Part 2: Phandalin

Hollow steps up next to Sildar and lowers her voice so that the group may hear but not anyone who may be lurking unseen. "What about the woman who runs the Miner's Exchange, Hilda Thornton. We heard rumor that she is singular among the merchants in that she remains unmolested by the Redbrands. Do you know her well? Is she just that tough? Can she be trusted? Is she the paramour of this Glasstaff, or could she be Glasstaff?"

"Their leader? Why not just eliminate all of them?"

Wish shakes his head, attempting to shake the visions of slaughter out of his mind.

"Of...of course, we should look for a leader. If you cut off the head, the body withers and dies. Without, you know, actually dying...from being killed..."

Wish trails off.

"Uh...got any directions, Sister? We could just run after these guys, or talk to Hilda - Hilda? Halla? Halia? Halia - thanks, Hollow, I didn't remember her name - over at the Miner's Exchange. Even the kid was saying something about these Red guys..."

"Well, then I guess we should go talk to her. And revisit the farm to talk to the child and learn what he knows. Perhaps he picked something up that the Brands didn't think was of consequence. The tunnel he found may provide a stealthy approach we could take advantage of. But I think we should make all haste so that we can maintain whatever advantage we may hold."

Sister, I will send one of my people to you with this ring. Whatever healing potions you were willing to part with you shall give to them. They will bring them to us so we can complete out tasks."

Wish hands Hollow one of the healing potions Sister Garaele gave them already and swings into the saddle, riding down the street to the Miner's Exchange. He really doesn't like horses very much, but he's managed to learn to ride them tolerably well.

They he hitches the horse out front, dismounts, and walks in with the others.

Kama asks Sister Garaele, "Who lives at that manor to the east?"

"OOC: Don't know if I would have been able to ask before we went to the miner's exchange.

Kama nods. He looks down the street leading to the abandoned manor, thoughts swirling in his head. "Mind yourselves," he says to the group. "The Sleeping Giant is supposed to be their watering hole, and it stands to reason that the two that escaped have probably reported there."

Then the half-orc begins to search the two fallen bodies, looking for any clues and useful items. On occasion he casts a glance down the road, half-expecting a contingent of red-caped hooligans marching his way.

Kama looks to the party to see if anyone wants the equipment. Otherwise he elects to donate the spoils and gold to the shrine; Sister Garaele should be able to fetch something for its sale. Kama does keep the daggers, however, as they would be useful for any of the party members. If need be, Kama will help move the bodies to where they have to go (assuming the shrine takes care of that).

Back at the Miner's Exchange, Wish approaches the sharp-faced woman. "Halia Thornton, I presume? I'm Wish Vathuni; I'm new in town, and just making the rounds, getting to know people" (he checks himself surreptitiously for any bloodstains) "and the places of business. Miner's Exchange, huh? Tell me what that is."

He clears his throat, realizing belatedly that this may be forward. "Please. If you don't mind and it wouldn't tax too much of your valuable time."

"Oh?" Wish looks at the others, trying not to grin. "I think we might be interested, yes. How could we help? What can you tell us about them?"

Kama reminds outside the Miner's Exchange, just by the door. He lets the eloquent folk handle the discussions. Instead, he watches the road, anticipating a Redbrand reprisal any minute now. His hand rests on the pommel of one of the daggers he took from those thugs, now slipped into his belt.

Hollow is a little taken aback by Halia's remarks, but recovers quickly.

"We to have had some trouble with the Redbrands recently. In addition to dear Wish's request to know as much as you can tell us about them, I would like to understand why it is that they don't harass you to the same extent as the other merchants. What history do you have with them?"

I stare down Halia, attempting to read her responses in order to determine their veracity.

Wish's eyes sparkle at the thought of another 100 gold, but he eyes the crossbow warily. "Yes, we feel the same way about bullies....which is why we want to help take care of them. Where do you think this Glasstaff is? Where should we start?"