Chapter 1: Adventures in Babysitting

"A mystery and child who is pursued by a man named Martin Jardeth." Crow presented the crossbow bolt, before extending his palm upward and bowing in supplication. "I have a copy of the threat we recieved after sending him away. Martin claimed to be Anwyn, the girl's, caretaker. But her reaction to him aroused my suspicion. This tyke stared down a horse drawn carriage without flinching, but buried her head at the sight of him. And all these bear witness, Young Watcher Tom Everdeen likewise bore witness and brought the original threat as evidence to his father in the watch."

"Father: She is a very brave child, and I sense special in some way. She reminds me of myself." Crow adds as he presents Anwyn to Justice Darkhaven. By way of lifting her from his shoulder to stand before the Justice.

Fen has resumed her concealment completely within her hood and mask. Her face is downcast and she avoids eye contact with everyone the group passes. With a sad pat on the side, she directs Oshgal to slink away into a shadowy alleyway before the children enter the halls behind Crow’s lead. The young half-orc is focused on controlling her breath as she attempts to listen to the conversation, though she is struggling to keep her vision clear in this place which fills her with an insurmountable dread and anxiety. It is beyond evident that the girl has had encounters with authority that left her scarred and troubled and at this moment, she is hoping to be as inconspicuous as she can near the rear of the group.

Selena hangs back near Fen and says to her "It'll be okay, lass. We'll make sure you stay safe. I promise. " She whispers to her with a reassuring smile.

Crow looks to the Justice with a mix of consternation and incredulity. Crow had only ever given Tyr lip service, but expected a Justice to exemplify virtue.

"To be clear, these people pursuing the child threatened to kill us. The children. When you say take her to her family I assume that means to do everything necessary to ensure her safe return?"

"For a good woman is a hammer in his hands." Crow saluted the Justice and then bowed. Taking Anwyn's hand he turned back to the others. "I am ready when you all are. We should meet up with Tom first though."

Crow likewise drew his rapier and follows Tarna unwlling to let even a fearsome paladin face the threat alone.

Gern reluctantly follows behind Tarna and Crow.

Tom follows Tarna's instructions, waiting outside while watching Anwyn and trying to keep an eye on any other exits from the house. He focuses on keeping her from going inside until it's cleared by the others as safe for her to enter.

"So, this is your house, huh? We did have found it ourselves, you made a pretty good drawing."

While Crow addressed the issue at hand, the shine of Fen’s eyes communicate a sincere thankful smile to Selena beside her. She falls into step as the group advances toward the home as led by their small charge, Oshgal following close in tow. In a murmur, Fen nods to her feline friend and sends the large cat sniffing around the outside of the property in search of any scent that may produce a lead on the vandals.

Spurred by an eager desire to be of help in this situation which seems to be turning in rapid, dangerous spirals, Fen jumps and calls out to the group, "Trail!" She points wildly at Oshgal who prickles at the presence of the found scent. Fen runs to the cat and leaps up into a mounted position with rapidity belied by her father’s heritage and strokes the cat’s neck encouragingly. Leaning down, she coos praise to her feline friend and asks, "Follow?"

Tom's natural instinct is to chase after the lead while its hot, but looking down at Anwyn he realizes he can neither leave her to wander inside the home to see whatever Tarna has uncovered nor bring her along and potentially lead her right to those looking to abduct her.

"Yes, but let's get everyone together first," he says, answering Fen's question despite the fact he's fairly certain it was directed at Oshgal and not him.

He moves to the door to the house to call the others outside, careful to position himself so that Anwyn can't slip by him and inside.