Kieran and Marcus bid farewell to Elipho and head off towards Sir Eustus’ country estate, though they don’t get far as their route takes them right past Tomos’ cottage just as the Thraag’s walk out into the road.
Back at the estate, Sir Eustus asks for details and facts of Grahm’s “heroics”, and thinks the incident very strange indeed. He then asks what you think your next steps will be.
"Hey there, Thraag. How did things go on our hand? Anything interesting happen?" Kieran asks as he, Marcus and Elipho should he wish it return from the selling at the butcher's shop, 50 gold richer than they used to be.
Thraag looks back towards Tomas' house frowning heavily as he says, "Tomas was packed to leave. I am not sure why, he was acting strange but refused to talk about it. I finally just had to let him go before it got too awkward."
This information stops Kieran dead in his tracks, and he looks up with rapt attention. "The town carpenter is acting off and tries leaving the village just as we're both starting to investigate the missing animals AND there's just been a dangerous accident with the carriage, which is in his line of work?"
He shakes his head. "I think we should investigate before he leaves." The vision-impaired youth turns his milky eyes to Elipho. "I know most townsfolk of note are missing, but maybe you can try getting the mayor or whomever is in charge during his absense? To notify him something is off here."
If everyone agrees, he's walk back to the carpenter's house, knock and if no one answers, try to open the door.
Marcus follows along with Kieran, but does offer a bit of advice. "I'm not sure we, especially if I stay with you, should be making any accusations. They might just be turned back on us, or at least me.... Maybe if the Thraggs come with you I should just follow behind them?"
"We can go try and talk to him again. But I doubt he has anything to do with the missing dog or the carriage for that matter." Thraag will shrug and follow Kieran back up to the house.
When Grahm finds himself a chance to detatch himself from Sir Eustus for a time, he will go and find Virgil, to feed him the now rather smelly fish that he bought from Thraag the Younger. He'll spend some time with the young cat, playing with him to relieve some of the stress of adventuring, and try and put the thought of his first kill from his mind. He doesn't spend too long though, otherwise he knows he'll be found out.
Kieran nods at Marcus and Thraag. "You have a point. We have no real mandate to question him, and the link to the strange events is just guesswork. Though... we could always see what he says or does if we just ask him."
Thus, Kieran knocks on the door. Should the carpenter open, he speaks to him. "Excuse me, sir, but we'd like to ask you something. I'm Kieran, and I'm part of a group of concerned citizens looking into a number of strange things happening here lately. Animals have gone missing, there was a near-fatal accident with the carriage in town just now, and that's even aside from these rumors about an escaped convict. We heard you seemed rather upset or nervous about something and were planning on leaving town in a hurry. Is there, by any chance, anything you might know about any of this or any way we could assist you with whatever troubles you? You might be the only one who can repair the carriage of the town's guests, for one, and I doubt anyone would want to lose you."
Heading back to the house, you find the door shut up tight and a cautious rattling of the handle indicates its locked status. Looking around the front, Thraag catches sight of Tomos way down the road, pack on his back, moving at a swift pace towards the North Road.
Varian presumably heads home? Haven’t heard from Varian in awhile.
Thraag points down the road and says, "Tomos is gone. He did not wait for more visitors."
"Okay... so, I'd like to investigate this. It might be related, it might not. But the timing is unusual, and he WAS very nervous," Kieran muses. He then glances at Thraag. "Could you get Grahm at Sir Eustus' mansion and follow us? We'll leave a trail for you to follow back to us. Meanwhile, Elipho, Marcus and I will attempt to either follow his tracks so we don't lose him."
Unless someone objects to the suggested teams and roles, he sets off to follow the man at a distance, trying not to reveal himself and mostly tracking his tracks out of sight rather than keeping him in field of view.
Marcus nods, agreeing to try and follow the missing Tomos. "Keep in mind that he might have just had business elsewhere right now. I don't want to judge anyone like I've been judged."
"I am pretty slow. IF you want to catch up to him, I would just slow you down." Thraag says as he points down to his lame leg.
"Hm. Good point. Though someone should try to get Grahm..." He glances at Elipho as the other tracker. "Maybe you could follow Thomas' trail and lead the others while I get Grahm? You're probably better at it, and I can't see that well regardless."
Should Elipho agree, he goes to get Grahm, excusing himself before Sir Thomas. He would inform him briefly of the situation and that they're going to try following just in case this is related to one of the strange happenings, as they currently have no other leads.
Then, he would head to the north road and attempt to follow the trails of Elipho and the two half-orcs.
Thraag looks at Elipho and says, "Lead on. We will follow along as closely as we can."
"And you came to get me? An excellent choice, but now we must make haste. Sir Eustus! May we borrow one of your horses?"
Knowing that Eilpho is blind(ish), Grahm offers to share a horse.
Kieran chuckles. "If Varian were here right now, he'd tease me mercilessly over this." He says, and accepts the ride back to the others.