Esta really isn't sure just how this is all working; the clues might be there but tantalizingly beyond their ken for now.

Josbert begins pulling at the wood covering the archway. "If I had all the answers I wouldn't be taking you to my patron. But I said I saw your situation, not that I accessed your records. My gain is not disobeying my patron, that is enough for me. But why they want to help you, you'll have to ask them. You are far more likely to get answers from them than from the courts. The courts will only remind you of your crime and most likely will simply banish you to the Mazes." He finishes opening the doorway, "So, you coming?"

Halila makes no hesitation in following. But she continues speaking to Josbert. "What exactly are the Mazes?"

Sizzle Scratches his neck with his gloved hand before adjusting his pack and stepping towards the pale elf. "I've never had good experiences with the law." The goblin grumbled. "I've got questions too...but maybe he can answer them while we move.. I don't think we have many options right now." He adds before moving to stand next to the elf.

Sizzle stands ready to move when everyone else is.

Josbeth frowns, "The Mazes are just what they sound like. A dark mirror of this city, but a hopeless maze of endless streets and corridors, where no one gets out once you get in. Just a hopeless existence to wander forever in a lifeless place."

"Hardly seems fair, a maze with no way out," Halila mutters as she continues to follow Josbeth. "Where are we going anyway? Yea, yea, to see your patron. But where."  After a bit of a pause she gives a short chuckle. "Not that it'll mean anything to me." 

"Ooo this is getting interesting." The voice chimes in.

Zakhar watches Josbert closely. He doesn't seem to have ill intent, but this all still could be a trap. Though it doesn't seem like there's much of a choice but to see what this patron wants.

"Hey the maze doesn't sound THAT bad. I guess you could go back to the guards if you want. A hopeless maze certainly seems better than a prison cell don't ya think!"

Ignoring the voice, the young man follows Halila and Josbert. What the heck is this mess he's been thrown into?

"No idea, but it's chaotic so why complain? Hahaha"

Tyriel grits his teeth, understanding the situation finally... ish... but not liking one bit of it. 

"Fine, lead the way," he gestures towards the doorway. "Hopefully your patron can explain this more to us." 

"I don't have time for mazes," he mutters, flexing his hand for no apparent reason before following the pale elf... 

"The fastest way to my patron is through Undersigil, but keep your wits about you. We may evade the guards above, but there are plenty more dangers down below." Josberth then ducks into the tunnel with you all and you all can begin your trek through the darker side of the city, an almost twisted version of the life above. The gloom is almost palpable down here as you tread through murky streets and passages. After a short while, a tunnel leads through a half-collapsed basement. At the center of the chamber, a rat with an exposed brain and a bloated stomach lies belly-up on a porcelain plate scattered with pink crumbs. As the rodent meets your gaze, you hear a low voice in your mind. “Do what you must,” it says. “We have already won.”

If the rat does not seem to be doing anything - other than speaking into her mind - she figures it best be left alone. "Let's just keep moving. No need to invite more problems!"  She looks at Josbeth for a moment. "Are we getting closer? I'm not having high hopes for the quality of our destination!" she says with a grin. 

Sizzle steps back from the rat as a shocked expression spreads across his face. "Are... are you OK? You need help there.. uh... rat?" The goblin asks as he takes a step towards the creature.

"We are taking as efficient a route as I can manage. We'll be there as soon as we can be there. As for your hopes, I think you will be pleasantly surprised then." Josbert looked at the strange rat for a moment, then keeps walking on. "We do not need your help, we will be all soon. Beware the scent of strawberry," the rat utters before lolling to the side in a sickened stupor.

"Already won?" Tyriel says demandingly. "Won what exactly? And what do you mean by you'll be all soon?" He looks to Joshbert, expecting an explanation and frowning as the elf just continues walking. 

"Ok then," Halila says. "Let's hope I'm surprised then!" She keeps following Josbert, glad he just kept going. 

Zakhar gives the sad looking creature an odd look. Part of him feels bad for it, but he also feels like there’s more to it than just being a simple lab rat. 

At first he ignores it, but when it gives its warning, he glances at it once again. The send to strawberries eh? Best keep that in mind. 

Turning away once again, he continues to follow their guide.

The bloated odd rat doesn't elaborate any further, falling into an unconscious reverie. The path forward wends and winds its way through the Undersigil, before a gentle slope down leads to a narrowing of the tunnel. After a short bit further you can see dim light coming from a room ahead, and the scent of strawberry assaults you, along with a dank smell. Josbert slows down a bit but continues into the room. There a strawberry cake decorated with leathery wings rests on a festive table in this damp, dimly lit chamber. Wet sediment collects around floor drains, and gaping sewer pipes protrude from the stone walls. The other end of the tunnel is barred shut. Four rosy-cheeked humans in grimy baker’s attire sit at the table, sipping tea with pinkies extended.

Halila's eyes are first drawn to the four bakers sitting at the table. "What's going on here?" she asks, shifting her gaze in Josbert's direction. "This can't be our destination!"  She slows as well, waiting to see what Josbert might say or where he goes to next. 

"Well it looks like we were invited to some kind of fancy tea party..." Sizzle sneers. "I.. Think I'll pass on a slice of cake... I'm not normally a picky eater but it seems a bit... unsanitary down here." He adds as he gestures around to the filthy surrounding them.

Josbert looks just as surprised as the rest of you and begins commenting that this isn't remotely where they were heading but then a pink-haired lady hops up and introduces herself. "Welcome everyone! I'm Gertrube! Come share a slice with us! It's always a tea time here!" The other people smile a bit wickedly but pleasantly and gesture to the chairs.

(You can make a History check too if you want to see if you can know something about this group)

(Make an Insight too on them if you want)

Zakhar glances at the strange tea party, then looks back at Josbert raising an eyebrow.

"Heh, this is like in Alice in Wonderland. You know, with the mad hatter?" The voice laughs.

Zakhar ignores the voice as usual...this is not the first time it's said something so nonsensical and off the wall. "I think i'll pass. I don't think we have time to sit around and drink tea." He glances at the rest of the group, then back at the strange tea drinkers.

History: 9

Insight: 2

(Halila History Check: 8, Insight Check: 11)

"Just - who are you?" Halila asks Gertube." She looks over at Josbert. "I think we'd best just move along, right?"