Chapter 1: A Friend in Need

Xelia gently places an arm on Prince's shoulder before turning her attention to the watch members. "You certainly took your time in getting here. In any case, I welcome you to start your investigation immediately. The sooner we get to the bottom of the terrible circumstances that led to the kidnapping of my dear friend Renaer, the better." She glances down at the weapons being held by the watch as if noticing them for the first time. Her eyes then connect with Civilar Shestendeliath. She stands at full attention, emitting an aura of power far beyond his as if daring him to continue brandishing his weapons at her, at great risk to his own reputation. "Hmm?"

An Alley in the Dock Ward

---

Hatchet Cut goes through a variety of vocalizations to get his point across.

"Zee Yawning Portal?"

"Ain't very wise!"

"Neutral ground for ... them blasted Zhents! and ... The Ssservantsss of the Eye."

"Somebody might peep me n' put our deal in danga."

He also continues to prompt Stitches for his name and details about his history, adding in thieves' cant:

The Zhentarim Warehouse

---

A book and quill animate and float behind the Civilar, recording the entire conversation. The Civilar has little time for Princes' flattery but finds Xelia's bravado energizing, sending a ripple through his scales. He smiles a toothy grin at her.

"Is that right?"

He then turns to Renaer and looks him over more carefully.

"Ah, it is you, son of Neverember. All those bruises make it hard to tell. Can you corroborate their report?"

Renaer explains the details, confirming Xelia's story and vouches for you that you killed the Kenku in self-defence. Between Renaer's story and Xelia's strength, Shestendeliath eases up on you a bit.

"Best not to meddle in criminal matters. Leave this business to the Watch."

He departs at that moment and a corporal arrives to take down your information. (you can choose to tell the truth or falsify your information) He hands you a copy of the Code Legal.

"Read it carefully! This isn't the frontier, and you need to be aware of what consequences your actions carry.""Okay, you guys are free to go. Have a nice day."

In the background, you notice one of the watch guards is singing"Raspberry Beret" off key.

Alastriona holds an arm across her abdomen and props her other elbow upon it, hand fingering the amulet around her neck. She stays in the background as the corporal gathers information, as though trying to will the shadows to conceal her presence. Should the corporal approach her, she stares at him non-verbally, showing no recognition of his questions and offering no statement.

Butler shares a glance with Stitches "Well we need to meet back up with the others at some point and I'd assume they'll be heading back to the portal once they're clear of the watch. We could always head back in the direction of the warehouse and try and meet up with them but if the watch know what happened there then I'd imagine the Zent's are already fully in the loop so they might have eyes on the place as well. Any idea's?"

Vatra is relieved when the encounter with the Watch ends amicably. Not wishing to cause problems in the city, he provides the Watch with as much truth as needed to appease them. Telling them of Volo's request for help in finding his friend and how they came to find Neverember in the clutches of the Kenku.

Prince gives the corporal his name (Alexander Starr), his occupation (Superstar, baby!), and the Yawning Portal as his location (We're performing there all week! You have to come watch! Just tell them you're my guest.)

The Zhentarim Warehouse

The Watch is satisfied with your answers, for now. They don't bother to press Alastriona since your stories check out and frankly, the Watch hands are a little scared of her. A constable tells you that the lot of you might get a visit from a magistrate in the next few days regarding a ruling about the propriety of your actions in this situation, but the fact that they're letting you go gives you the feeling that your story is believed and that you're not in serious trouble.

The constable also writes up a missing person report for Floon. They get the details of the case, short of the prisoner and his information. Civilar Shestendeliath returns with some final advice for the group. His deep voice rumbles:

"Best not to meddle in criminal matters. Leave this dirty business to the City Watch. But, if you choose to proceed, make sure you keep the blood off the streets. Not all Watch officers are as nice as me."

As the Watch piles the corpses out into the yard, you are free to go.

---

The Streets of the Dock Ward

Since Stitches doesn't have any ideas and the prisoner doesn't have a voting share, the group follows Butler through the streets of Waterdeep back to the Yawning Portal. You take the main road back, which is becoming much busier now; street vendors are out in full force hawking nets & knives, salt & sailcloth, and rope & rum. You pass by a puppet show that depicts the recent street violence between The Snake Gang and The Eye Gang, which ends with everyone dying in an overly-complex poisoning scheme, much to the delight of the crowd.

Upon arrival, there is no sign of Volo. It is approximately 9am and given his lifestyle you wouldn't be surprised if he was still in a comfortable four-poster bed somewhere in the Sea Ward.

Durnan is busy operating the winch, letting down a trio of well-armoured dwarves into the well. A small crowd has gathered around to place bets on their expedition. Meanwhile, Bonnie comes up to you.

"I see you've brought a Kenku friend. You know what they say, 'birds of a feather!' I've made a private room available, seems appropriate. This way!"

Alastriona accompanies the group in their departure of the warehouse. She guides Renaer so that he stands next to Xelia, not only to serve as a genteel escort of a noble lady, but also to keep the man with them on their journey.

To the others, Alastriona points in the direction of the Yawning Portal, tipping her chin to indicate they ought to start walking.

Only once they're in the private room does Stitches speak up. He introduces the prisoner to Butler by pointing to the kenku and making the sound of an axe hitting a tree.

With a wave of his hand he motions to the room. Using Butler's own voice, he says, "We need to meet back up with the others."

Then he turns to the prisoner.Stitches feigns interest in joining to try to pry more info out of the kenku. He also painstakingly translates for Butler, though he leaves out any talk of joining another crew.

Hatchet Cut responds:

Butler smiles and thanks Bonnie as they pass through the Portal. "Thanks love, could you send a few drinks up for us and just let the others know where we are if they turn up?" he asks as he slips a few coins across to her "If Volo's about could you let him know we need to speak to him"

As they get to the room Butler leaves the door open a crack and sits close by so he can watch for anyone coming, mostly tuning out the chatter between the two Kenku.

"You got it, handsome. Hate to break it to you though: I've never seen Volo here earlier than noontime. I could ask around and get a residence for you if you like. "

She returns with a pitcher of mint ginger ale meant for morning drinking, notices Butler wincing as he takes the drink.

"You alright? I'll grab my kit."

She pulls a canvas satchel out of a broom closet and returns.

"Where does it hurt?"

ALSTRIONA, PRINCE, VATRA, and XELIA

---

The group returns to the Yawning Portal. As per Bonnie's instructions, she guides you to Butler's and Stitches' private room. A pitcher of mint ginger ale is already waiting for you.

Alastriona seems unbothered by having to undress her armor and clothes in front of everyone. She watches Bonnie's hands as salves and bandages are applied, as though silently memorizing the combination of gestures and pressures ministered to the body in the efforts of healing. How different, she wonders, than the preparations of the deceased.

"Oh! Not shy at all, are we?"

Bonnie patches Alastriona up in short order.

"Some of my cuts could use a good cleaning. An infection at my age could be the death of me." Xelia sighs, loosening the silk ties on her tunic to give Bonnie access to her wounds. Looking over the injuries, Xelia notes that the fur is caked with blood, but it looks worse than it actually is. She releases a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. "Not as bad as I thought." While she waits to be bandaged, she begins licking her wounds clean as best as she can.

Prince is draped seductively over a cot, his shirt open. He is making eyes at Bonnie. "No visible wounds, baby. My hurts are all on the inside. But your smile is making me all better. I know it's corny, but what can I say? You disarm me of my rapier wit!"

Butler smiles and nods in thanks to Bonnie "Just took a bit of a scrape here. Whatever you can do for it is appreciated". He looks thoughtfully at the Kenku for a moment before saying to Bonnie "If you could patch up our new friend as well it'd be appreciated. They've agreed to help us with something so we need them in good condition"