"I've definitely attracted too much attention," Rogram says, looking both frustrated and wary. "We might could don more disguises and avoid being identified, but I think the idea of going ahead or following is a good one. Now that we know where they're more likely going, leaving ahead of them makes sense to me." The half-dwarf is looking more and more interested. "And with Akira's owl, and Karib being able to keep track of the ring, we should know if they take a different route between here and there. We can always backtrack in that case and only be a little behind them." He looks from face to face. "Should we leave tonight? We could even leave south and then go around the city in case we're being watched."

“Are we sure the cultist wagons are the ones that just joined?  The involvement of Lord Neverember with the camp matches with the wagons we saw.” 

"They have to be," Jamna posits. "There are too many coincidences here - we see them coming to this warehouse, then this Briferhew guy says exactly three wagons joined their convoy. What are the chances that's a different three wagons, considering the info we've gathered so far?"

“I think it may be worth heading up the road on our own to check out the work camp, either ahead of the caravan, or following behind it at a distance, but what say all of you?”

"We might could don more disguises and avoid being identified, but I think the idea of going ahead or following is a good one."

"Hmm, I'm not so sure," Carlon says after grunting in thought. Waving his hands apologetically in front of him when eyes turn his way, he continues, "Don't get me wrong, I think we can handle the road by ourselves - but there's a saying in the Harpers, 'an enemy out of sight is a dagger unseen'."

Jamna rolls her eyes at the mention of the Harpers, but adds, "He does have a point. If ole Roggo here is right, then they already know that we're onto them. If we separate from them now, then they know that we know that they know that we're on to them. We have an ace up our sleeve with Karib's little ring trick. I say we let them get overconfident and think they know what we're up to."

Briferhew continues rifling through paperwork as he stands behind the desk, keeping busy while he awaits the party's response.

Rogram visibly considers the newcomers' words, then shrugs, looking apathetic.

Suddenly, his face opens up in a look of surprise. "The Lords' Alliance! I almost forgot." He turns and hurries back into the warehouse to the human. "Sir, is there a Lords' Alliance post or headquarters or something here in Waterdeep?"

Karib winces at the mention of the ring, "Works only for a short distance..."

He is torn between trying to get ahead of the cult and worrying that this all may be a ruse. Perhaps the cult paid the man to misdirect inquiries. Following the treasure seems like the safest plan to him, but also the most predictable. When Rodrigo asks about the Lords Alliance he nods.

Making sure that they are well out of earshot from the man behind the counter he says, "The Lords will at least know the roads. Perhaps we can wait for the wagons to leave then -- on horses -- we can get ahead of them since they need to follow the road. A map might help decide. The Lords may even be able to ensure that they are delayed..."

"Sir, is there a Lords' Alliance post or headquarters or something here in Waterdeep?"

Briferhew chuckles. "You're practically in one," he says. "Lord Neverember is the head of the Lords' Alliance in Neverwinter, and so anything that bears his seal is in effect a part of the Lords' Alliance, including our little consortium. Waterdeep is the largest member state of the Alliance by far, and so Lady Silverhand is considered its leader now that she is the Open Lord of Waterdeep. I can't imagine Lord Neverember is happy about it, but they're partners in the Lords' Alliance nonetheless."

Rogram feels like he's hit the jackpot. But then, as high officials are named, a shadow darkens his face. He was hoping for somebody more approachable. "I ... I need to get a message to Lord Neverwinter or ... Lady Silver ... hand?" He speaks the names very hesitantly, but then barrels on with urgency. "There's something going on in the north. My town — Greenest — was attacked by ... " He looks around and then leans in, speaking more quietly. "... the Cult of the Dragon. They're on the move north, and I need to alert the Lords' Alliance. The Harpers and the Order of the Gauntlet already know."

Briferhew listens to Rogram, seeming concerned, though when his eyes look over toward the pile of paperwork at his desk, he sighs. "I tell you what. I'll file that report for you and make sure it gets into the right hands. In exchange I'd like for you all to simply consider joining the convoy as guards," he says. He holds his hands up in reassurance. "Don't worry, this isn't a favor, and even though I don't have much time between now and tomorrow morning to shore things up here, I know the look of experience in combat when I see it. The Mere of Dead Men is a wild and dangerous place, and more guards are never a bad thing; and if you want to find work at the roadhouse, there's plenty of turnover. We're always looking for experienced carpenters and smiths."

Rogram appears hesitant and a bit disappointed. "Is there someone else I could tell? You seem really busy, and I'd like to get the message out as quickly as possible. Plus, well, the Harpers and Order wanted me to join up. And, well, the Lords' Alliance used to keep order in Greenest, and my Pa respects them, so if I was going to join up with a group, that's who I'd want to ... ally with."

Briferhew looks a bit baffled for a moment. "Perhaps I didn't explain quite well enough." He opens his arms wide and looks around the warehouse. "You're looking at a consortium that is affiliated with Lord Neverember, who is the leader of a key member state of the Lord's Alliance. And while yes, you could go to any old guardpost in the city and file a report with them and hope they give it the light of day, I've already said that I would file that report for you, and our communication goes directly to Lord Neverember himself. He has quite an investment in the rebuilding of the High Road."

"Oh," Rogram says, looking both apologetic and disappointed. "OK."

He turns and walks outside to the others. "So, are we going to join the caravan?" He appears to have deflated sails. When questioned about it, he makes a dismissive gesture. "It's nothing." He forces a smile. "I'm fine."

Karib look back at the trading house dubiously, "Are we even sure that the cult are traveling that way?" He draws a deep breath, frowning, then turns to Rogram and continues. "Do you think they have maps of the route? Might we wait to see when they leave then somehow get ahead of them?"

A little time passes while Karib's mind slowly works through the situation then his face slowly brightens. "I have never been a fast thinker, or deep in devious strategies, but Gond has given me gifts that I need to learn to use."

His eyes linger on Rogram before turning north, "We may even be able to..." he pauses. Giving the lad false hope would be cruel. "We'll see."

The furrows in his brow disappear as he turns back to the others, "I think we should get a map if possible, but either way we should head north ahead of the wagons. Carlon should wait here, and make sure that they take the road. If he or Jamna can join the caravan as guards, all the better. I will be able to speak with whoever remains behind and with luck we can meet up at the destination."

Merric looks at Karib and taps his chin thoughtfully at his suggestion. “It may be wise to cover all of the options. I joined the last caravan as a guard midway, it probably wouldn’t raise any suspicion to see me on another.  And I don’t think I have drawn the cultist’s eyes.” He looks over at Jamna “I will stay back, maybe with Jamna if she is willing.  We can watch the cultists on the journey north, make sure they don’t leave the caravan and regroup with you and the others at the camp.”  He turns back to the others “Now, Karib, tell me how we will be able to speak with each other.”

"I...I am only recently able to do this, and it is taxing. But Gond has granted me the ability to contact those I know over a long distance. We can only exchange a few words...twenty-five or so...but the distance is not an issue."

He pauses for a moment then continues, his gaze settling on Rogram briefly, "I am not sure how the journey will go -- if it will be evenful -- but if I am not too troubled then I would hope to make such contact every day or so."

Insight: 22

Rogram's eyes widen. "Wait," he says, looking at Karib intently. "Anyone you know?"

Karib nods, "Aye, lad. But, don't let your hopes too high: wizards being wizards, there may be ways to break it. I had hoped to try tonight...if nothing else gets in the way."

"I don't know," Jamna murmurs. "Don't get me wrong, I can handle 'em on my own, I just worry that you lot won't be able to find your way back to us once we separate."

"We can trust Karib," Carlon says, taking her jab at face value. "So Merric, Jamna and I will take Briferhew up on his offer, while Karib, Rogram and Akira head north ahead of the wagons."

Jamna frowns at Carlon, then turns to Karib. "That might be fine, but how far ahead? And what if you get there and can't get in? Working for Briferhew gets us in, but what about you lot?"

Rogram looks like he's about to burst out of his skin, but he manages to pay attention to what Jamna and Carlon are saying. "I could ask the guy inside if we'd have trouble. I could tell him we want to leave before the caravan, but we want to make sure we can get into the camp. If we need something, maybe he'll help us. He is Lords' Alliance, after all, and they're good people."

The half-dwarf smiles broadly and bounces a little on the balls of his feet, looking up at the big human. "Anyway, I'm staying with Karib, wherever he goes."

Karib bursts into laughter and claps Rogram on the back, smiling warmly, "I meant my words, lad: don't get your hopes up...but I'll do what I can."

"As to speaking to the man inside; maybe best to say some of us will take up the offer but others are tired of escort duty, but would be interested in work at the camp. Perhaps ask if there might be such openings, and if there are, ask if he has any advice on the journey?"

He looks around at the others, head tilted to one side, waiting for any comments.

OOC: From here, just need to know how far ahead of the convoy the Karib/Rogram/Akira group is moving. Once I have a picture of where the two groups are in relation to one another, I can get us moving.

If there is any remaining conversation to have with Briferhew or any remaining activities in Waterdeep before rolling out, let me know.