable--that tidbit saves us from risking exposure."
Pointing to the disguised Lannet.
"Let's get everyone buttoned up. Sending strangers running around in this town may raise suspicions. Will here can keep his new look for a while."
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Damien smirks slightly, making an occasional wistful glance around for the cat, "You still don't see it do you? Being sawed-off yourself I'd have figured you'd sniff out the smartass right quick. Must be slipping, sergeant."
"Provided the the little twits make it back in one piece we may have to share quarters for the night. Only way to make sure we're all bloody well here come the morning. As I see it we'll be wanting to get on the road a little before dawn."
Later that evening Jerrid will try to catch his diary up to date. There is much happening and problems seem to be growing.
Damien keeps an eye on both the halflings once they have made it back to the Cockatrice. Any attempts to leave the common room will be met with a heavy thump of his hammer on the floor and a withering glare.
Drinking lightly but consistently all evening, a smile for Glarian at every refill, the half-elf sets about his usual routine of maintaining his gear. Oiling his chain, checking straps for wear, the haft of his hammer for cracks, ect.
At a certain point he deems the job complete and standing, makes his way over to where Janna is sitting, "Thought we should have a talk about our plan come the morning. I'd suggest as long as we are keeping the halfling in tow we make our departure before first light. So as I understand things we're heading to the wood, to follow up on what might well be our friend Vortigern's final resting place, yes? Personally I doubt we're that lucky but if it is him, we'd best figure out what the bastard thought was so important. That said, last time I checked, you were still footing the bill for this little expedition so final say falls to you."
Leoven is with Damien and the halflings. THe young cleric is interested in starting the expedition as soon as pisible, there is a murderer who have not face justice.