"We don't have a suspect per say. But it's likely someone who works in the central office and has access to the manifests" Count Elis replied as behind him Baron Hangel and Sir Galden conversed.

"We'll  have someone escort you to the guildhall" he promised and a liveried footman quickly appears and leads you towards the Merchants Guildhouse.

"I'll do my best to find someone," Epineh said.

You enter the guildhouse and keeping your head down manage to register the fraudulent shipment and then retreat from the bustle to a place you can cast the invisibility spell.

The bustle of the guildhouse continues around you, merchants trying to get loads registered or into warehouses, clerks and scribes trying to keep up with the flow of information.

[ooc: Perception check please]

(OOC: Perception check - Epineh Alena Grimmory Ashmore rolled 14 using 1d20+2)

It's about 20m8ns later you see a clerk rise from his desk and carefully make his way past where the new deliveries are registered and palms one of the copies made of your fake load, and then make his way towards an exit, glancing about nervously.

Epineh followed the man.

He dissapears out the door and winds through the streets before arriving at what seems to be a small shop selling hot food. He orders something and as he pays he slips the sheet of paper to the vendor.

Dei stayed back and watched invisibility. She'd do this all day if she had to.

The clerk headed back towards the guild House of seemed and a few hours later,  a new figure slipped out the shop and raced towards the edge of the city.

[OOC: You've had to use 2 more hours worth of invisibility. Give me an athletics check to see how closely you can follow]

(OOC: athletics check - Epineh Alena Grimmory Ashmore rolled 11 using 1d20-1)

It's not easy to keep up, you are close to running at full tilt and have to dodge around people who can't see you. But you are just about able to keep the runner in sight as he leaves the city, and moves to a copse nearby where a group of about 6 rough, looking men and women seem to be waiting for them

"What you got this time?" One of the ask "Better be worth it if you expect any coin"

Epineh tried to catch her breath quietly as she watched.

The figure you had been following hands the paper over "Armour, weapons, some fancy dresses worn by that empty headed excuse of a princess" They said their voice had a musical lilt to it.

"Seems like a good haul to me" they added as the man grabbed the paper and examined it "Fine, we'll take it" he said and tossed a coin pouch to the figure you had been following.

"We'll hit them at the Cross roads, armour and weapons will be heavy and it's close to camp"

Epineh made mental note of everything.

The slight figure shrugged "You do what you want, I'm just in this for the coin" they said and turned and began to head back to the city.

Epineh headed back for the baron's house.

You arrive back to find that the meeting has ended some of the royal guardsmen have already been dispatched to begin a patrol.

Lady Alisha quickly accosts you "Where have you been? I was worried you'd run off to do something foolish"

"I found out a ton of stuff. I need to talk with the Baron and everyone," Epineh said, heading inside.

Lady Alisha bows slightly "I will see if I can arrange something" she said and hurried off. A short time later she returned with Baron Hangel, Count Elis and Sir Galden in tow and you reconvened in the same room you previously met him in.

"Your lady tells us you think you found something?" the Baron asked in an unconvinced tone.

"Yes, I have found out who has been helping the bandits within the guild, set up a potential ambush and have a general idea where their base is," Epineh said before explaining.

The Barons skeptical expression faded "That's...unexpectedly useful" he finally conceded, as he turned and pulled out a map showing the attacks. "There is a crossroads.." he traced the path of the road "Here" he said pointing to the spot "There has been attacks by it before, but its far enough out we've not searched the area"

"We could have a fake shipment while another group looks for their base," Epineh said.

Baron Hangel nods firmly "This does seem a good chance to smash these Bandits once and for all" he agreed and then bowed deeply to Ephineh "Thank you, your highness your help has been invaluable"

"You're welcome. I like to help. I'm think that once we finish with this and I head back to the castle. I actually send some of my dresses here for an auction to raise some money to make up what was lost for the city. At least partially," Epineh said.

The Baron bows again in acknowledgment "As you wish your highness" he straightened "I think it will take at least a day to set things in motion"