Terjon, the chief cleric of St Cuthbert spoke next.
"Now I'm sure you have many questions, and we will answer them to the best of our ability."

"Wha's ta 'appen ta tha' boy, Gwythe? 'e's been b'avin' 'imsel' e'en if 'e 'an't told us everythin' 'e knew."

"Well, as you know he was on probation and under your care for his previous crimes. Although he hasn't actually done anything that would invalidate his freedom, the council feels it is best if we keep him here in the village under our direct supervision."
"Therefore I'm afraid to say his adventures with you have come to an end, for now at least."

"Your letter is more then enough. It is my hopes that when I return to you I will be fully Knighted."

Happy to be of service, really.

Ronalt strolled in with his companions and listened, "I see no trouble for us in escorting the prisoners to Verbobonc."
"The letters of introduction would be appreciated."
"Do you have any mail which needs delivery to the city?"

Brother Yew nodded agreement with Ronalt's reply then added a few questions of his own.

"I too was approached by a man in the dark who tried to recruit me before I spoke to the Council previously, as I told you at the time. I did not see him well, just a glimpse as he departed, barely enough to determine he was of human size, had a habit of spitting and moved with unusual agility. Would that be either of the two men you have arrested or someone else? Have there been any other incidents in this area in the last few days that we should be aware of?"

"Yes, I recall you told us about them last time we saw you. It's possible it's the same as either Rannos or Gremag, but we just don't know."
"And no, there's been no incidents of note recently that we know about."

"That we know about," Rael reiterated.
"That's a good idea Ronalt. I'll send one of my boys around the village to see if anyone has any messages they'd like sent. When will you be departing?"

"As soon as the prisoners are shackled and ready for transport and the letters are done we can leave." Ronalt replied.

Brother Yew bowed to about 45 degrees in acknowledgement of Rufus's response then nodded in agreement with Ronalt's reply. Words were not necessary. [Private to GM: Yew heard Gremag and Rannos Davl's voices protesting their innocence when they were arrested (and their guard's voice too at the shop). Do any of them sound like the voice of the person who delivered the message to him in the darkness before he met the Council the first time?]

The meeting soon winds up, a boy dispatched to pass the message around regarding mail.
Two hours later and a small bundle of documents is handed to Ronalt, individual letters of introduction given to each member of the party, and all prisoners securely chained to the wagon.
"Time to head off I think," Burne observes. "Should take you about three and a half days to reach Verbobonc."
"Remember, don't let any of the prisoners escape and don't believe a word they say."
And with that, the party was off....

OOC: Last chance for any parting words/questions. Get your characters levelled up if you haven't already, update character sheets and descriptions. Prices of non-magical equipment as per the books in the city.
Is ANYONE interested in henchmen/hirelings? Ben is available and if nobody else takes him Arek will. Many more potential meat shields sidekicks available in Verbobonc.

A full month after leaving (for most anyway) and the familiar, almost homelike sight of Hommlet comes back into view. Almost four days on the road has left most tired and somewhat saddle sore after soft living in Verbobonc. Passing by the temple to St Cuthbert, the trading post (which has a sign on the door "under new management"), money changers, cabinet maker, tailor, and town hall (as well as several farm houses), the party arrives outside the Inn of the Welcome Wench, the square wooden sign shows a buxom and smiling girl holding a flagon of beer.
The inn is a place renowned for its good food and excellent drink. Passing merchants make a point of stopping, as do many other sorts of wayfarers, and it is said that the place is always filled with patrons.
A young boy dashes into the stable, returning a moment later with the groom to take your horses...

"Aw'igh'. E'ryone gi' yerselves settl'd an' we'll 'ead o'er ta see Rael an' fin' ou' wha's been 'appenin'."

A familiar, albeit much healthier face appeared from the doorway of the inn.
"Arek, sir! You're back!"
"Thought I heard your voice out here!"
The last time anyone had seen Ben he'd been bedridden, recovering from the terrible injuries the temple's torturer has inflicted upon him.
"Heading back in again? Teach those heathens another lesson?"

"This is a reputable establishment? The name does nothing to suggest so...but it will have to do, one supposes."

Corvus waits for one of his new companions to lead the way, but he will share a room with none of them.

"I will join you at the inn later. Just going up to the tower to report the prisoners had been handed in and check on recent news." Ronalt heads to the tower.
[Private to GM: Ronalt seeks out mage Burne. "The sage did aid me a little and explained some of the blades history."
Ronalt shares what he has learned, in case the blade is given to another should Ronalt fall.]

Brother Yew stays with Corvus to enter the inn.

"Yes indeed, Master Corvus, the sign suggests only happiness and a decent beverage. I am led to understand that on the less salubrious sort of establishment the sign would feature less clothing. I have no experience of that sort of place, of course, but have indeed enjoyed a decent meal before at the Welcome Wench. Come inside and we shall see if anyone we know is here."

Yew opened the door and led the way inside.

follow the rest of the group inside the Inn..."not sure what they have in mind for happiness but I could certainly use a decent beverage, makes what I do that much more convincing" he laughs quietly to himself not really talking to any in particular as they looked to settle in.

Amathaon stepped inside. He looked forward to some good ale. After what he'd been through, he felt he needed it.

"Greetings, Master Chalkbreaker," Yew hailed the dwarf. "We are just returned from Verbobonc with a couple of new friends. Allow me to introduce them. Master Corvus, the elf, is a mage and Master Rondo, the gnome, is an illusionist, I believe. We have not yet had any opportunity to see each other in action but they have both agreed to join our mission against the evil temple. Have you any news for us?"

"Yer do realise 'e's been travellin' with us fer the last four days right?"

"Politeness costs nothing, Rolf...you should try it some time," says Corvus, being impolite. "The good brother is a good communicator, and you should all be grateful for that."

"Anyway," interjected Wonnilon before the conversation got too out of hand, "Lets organise lodgings, freshen ourselves up and head over to see the head man."
"After you, Luthien."

Brother Yew raised an eyebrow slightly at Rolf's remark.

"Truly, Master Rolf? I do not recall seeing or hearing Master Chalkbreaker at all since we left Hommlet a month ago. Now that I think on it, that represents a truly remarkable display of stealth. I commend you on such skill, Master Chalkbreaker."

He bows deeply to Amathaon.

Sir Luthien was already proceeding towards the inn. Best to lead by example, he thought.

Then he had to find the owner of the inn...