Chapter One - The Adventure Begins

"Well, Jaqir, I think you should take the lead here, especially in interviewing the orphans as no one here can empathize with them like you can - at least that is my humble suggestion. In the meantime, I'd like to examine the dormitory from whence the kidnapping occurred. Would anyone like to join me? Matron Gretchen, could you point me to the scene of the kidnappings?"

" Yes Toe, I'll accompany you. Also, Matron Gretchen have the windows always been double bolted like this or all of them closed for that matter even before the kidnapping?"

"Come, Brother Rand, come. The game is afoot!"

With that Toe walks upstairs with Rand to the dormitories. Toe being eye level to the knobs carefully examines the locks on the doors first.

Kneeling down beside Toe.

" So Toe, what are we looking for?"

"I'm not sure Brother Rand. I have no idea what exactly I'm looking for but... Do you remember the riddle that Sister Jenya showed us? It mentioned something about locks being the key. And when she mentioned that the orphanage has locks installed... I don't know, I figured why not take it literally and at least take a gander at these locks. Couldn't hurt."

"Matron, of the people who came to investigate so far, have they tried looking for residual magical energies? I would like to visit the areas where the children vanished. It's unlikely at this point that I will find anything...days have passed, but it is my realm of expertise so I will start there."

Toe shows Rand the stamp.

"What do you think of this? Locksmith's signature no doubt? When we're done here maybe we should visit the locksmith."Then pausing and thinking for a moment, Toe asks Rand, "Uh, do you, perchance, know whose stamp this is?"

Rand ponders a moment.

Fhenryl had remained on the edge of the assembled group as was his custom, quietly scanning the room and listening in on the conversation. As the group started to spread out on their various investigative tasks, he came closer to Gretchen and asked in his hoarse, husky tone: "You mentioned a back door and a basement. Do you also have some sort of yard out back? Is it often used ? Whoever broke in may have left tracks there..."

As he waits for the halfling matron´s answer he feels a tinge of curiosity as to who may be living in the basement, but quickly checks himself: this is nothing that directly concerns him, and in any case the Red Man (i.e. Jaqir) would see to that.

Kija proceeds to the area where the female children where taken and casts Detect Magic. She intently scans the area looking for residual magical energy. When she is done there, she will moves to the boys dorms and do the same.

Fhen grunts his understanding and announces: "I´d better have a look there, then."

As he gets to the back door, he stops for a moment as if remembering something.
"Thanks." he snorts, before turning his back on Gretchen and making his way into the park.

Once there, he focuses his skills on examining the grounds, looking for clues.

Rand comes to a realization.

" Aye, these are Ghelve's locks."

"Thank you Brother. That information may bear some fruit in this investigation... Gods willing."

Toe nods to Kija in acknowledgement as he sees her go into the dormitories.

"Should we join the lady diviner and give the dormitories a once over?" Toe asks Rand and goes into each dormitory and take a look around looking for anything that stands out big or small, presumably with Rand.

" Good idea Toe, an extra head going over the scene could make sure we don't overlook anything. Unless of course we just prove to be in Kija's way."

Rand walks beside Toe.