Chapter 1: A Friend in Need

Xelia continues to search where the bells lead as if nothing else is going on. They'll handle whatever is happening outside.

The pull cords on the bells lead directly into the wooden walls. Xelia gives them a tug, which reveals they are quite taught but little else. It is likely you'll have to break through the wall to see where the cords lead unless you have a more subtle plan.

Alastriona tilts her head at the dragonborn, brow scrunching in an expression that indicates lack of understanding.

"I suppose I won’t be able to insult my way into these walls. Very well." She stroll towards the rest of the group.

"City Watch." Prince says to Xelia as she passes him on the stairs.

Vatra looks around for the others, "Can you show us quickly?"

Butler stays in the shadows, keeping an eye on what is transpiring in the yard to cover Alastriona if she decides to make a move.

The Civilar's back stiffens when Alastriona expresses confusion, and his subordinates tighten their grips on their weapons instinctively, although they remain lowered.

"Step aside." He says it respectfully but forcefully.

He gestures with his huge, clawed hands that he wants Alastriona to move away from the door.

Alastriona gives a few more forceful pounds against the door, then opens it to reveal what little can be seen of the warehouse inside.

When she turns back to the dragonborn, her normally-impassive eyes flare up in ferocity. She extends her hand to point at the watchmen surrounding the yard before lowering her hand in a similar gesture the dragonborn used to have his unit stand down. Alastriona then offers her hand, palm up, to Shestendeliath and as her eyes return to a dull amethyst, she sweeps her arm towards the door with a curtsy as she steps aside.

Stitches eyes go wide as he sees the dragonborn approach through the dirty window. He looks to the others inside, then back outside at Alastriona and heaves a silent sigh.

"Can you show us quickly?" he says in Vatra's voice at the other kenku, as he doffs the looted cloak and drapes it over as many of the feathered bodies as he can. He tucks his weapons under his own cloak and moves toward the back of the warehouse, giving the others an urgent look.

The Kenku prisoner points to the trap door in the roof. "Fly like the wind! Going to be sunny today, wear a hat. Half past twelve and all is well!" he calls out in a myriad of voices, but he includes some subtle hand gestures that alter the meaning for those who know.

"Stitches, take the prisoner and go for now...I'll talk to the Watch. Fact is we were here investigating a kidnapping and we have a noble that we rescued here to coroborate the story...but the Kenku prisoner may be able to help us better than the watch. GO!"

"I'll definitely vouch for you all. I'll follow your lead."

Butler emerges from the shadows next to Stiches and Vatra "Watch will be on us any second. I’ll go with Stiches and this guy and try and head off any bother before it becomes a problem". He nods at the others before vaulting himself up to the roof hatch. Once he’s out there he keeps low and skulks between chimney stacks and any other assorted bits of coverage sees, being careful to keep the others in sight.

Stitches gives a little salute to people staying behind, then signs back at the other kenku before ushering him after Butler. He pulls a dagger and follows, flitting from shadow to shadow and keeping a close eye on the prisoner.

The Warehouse

---

The Civilar brushes past Alastriona as he leads four of his watch guards through the front door, weapons low but at the ready. The remaining six guards pull up the bay door* and enter with cudgels and crossbows. Upon seeing the corpse-strewn interior, one of the watch guards lets loose a low whistle.

The watch guards begin streaming all over, securing the location. Flanked by his guards, Shestendeliath approaches Xelia, Prince, Vatra, and Renaer.

"Start talking," he rumbles, looking over the four of you.

---

* unlocked by the Kenku during the fight

An Alleyway in the Dock Ward

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Butler and Stitches sneak out the rooftop trap door with their Kenku prisoner as the Watch moves forward into the warehouse. You quietly wind through twisted alleys, putting enough distance between yourselves and the warehouse to make certain that the Watch could not have followed you.

The city is much busier than before you arrived at the warehouse, and there is plenty of foot traffic to get lost in, mostly dock workers and fishermen and the like heading to work for the day. You take refuge in a small, rickety walkway between buildings to catch your breath. The prisoner leans against a stone wall and begins making a makeshift bandage from a strip of cloth he tears off of his tunic. "Give us a moment for pity's sake!" he calls out in a huffy noble accent.

Alastriona puffs her cheeks as many of the watch guards file in. She follows them, assuming no one stops her, and walks over to stand near Xelia.

Given the number of people about Butler makes sure all his weapons are stored away Wouldnt do to have dodged the watch and then get nabbed by a random patrol for waving a weapon about! he thinks to himself with a chuckle. He turns to the two Kenku "Ok, have a few moments to rest up. I figure we’ll make our way to the portal and wait for the others there. At the very least we can give Volo an update on where we’re at with everything"

"Civilar Shestendeliath! I am so glad you're here! We've only just managed to rescue Lord Neverember here from these vicious feathered outlaws, but not without a fight. Look, the lady Xelia is injured. But now, thank heavens the brave city watch is here!"