The monk's shoulders sag . . . thinking, another orphan . . . then rise . . .

"May I?" he asks of the woman.

Not waiting for her response, he takes the child.  He cradles the child in his arms and speaks softly, "I was here this night.  I am yours, Child!"

Kar returns the babe to the woman's arms, "Seek me if you have need."

"No," the guard said. "We don't need you for anything. The seekers know where to find you."

Owain nods at Olven. "Yes, by request the king has given us a gift that will prove useful. We can discuss how best to use it when we have a chance to retire somewhere more private.  Hopefully that will be soon. I think for now we can spare some time to see this matter with the wolf creature to a close. Might I suggest that we obtain more information on what we are dealing with? perhaps we can pay the temple a visit?"

"I would seem that our efforts here are at a close, yes ...", Tarhall says in response to Owain. "And getting a better idea of what this creature could be would certainly be a boon - it's nature lies outside my experience for sure. A visit to a place of lore might be helpful indeed."

"I have other business with the temple as well, we may as well start there." says Owain as he returns to his mount and saddles up. "Shall we be off then?"

"I must be honest, I have never been much of a researcher.  Perhaps while you're in the temple, I should see about acquiring us some mounts for when we're finally allowed to leave the city," Handar suggests.

"I think you will find the merchants far more agreeable during daytime hours, but do as you wish." replies Owain to Handar. They would certainly need more horses if they planned to travel at a pace faster than than that of a snail the knight reasons to himself.

"As it is we may be disturbing the priests at this hour, but no excessively so and this could be construed as something of an emergency."

"Quite so, but first I'll need to find out which stables offer the good horses at good prices," Handar replies with a shrug.

"It's close to midnight," the second watchman who recently returned with the first's wife said to point out how late it was.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Mon 29 Mar 2010.

"I'm coming to think ...", Tarhall says, "... I do have some colleagues around who might also be versed in such lore. I might pay them a visit in the morning as well. It might be prudent to pursue several avenues at once at this stage of inquiry.", he muses.

Kar quietly follows the Lord and others, listening to their conversation.  Eyeing the sky above, the movement of the stars and moons confirm the lateness of the hour.

"Most of our fair city sleeps behind barred doors at this hour, as do the priests, as is the temple.  As should we if we wish to face a new day with a clear mind and sound body.  I, for one, have had a long day of traveling and more lies on my horizon should I rest in my small shrine in Pegasus Ward."

"Just call it a hunch, but beasts tend to be night hunters and I dont expect this one to be different. Will you sleep while other innocent people die? or will we wake a few city coddled priests?"

Owain pauses to let his words do their work on the hearts of men standing around him.

.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:13, Mon 29 Mar 2010.

"Quite so, but as I said, I'm no scholar; I can acquire the goods we need come daylight and I can sell whatever we find for a decent price, but I'm of no use in a library," Handar says.  "Unless you expect to find where the beast will strike next in one of those books, I highly doubt you'll find anything that will save any of tonight's potential victims, and if you do your research after a good night's sleep you might find something that you would have otherwise missed.  To be frank, if the beast is going to strike again tonight, there is little we can do about it; we can't be everywhere at once, and I highly doubt there will be anything in those books to tell us where it'll strike, only where to search for it come daylight."

Owain smiles as does a gentleman when forcing himself to be polite.

"You are right, we certainly dont need all of us to visit the temple. I have business there already. Since I see it fit to wake the priests over this matter I will take the opportunity to conclude all of my business tonight. If I discover anything of immediate importance I will inform you, else I will see you in the morning. May I ask where you are all residing for the time being?"

"I'll accompany you to the temple, Owain," Olven says.  "As for where I dwell, that house over there is mine," and he points to the small home near the murdered man and woman's apartment.  "I won't rest easily, knowing that such a creature is in the city, and if the priests know anything about it, I'd like to help find it."

Handar shrugs.  "Suit yourselves; I'm going to get some sleep.  No doubt I'll see you in the morning.  You'll find me in one of the many beds in the Ward.  Ask around for Handar; you'll bump into someone who knows which one I live in, I'm sure."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Wed 31 Mar 2010.

Owain stares thoughtfully at Handar for several moments as if making his mind up about something, then reaches into his saddlebag. From within he produces a leather document folder fastened closed with a string and toggle. The knight urges his mount to approach and reaches down to hand the man the document.

"I voiced concerns to the king prior to meeting all of you. I know not what sort of men you are and was unsure of whether you could be trusted to represent his majesty in this endeavor."

Owain retains his grip on the folder for a moment and locks eyes with Handar.

"The king has placed his confidence in you all and I trust his majesties judgement. I will also place my trust in you until you prove unworthy of it. Use this gift wisely in your dealings tomorrow. If I may make a suggestion, attempt to gain sponsorship rather than outright purchasing what we need."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Wed 31 Mar 2010.

Kar stands silently, watching the battle of egos.  Prepared to step off with the Lord and Olven, he quietly reminds the knight, "The endeavor the King imagined did not include chasing ghosts in the dark of night"

Handar takes a look at the document to see what it says.

"The endeavor of the king is for the benefit of Kalaman, and so is this. The Lyceum isnt going anywhere and I mentioned before that I have business related to our mission at the temple as well. Once we learn more of this wolf creature we can make a decision on how much time its capture or destruction will require. As of now we havent wasted any significant time on this nor have we gotten off track." replies Owain to Kar's legitimate concern, attempting ease his mind.

"Besides, we can't go anywhere just yet; we were told quite clearly to stay in the city until given leave to go by the seekers," Handar points out.  "At the moment, the time we spend doing this is time we'd otherwise have to spend in the city anyway."

"We shall not be rested, Sire," cautions Kar.  "However, where you lead, I shall go."

. . . thinking, not of himself, is this worthy . . . he'd be an asset . . .

"A boon, perhaps, if you will?" the monk asks with reservation.

"I have business myself on the morrow's sun.  Will you accompany me?"

Edit: Didn't mean to ignore you, Handar, just didn't know how to fit that dialogue in at the moment.

2nd Edit: grammar
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 31 Mar 2010.

"I would be pleased to assist you as time permits, so long as the task is honorable business. Let us see to tonight's matter first as it may have bearing on our schedule tomorrow. However, currently I see no reason why time cannot be made for many tasks tomorrow, so if you request my company I would be happy to provide it." says Owain as he starts his horse towards the nearby temple of Reorx.

Under the moonlight of both Lunitari and Solinari, the five heroes split up. Two to sleep and three to wake up.

[OOC: I’ll keep this thread open a little while longer in case there are more things you want to add.]

The document is a royal decree. It says something to the effect that you, naming each character, are agents of the king in the effort to rebuild the city.

He'd made a good bargain, thinking, Majere, forgive a mortal soul . . .

Kar follows in trail of the knight and his horse.