Chapter 1: The Road to Dagger Falls

[Jenara]

"Good walk?" She asks with a frown.

[Stik]

Traern just grunts, not really answering, and waits for Olavia to leave the table.

[Jenara]

"Understood." she responds in elven, "The walls have ears.."

[NoTrammeling]

One of the humans, a young man with short red hair and a bulbous nose, looks unamused by Raina's interjection. He sets his mouth and looks taciturn. However, the orc who's sporting a short black mohawk and the other human, balding and middle-aged with a scar across his nose, seem more than happy to have Raina join their conversation. They budge up, making room and gesturing for her to join them.

The orc, carrying himself like the leader of the trio, speaks first. "Gul Gristlemane. Bad time to enter Dagger Falls, sweet thing. That idiot Morn's usual trouble, now we got us a cursed fever and a line full of dead horses." He spits on the floor, eyeing Olavia darkly. "Come out of a bender near first light and found Biter down in the dust with a dozen other mounts. Somebody must have put poison to the trough, I reckon."

The middle-aged man pipes up, "Olavia won't pay up neither. Says it's not the Inn's fault theys got a tainted waterin' hole. Can't do a damned thing about it, Constable'd take the head of any man who makes trouble hereabouts."

Meanwhile Olavia snatches up Traern's coin faster then you can blink. "Of course my elven sir, it will take a moment to find our best stock!" She disappears through the kitchen doors calling for the boy Elbin.

[JadedDM]

With the innkeeper gone, Gimak turns toward the others. "This Eagle's Eyrie might be worth checking out. But I think tomorrow we should go into town and investigate first. By the way, anyone see where Seraphina got to?" he asks.

[Stik]

"We shall need to get to tomorrow first." Traern says, quietly, "It appears our arrival here was noted, and reported to the Zhentarim at the guardhouse, and word of it carried elsewhere. Best you all stay alert, and look out for each other."

[HorizonsDream]

Raina judges the group at their table, and listens to their troubles thoughtfully. "Why would anyone poison a bunch of horses? I wonder if it is related to the illness that is going around?"

[Jenara]

"I plan to." Elianna responds with a whisper, "We obviously stand out, newcomers, apart from our good Cleric, they are always viewed with suspicion." sipping her wine she nods to Gimak, "The town first, them the Eyrie... And no, she vanished, but I am not surprised."

[NoTrammeling]

Olavia returns with Traern's mead in a drinking horn smaller than a fist. It has been flavored heavily with rosemary and not aged long enough to mature the drink's more complex and savory characters. She bustles away, attempting to look busy while not doing any actual work.

Gul and his friends look slightly confused at Raina's assertion. The big orc grunts, "Don't see how. Morn's work more like, can't chase him down if we don't have anything to ride." The more truculent of the three snorts derisively, but is swiftly elbowed by the man with the scarred nose. "Don't mind him miss, closest thing he's known to a lady is some'a them goats out by the hills. Twere a fine lookin' goat though, all agree." Red-head's cheeks turn a hue to match his scalp.

[HorizonsDream]

"Ah, he doesn't bother me," Rain says with a light snicker. "Though, I must say it is a shame that he has only had the loving of some she goat," she teased lightly. "So, have any of you fine gentlemen heard anything about the illness in these parts?" she asks. "The innkeeper said something about a curse from Eagle's Eyrie."

[JadedDM]

"That doesn't surprise me," Gimak mentions to Traern quietly. "They'll probably be watching us closely, at least for the first few days. All the more reason to avoid drawing attention to ourselves."

[NoTrammeling]

Gul grunts, taking a long pull from his mug. "Whatever it is, Constable's not pleased. Not one bit. He ain't saying a thing to our likes," says the burly orc with a half-grin, "but we reckon it's Morn what's done it. Some attack on the garrison gone outta control." The other two mercs nod their agreement over their ale.

"One chance is all it'll take," boasts Gul, his muscular fist curling tight around his mug, "one clean fight with the Runner Lord." His companions chortle their support.

[Jenara]

"They distrust anyone who isn't local, Eringad should help us blend in. As can I if the need arises, Raina appears to have blended in quite nicely." She winks at the Dwarf, "She is playing that part rather well." She says softly, so only a few can hear her.

"Plus of course they are seeking Morn, that's obvious.." she says with a sip of her drink, "We should retire soon, and start afresh in the morning."

[Stik]

Traern sips the mead, vaguely disappointed in its flavor, but not offended. "This felt more...specific. Might someone here have been watching for you?"

[Jenara]

"For whom? All of us?"