Chapter 3 - The Missing Delegation

Yillia looks around for some herbs. "Hmm, maybe in a more forested area..." She looks back. Better to treat the cause than the symptoms though. she says eyeing the backpack again.

She grins again at the girls perceived awe, flattered by the word adventurer. "Hmm, I suppose we are. Though I always thought about my travels as all part of a larger hunt yet to be revealed".

She shrugs slowly at the names, drawing a blank. "Perhaps my companions know these names, I know few adventurers but the ones I cross paths with and the extremely famous"

"Apologies, my name is Yillia. And yours?"

Before Yillia can get a response, the conversation is interrupted by the Dragonborn lifting Emerson in the air. Yillia instinctively reaches for one her swords, pulling it from its sheath enough that the blade is clearly visible. Ready to fight, She is frozen in assessment as the scene unfolds.

When the young girl is lowered, Yillia slowly reseats her weapon. She stares silent and unansweringly at the man, unsure whether to trust him.

As Emerson moves behind her, she releases some of the tension in her muscles, slightly comforted at the distance between them.
These are her own supplies. Who be you Dragonborn? she questions him tersely.

The guard at the gate holds up his hands. "Whoa, there, this is a respectable place. If you're going to fight, I'll ask you to do so over there. We don't want that kind of trouble "

"Ah" Yillia thinks to herself "A bard... Never was used to those musical folk. Always seemed to be where trouble was... Although that could be because she was generally drinking in those taverns too... Nah" She shakes her head "Definitely the bards."

"Apologies Sir, Sirs" She bows her head to both of them. "I was caught by surprise and the travel has made me tense."

"Here" She says, sticking out a hand with a portion of rations. "Think of it as a small token of apology, you look hungry."

"As I was just mentioning to our small friend here, we're just patrolling these parts to ensure the safety of fellow travellers "

Felicia smiles at the mention of the girl's uncle. Aye, I know your uncle. Good sort, and Dazzle was a dear friend. Felicia mentions quietly as they walk up to the guard.

'tis true sir, we don't seek to fight. Where could we head to get a bite and a drink?

The gate guard calls something two different people inside, then he says to you, "Hold on, you can come in," and unbars the door. The gates open to a thirty-foot passage leading east. A portcullis blocks the far end of the passage, but you can see the castle yard on the other side. An arrow slit in the southern wall of the passage provides defenders a way to fire on intruders who get this far.

He opens it and leads you down a 15' corridor to an inner portcullis that he opens and holds open for you. "Come in, I'll have someone escort you to our captain."

Yillia opens her mouth to protest being referred to as a boob, but the prospect of free ale and the guards invite quickly distract her from the thought.

She follows the gate guard inside and starts mapping the area out in her head, making some notes to herself about possible tactical hiding spots

As everyone starts heading in, Felicia speaks directly into everyone's mind, cheerfully.

Don't be alarmed all, it's Felicia. For those that don't know, I can communicate telepathically with individuals, only one way, however. I saw many things beyond the wall, it is imperative we stay calm and composed. There are ceiling bow shots and on edge archers, but maybe safe. Four guards inside on the wall over the inner yard. Another probably twenty in the keep, in various teams of four. Keep your heads calm and don't raise any alarms.

She feels the creature's invisible weight settle on her shoulder once more.


Thank you Xestras. she thinks to her companion.

Contrary to your most dire expectations, you pass through the murder tunnel unmolested. Inn the inner city heard, four armed men (guards? well they have crossbows, mail, and swords) arrive in two pairs. Holger tells them, "Take 'em to see Grimjaw. In the hall."

One of the guards, says, "Ya okay, Holger," (with no little disdain) and holds out an arm, clearly gesturing the direction you are to go, while another one moves ahead, leading the way. The other two follow behind.

The area inside the castle gatehouse consists of a small courtyard of bare dirt and tufts of airy grass. A stable stands to the east, the gatehouse to the west, and the main yard of the castle lies to the north. The keep occupies the northern corner of the castle yard. Stone stairs near the Keep lead up to the top of the wall.

As you move along the castle yard, it's easy to see that there are four more armed men up on the walls.

You cross the yard to the Keep, but there are no doors on your side, so you d follow the guard go around it to the right, to the heavy double doors there beside another stair up onto the wall. There are signs of recent construction everywhere, as the Keep repairs are underway.

One guard opens the door for you, and calls in, "Visitors, cap'n," before turning back to you and gesturing you in.

The room is the great hall of the keep. It is two stories high, with stone stairs on both sides of the room leading up to a stone balcony at the west end of the chamber. Two interior doors open to the west. Arrow slits look out to the north and the south.

At the west end of the room, below the balcony, a large wooden chair sits behind a wide table littered with papers and discarded plates. A second table, this one long and furnished with benches, runs down the middle of the hall. The walls are painted in green and blue, decorated with tattered banners showing nautical designs.

A large man, sits in the large chair, attended by two armed sailors, and another dressed more like a priest or perhaps a courtier. He leans back and stairs at you with little patience or humour. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

My name is Emerson, but you can call me Em she says to her new friends with a bow.
She chuckles at the noogie and mention of milk from the funny dragon-man. A strange feeling of comfort at being so welcomed into this group of strangers puts her, simultaneously, at ease and wholly paranoid.
Good to meet you Lizzy, I would hope that you might teach me a thing or two? I love learning from more skilled people!
With a finger gesturing to 'wait' she sets her pack down to reveal the headstock of the mandolin carefully packed in a gentle spot.
A hard thing to do in a pack specifically built to shift weight to someone with the stature of Em while at the same time appearing extremely cumbersome.
It occasionally, like now, drew more attention than desired. But what can be done with a large pack hiding infinite tricks was well worth it.

At the mention of the acknowledgement of her 'uncle' Em nods an affirmation to Felecia and in subtle hand signals used by The Zents (I don't know if that is a thing but it sounded cool :P) she communicates something to the effect of 'Friend', 'here to help', 'awaiting your instruction', and 'watching'.

At the buzz in her head of communication from her contact and now ally, Em feels a surge of confidence and comfort.
With glazed eyes carefully watching the guards and their movements she allows her companions to do the talking as she slinks as close to Yillia's leg as possible.

As they walk down the hall and on the way there her eyes are unblinking gleaning as much information as she can from her surroundings as possible.
They all look like strong fighters, I WILL prove myself useful...

She patiently waits for more imposing members to address the Lord.
All the while drinking in her surroundings.

Though having stood silent for a time now, Sorgrimm steps up to the Captain and makes his presence known,

"We are adventurer's out of Red Larch and we are searching for a missing delegation from Mirabar. We heard rumor they may have recently passed through here. Do you have any information on this matter?"

The Lord of the castle days to Sorgrimm, "Adventurers? Red Larch? Will your not worth my time. As to this delegation, some pay us to ferry them across, but I can't say we were paid by no fancy delegation."

He crosses his arms muscles bulging with strain. "We've got no time for adventurer nonsense. If you just come here looking for folk, they're not here and you can go off."

"Jolliver Grimjaw," he harrumphs, but does not return the courtesy of asking for yours. Again.