War of the Lost Kingdom

With a nod, Ian bows his head slightly, "Sir, if I may. I'd like ta suggest that Xiao Zifu be assigned ta help me. Her honor an station make her beyond approach. She seems ta be the intelligent, diligent sort." He spares a glance at the mercenaries still being questioned, frowning thoughtfully at them.

Doc arrives not long after Greta to the mess hall; wanting to grab a quick bite to eat and then take a look at the scene of the crime for any clues

Mess Hall

---

"You missed a good scrap!"Greta exclaims to Xiao as she takes the napkin off of Xiao's lap and begins wiping off the blood from her face. She also helps herself to some of the bookish woman's water for her ablutions.

Finishing up, Greta balls up the cloth and drops in on the table with a warning for Xiao: "Watch out for Doc, he's probably a Wildling!" and then proceeds to laugh at her own joke.

Without waiting for a reply she blurts out "Save us a spot!" as she grabs Docanter and the two make their way barging to the front of the line to get their meal.

Zifu was frozen in place, eyes wide at the flagrant invasion of personal space and property. She was in shock, unable to formulate any retort as she watched Greta depart, and her mind tripped over itself to ascertain the meaning behind the barbarian's words.

Later, her eyes drifted downward to the bloody napkin. With all the hesitation of a person wanting to be miles from a repulsive thing, Zifu nudged the cloth away with her spoon.

Her attention returned to her meal, but as she held the spoon up, she sighed with distaste and set the utensil down. It looked like she was done with her barely-eaten breakfast.

Mess Hall

---

Walking back across the mess hall, Greta waves to Xiao and calls out in loud voice "Hey! Xiao! Where are you going? Sit down, Doc needs to tell you about how I knocked out this guy!, Xiao, wait!"

She sits next to the scholarly woman and begins noisily slurping her food. Noticing the uneaten portion of Xiao's oatmeal, Greta reaches across her seat-mate and helps herself to the left-overs.

After she dumps out the contents of Xiao's bowl into her own, she asks "You gonna eat this?"

Zifu remained seated throughout, reading her copy of the Liber ex Decorum Praecepta while her tray remained abandoned. She sat poised and regal, even as the large woman's weight caused her to lift from the impact on the bench. The Liber was lowered slightly as Zifu silently watched Greta confiscate her copious leftovers, then she looked up at the barbarian and slowly inclined her head, granting posthumous permission.

"How'd you sleep m'lady" Doc half asked half said as he stared into his oatmeal

Zifu looked at Doc. "I slept well, thank you," she said, acknowledging the man's concern with a slight bow in her seat. "And you, sir?"

With no change in expression "Can't remember much...so good I suppose." He finally looks her in the eye and asks "Have you heard anything about this murder? Who it was that died?"

"Who cares?" she says through a mouthful of oatmeal. "Doc, tell her about the fight! and Finn getting locked up by the Let-gate!"

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Barracks
Johan deliberate stepped on the drop lockpick hiding it from everyone sight. After they left with Finn, he picks it up and takes it with him.

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Mass hall
Johan makes a quick stop in the mess hall to grab some on-the-go-food (most likely a piece of bread). He finds Ian
m'lord, I'll look into this murder business. Me and Snubbs will be at the scene of the crime. Hope you will join me there

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Crime scene
The halfling and his big dog are investigating the crime scene

"Oh that's right!" he exclaimed and cleared his throat

"There was a fight. Greta knocked someone out. Finn's in prison now." he seems genuinely content with his report and resumes eating his oatmeal

This was a lot to process for the noble. She focused on the first question. "Um, well, I have only just learned that there was a body discovered in the courtyard. That area has been quarantined while the authorities investigate. As to the identity of the victim, it is currently unknown."

Zifu looks between Doc and Greta. "This... Finn, did you say? He is in prison because you attacked someone?"