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Long story short...

At the end of the day, by dint of muscle and spell, the log is finally reduced to fireplace worthy chunks. You you are all in a state of fatigue, your hands blistered and unable to feel.
The wizard (Veld by name) came out again, offering a bowl of some kind of thick liquid. It looked like a combination of mulch, blue slime and eyeballs. It smelled worse.
She took her pipe out of her mouth and waved it vaguely at you.
"Don't think about it; just down it quickly. Good for what ails you." She nodded sagely.

Struting up to Arlen, the woman invaded his personal space.
"Well..." She purred. "Such a gentleman, to make such an offer to an old and lonely woman..." She said, brushing a fingertip down the line of Arlen's jaw, then down to his chest.
"You've called to mind something I DO want." She said.

Then she abruptly spun Arlen about to face a giant treetrunk laying across the meadow.
"I recently helped a hill giant out of a jam. When I asked for firewood in payment, he dropped this monster on my doorstep.
"My price for healing you is for you all, with your youthful strength and energy, is to render this log into useable firewood."
She turned and went back to her cabin.
"I'll get started on the cure!"

She sneered at Faerieth.
"Well of course! That's why I came all the way out here, to do villagers who exiled me favors! For free!"

"Is there anything we can do for you? " Arlen offers

Immediately, her attention is captured by Arlen's offer. A suspicious smile curls around her lips.

"Hello! Ma'am, we're sorry to intrude on you, but we need your help."

The woman started arranging the plants on drying racks.

"Well then. You've found me. Skillfully done. And you need my help." She said acerbically. She turned and fixed Faerieth with a jaundiced eye.
Behind them, they heard "CANNONBALL!!" shouted before a great splash soaked Faerieth and the woman.
Glaring at Faerieth as water dripped off the end of her nose, the woman gritted out; "What. Do. You. Want."

The woman looked at Faerieth with a deeply skeptical exam, then her eyes traced the rope back up and over the lip of the dell.
She let out a sigh of exasperation, turned and walked off towards the house.

For her part, the woman seems utterly fascinated by Bryson's tale, listening with rapt attention on every word.
Before you notice, several hours have gone by and the sun has set.

"I thank you, young Bry-son, for your tale.
"The world beyond sounds truly wondrous and I would very much like to visit it one day.
"As for your journey, there is little I can do to aid you.
"You should know that the way South is dangerous. There are unnatural things that lurk in the dark places, now more so than in the past."
She hissed in thought, rocking back and forth slowly.
"I know that four eyes have gazed upon you and their servant seeks you out. You would do well to avoid him.
"If you plan to head South, take the Dark Mountain Pass that travels under the peaks. It was made by the ancient ones, but beware--hungry birds nest near its opening not far from here, and they are fierce near their young. May you wander the web to find your way home." She said, raising her very long arm in benediction.

"It seems dreadfully ... convenient that a beast so terrible should be caught at last in pursuit of - who knows? Some unlikely relic? Is there anyone in Lepidstadt who could benefit from such misdirection?"

Judge Daramid shook her head.

"We have reason to fear the circumstances which spurred Professor Lorrimor's latest research."

"You already have suspicions? Then it is you who will tell me who might have orchestrated this whole situation."

"I think we a accept your charge. Can you discreetly guide us as we regularly update you? You can give us your insight as one familiar with this area."

Judge Daramid nods at your acceptance.

"As a judge, I am very concerned with justice as a whole, and I very much fear the Beast will not receive a fair trial."

She gestured out to the celebrations on the street.
"The people of Lepidstadt have blamed the Beast for too much and for too long, and they want it to pay for its crimes, whether those crimes are real or imagined."

She hesitated, then continued slowly.
"In addition, I have some concerns about the crime for which the Beast was finally apprehended—the break-in and theft at Lepidstadt University.
"I am convinced that the Beast’s capture at the university was not all it appeared to be, for why would a creature that is intelligent knowingly enter the university, where it was certain to be trapped?"

She sighed.
"However, to publicly announce my suspicions could put me at great risk, both professionally and politically.
"As one of the three justices presiding over the Beast’s trial, I am unable to openly intervene, other than insisting that the Beast be properly defended in court."

She leaned forward.
"What I really need is a group of people without local bias to uncover the real truth about the Beast and its alleged crimes.
"The Beast’s legally appointed advocate, a barrister named Gustav Kaple, is hopelessly over his head and needs help—-ideally someone to gather evidence about the Beast’s alleged crimes and stand up in
court to be questioned by the prosecution.
"Such speakers must have bravery in spades and silver tongues to match, to ensure that if there is more to the Beast’s story, justice will be done."

She leaned back.
"IF the Beast is indeed guilty, then I can rest easier at night knowing that I gave it a fair trial."

She drew herself up to her full imposing height.
"And so; I am offering you double the bequest from Lorrimor’s will if you investigate the Beast of Lepidstadt on my behalf while expressly keeping me out of the equation, as any hint of collaboration in your investigations would put my legal objectivity into question.
"I will deny any involvement in the matter if pressed, but that if you do get to the bottom of the matter, I will be very grateful indeed."

After the official business of Professor Lorrimor's will had been concluded, Judge Daramid looked upon Ereviss for a long moment.
"Now that the provisions of the will are complete, I would ask that you bide a moment." She asked.

She turned and looked out the front window at the celebrations in the street with a faint frown.
"I find myself in need of some assistance, and if Petros trusted you with the dangerous business he was often involved in, then I might be inclined to trust you with something similar as well."

She turned back to you.
"I believe there is a cancer in Lepidstadt; A darkness lurking behind the shadow of a scapegoat.
"For many years the people of Lepidstadt have laid all their ills at the door of a creature known as the Beast of Lepidstadt—murders, thefts, and terror have all been attributed to the Beast, but I know that many stories are exaggerations or quite simply untrue.
"I also know that some people have different stories to tell about the creature—about its kindness and humanity, of how it has rescued loved ones or helped those in distress.
"Now that the time has arrived for such kindness to be repaid, however, no one dares to step forward and challenge the Beast’s reputation."

Ereviss takes to hovering around her, pacing with nervous energy.

"Ma'am, we have come at a chaotic time. We have followed the trail of evil, and it did not die with the cleansing of the prison. What can you tell us of this madness?"
Ereviss gestures to the general center of the city.

Judge Daramid looked steadily at Ereviss, clearly thinking hard about something.

Accepting the last book, she brushed her fingers over the purple cover, gilt lettering and elaborate miniature lock on the cover. You could almost swear she was about to crack a smile.
"Yes... I accept this book from the Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Petros Lorrimor, and declare the conditions complete.
"As promised, here is your reward."

From an armored lock chest, she retrieved a tray with several small laquered boxes. She hands one of the surprisingly heavy boxes to each of you.
When you open the nice presentation box, you see it is filled with small gold bars; plaques stamped with the coat of arms of the Bank of Lepidstadt and engraved '100 crowns'. There are ten such bars in each box.

"Welcome Miss Lorrimor. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to my home." She said, waiving her hands towards chairs and couches, inviting you to take a seat.
She is in her sixties, with gray hair pulled back tightly into a bun and icy blue eyes. She is a stern, no nonsense woman who appears to be all business.

She took Kendras hands in hers.
"I am so sorry to hear about your father." She said briskly.