Ada climbs up into the carriage and gives Ireena a curious glance. 

"It's all right," she says to the girl, trying to comfort her. "We are here to protect you."

Ireena nods along. "Yes.... Thank you..." The elf turns the carriage around and the horses start to rush it back the way it came. The forest still surrounds the road.

Kessintra does her best to hide her concern at Ireena's condition, focusing on keeping an eye out for any enemies hiding in the woods as the carriage progresses.

Perception: 21

Razz and Hooty are on top of the carriage, trying to decide how to start a conversation with the driver.  "I guess it's best to see where we're heading and what route we'll be taking," Razz says to himself but loud enough that the driver can hear him before he repeats it all again but this time addressing the driver by name.

While he's trying to talk to the driver, he sends hooty up to keep an eye on their surroundings.

(( Hooty Perception Check: 20 ))

(( Hooty Perception Check: 20 ))

None of you can see anything in the woods. It's hard for Hooty to see through the fog, but they can make out a tower on a lake up ahead.

The driver replies, "We're taking the fastest route. Technically, there's another path that takes the same amount of time, but this is the fastest nonetheless."

Seeing that Hooty is doing as good a job as possible keeping watch, Kess reaches for her lyre. Perhaps a soothing song will help Ireena feel a bit better.

Performance: 14

The listeners may notice a few stray, haunting notes here and there that aren't played by Kess' hand.

Speaking out to the driver, “What’s the other route? And do you know who that tower belongs to?” (Assuming they told us about what they are seeing)

"The other route is more south. It's used quite a bit more as well. The tower along this path used to belong to a wizard named Khazan. I think he tried to become a lich.... I haven't seen him in a couple hundred years."

(It's the same tower you saw on the way)

Chipper takes a look at the tower and remarks, "It makes a good image. Curious how easy it is to replicate it." He then pulls a piece of fleece out of a pouch and waves it, creating an image of the tower inside the carriage by Razz. He then carries on, "LIchdom has its moral complexities, but a tower is always a delightful dream."

As he speaks a whisper comes from the illusion towards Razz's ears, "Would you be willing to have Hooty take a look at the tower? We already had a hunch that might be the wizard tower on a lake we're looking for. And Khazan fills the lead we had of the wizard's name starting with a 'k.'"

[[
Minor Illusion using the improved illusion to create the image and then the sound with a slight delay so Chipper can speak over it (trying to hide it from Rahadin)
]]

Razz's face goes blank for a moment and then it looks like Hooty flies upperwards higher and higher to get a better look of the surroundings before flying off on its own.

(( Razz let's Hooty know to check the tower but to avoid any creatures if it sees any.  It's to keep track of everything it can and once we get to our destination, I'll recall him back. He doesn't want Hooty gone any longer than that. ))

Razz starts talking to the driver again.  "Do you know if there will be anything to eat once we get where we are going?  It's been a bit since we've eaten and I'm afraid Hooty has gone off to find something to quiet my stomach." 

(( Deception check: 23 ))

(( Hooty Perception Check: 17  - Hooty has Advantage on Perception checks, that's why I rolled twice earlier.  I figured out how to do with advantage so this one is only a single roll))

Kessintra tries to recall if she's heard anything about liches in her travels. If Rahadin hasn't seen Khazan in centuries, perhaps the wizard succeeded and is hiding out somewhere.

Arcana: nat 1 + 3

Hooty is able to get a much closer view of the tower. It doesn't appear to have any windows. Carved into the lintel above the door is a word: Khazan. The door itself is made of iron with no visible hinges or handles. In the middle of the door is a large, embossed symbol — a connected series of lines with eight stick figures set around it. Hooty also spots a purple wagon nearby in the mud. 

"There's an inn in Vallaki. It's called the Blue Water inn."

Kess can remember that liches are undead and can cast spells.

“Do you know of a good place to make sales there? Specifically historic books and the like”

"Looking to sell your stolen goods?" The elf gives an exhausted sigh. "Stores might take it, but it'd be more lucrative to sell to an eccentric individual."

“Yes I am actually, and if Strahd cared, he would’ve said something. Do you know of any such individuals in the area?”

"How do you know about that already anyway?" Kess asks Rahadin, surprised news of the not-so-grand book heist has gotten out so fast.

"Firstly, you ask took your sweet time in the castle. Second, the master knows the message spell. As for who to sell to, I have no clue. I would say the baron, but he's not an option anymore."

Ada glances at Kess, a question suddenly coming to her. "You mentioned earlier that Strahd saw through your ruse," says Ada. "Why does that matter? Is not Ireena his future bride?"

Kessintra gives a frown and sighs, figuring now is as good a time as any to begin explaining. "Yes, we were attempting to protect Ireena from Strahd at first. He's a vampire and the marriage is not exactly...mutually agreed upon. He was too strong for us to do much and ended up capturing her, but since a vampire hunter infiltrated his castle he is letting us guard Ireena outside for now. Said hunter can't kill Strahd either, so would probably target her just to keep her from being turned after the wedding in a few weeks."