As walk up to Harry, you see him staring at the corner where Doloran just stood, and you notice every inch of his body trembling with rage and... Sorrow? He seems to only half notice you at first, muttering to himself as much as to you "Quarterling? I suppose so... What else is half a halfling after all? Blast that man and his twice cursed flunkies!" He then turns to you and asks, " Oh, pardon miss, my mind is so twisted up in knots right now I forget myself! What should we do now? Where are your friends?"

Jormund

The dwarf's brow furrows as he calculates the odds of his catching all the "long legs" and taking them out one by one... then his stomach grumbles and his computation is complete.

"Dag-nabbit! Where'd everybody else go? After that noise that was clearly a distraction so they could get their rat-king back! Gradlukik! Fleergoon!" (ooc anybody who speaks shield dwarf knows what that last part meant and it isn't polite.)

With a kind of a hard kick he pivots back toward Harry and the temple and stomp-marches a few steps toward the halfling.

"Bargoditit shefnek shettebarrow." (ooc also not polite, but safe in mixed company)

"That went horrible, eh?! But ye didn't tell me you had sorcerous tendencies there Harry... at least ye had me back." And he puts out a mailed hand to Harry to shake to their shared loss...

Hearing your colorful language, harry will give you a wry smile and say: "Well, you don't travel the sword coast by yourself without picking up a few tricks. Music can inspire and music can destroy. My favorite songs do a bit of both! I was happy to help out! I'm only just beginning to pay you all back for what you've done for me!

And harry shakes your hand warmly.

If the market team is not gonna chase Doloran, we're are gonna end initiative. Bryn, you are able to stabilize Ann and Vedui. 

Hey All.  

So Bryn and Ann, despite heavy wounds, have managed to drive off the red cloaks from the mortuary and rescue their fallen comrade Vedui.  Jared, huffing heavily from running so rapidly after them, comes on the scene and assists you Bryn.  He'll ask you "Well now Bryn, it looks like we've kicked a real hornet's nest here.  What do you make of all of this?  And what should we do with these two?" Gesturing to Ann and Vedui. 

You 4 are in the midst of a now silent alley, with the sounds of guards searching and seeking throughout the nearby area still occasionally reaching your ears.  

Jormund and Rowan, you come together on the temple steps with Harry and Quinry at your side.  Father Albrite is nearby, and gripping his staff tightly and on guard. He appears nervous and startles when a charred marble tile clattered to the ground from the temple wall.  "What happened here?  Did, did, you all see who did this?  Where'd they go?"

Rowan

"Sorry about all of... that." Rowan gestures vaguely to the charred temple steps. She pulls her cloak tighter around her, gripping the edges of the fabric like a lifeline, and glances nervously over her shoulder. "I don't know who all those people were, it seemed like they were in a cult or something. Some of them went that way-" she points to where the group Jormund and Harry were fighting escaped to, "-and our friends chased some of the others down there." She points across the marketplace to the alley. "Oh! I should probably check to make sure they're okay."

Her eyes glaze over for a second as she pops into Enya's vision and takes in the scene - an exhausted Bryn and Jared standing over the two unconscious bodies. "Ann and Vedui are hurt. We should try to catch up - I think I can figure out the way."

(Are Sir Henry and his guards still in sight of either group?)

Bryn

”I think we should get these two to healers as quickly as possible.” He looks at Enya, ”You’re that girl’s familiar right? Can you let her know that Ann and Vedui are in bad shape and we need help to  get Ann and Vedui to healers quickly.” Returning his attention to Jared, ”You wouldn’t happen to have a healing kit on you or skills in medicine? My own skills in the healing arts are mediocre as I’ve never had to put them to much use regularly. I can carry one of them if needed but I don’t know where I’m heading in this town and I’m hesitant for us to split up incase the red cloaks come back. Hopefully we can keep them from getting worse until help arrives.”

Quote from ArtymisMoon >>

Rowan

"Sorry about all of... that." Rowan gestures vaguely to the charred temple steps. She pulls her cloak tighter around her, gripping the edges of the fabric like a lifeline, and glances nervously over her shoulder. "I don't know who all those people were, it seemed like they were in a cult or something. Some of them went that way-" she points to where the group Jormund and Harry were fighting escaped to, "-and our friends chased some of the others down there." She points across the marketplace to the alley. "Oh! I should probably check to make sure they're okay."

Her eyes glaze over for a second as she pops into Enya's vision and takes in the scene - an exhausted Bryn and Jared standing over the two unconscious bodies. "Ann and Vedui are hurt. We should try to catch up - I think I can figure out the way."

(Are Sir Henry and his guards still in sight of either group?)

 As you mention the charred temple, You see a visibly pained look cross Father Albrite's face as he considers the damage. However, he quickly tries to compose himself, and He asks "So you were the one using fire to defend the temple?  That is a rare and unusual gift, one you would do well to cultivate! Well, never let it be said that the Dawn Father was ungrateful to his champions!  This temple can be mended in time, but if your friends are hurt, it would be wise to bring them here immediately! I am not skilled in war, but in healing, so we may be able to assist you." And Father Albrite will send 4 priests with stretchers to follow you.

 You also hear a flurry of activity on the north end of the square and see flashes of armor and swords moving rapidly through the streets.  However, there does not appear to be any sounds of active conflict.  Other than that, you see that there were still 2 guards posted at the entrance to the town hall who are watching you all intently, but otherwise maintaining their posts. 

Quote from Zalmanni >>

Bryn

”I think we should get these two to healers as quickly as possible.” He looks at Enya, ”You’re that girl’s familiar right? Can you let her know that Ann and Vedui are in bad shape and we need help to  get Ann and Vedui to healers quickly.” Returning his attention to Jared, ”You wouldn’t happen to have a healing kit on you or skills in medicine? My own skills in the healing arts are mediocre as I’ve never had to put them to much use regularly. I can carry one of them if needed but I don’t know where I’m heading in this town and I’m hesitant for us to split up incase the red cloaks come back. Hopefully we can keep them from getting worse until help arrives.”

Bryn, you and Jared watch over Ann and Vedui for some time.  After a few minutes, Sir Henry will come back to you and check on your fallen comrades.  He looks visibly frustrated and says, "Blast it all, they've given us the slip! Well, they won't get away with this for long, I'll tear this place apart to find them!  Fighting and kidnapping in my streets. How dare they!"

Calming slightly, he looks at your friends and asks,
"How are your companions?  Not dead I hope?"

It takes some time, but eventually, Rowan is able to guide her group to Ann and Vedui. The priests will immediately cast cure wounds on you two, and you wake up with Ann: 5 Vedui: 9 Hit points

What do you all do next?

Vedui jumps to his feet....quickly glancing around and seeing Bryn before calming himself  "It was them....they recognized me immediately.  Also, there was a another magic user...."

He will pause and look around..."My spear..."

Ann was still lying on her back. As her consciousness returns, she squints her eyes and starts getting up. Her right hand is used to support her body while the other rubs her head at the place of impact. It takes a few seconds, but her eyes jolt open, and she looks around.

Nothing.

A disappointed look comes across the knight's face, and, along with that, she sighs. Feeling defeated, she picks up her rapier from the floor and then gets up. "I presume they escaped? I was at the forefront of the chasing party, so it's easy to understand how my failure would've cost us getting to them." She takes note of who's around and immediately turns towards Sir Henry with a bow. "My apologies." Then to Rowan, and another bow. "And to you as well."

Bryn looks at Ann and smile reassuringly,“Your failure? You’re not dead, we have Vedui, the red cloaks are scattered for now, and we have time to regroup.... that’s hardly a failure in my book. There’s always someone out there who is better or luckier than you. You did your best and the dice came up against you, nothing to be ashamed of or to apologize for.”

Vedui looks at Ann.  "If this is anyone's fault it is mine.  I went to spy and ended up fighting more than was wise....I should have run for help when I had the chance.  There is no blame on you Ann, and I am in your debt for your sacrifice and bravery."  Vedui bows deeply to Ann. 

ooc:  I assume there will be some discussion and mutual filling in on what has happened...

Jormund

Jormund comes trudging up with Rowan, looking dour even for a dwarf and listening... then, "All that be trailings off the vein. That curs-ed rat-in-Red escaped. What was that noise y'all went a-chasin' anyhow? How'd they get us divided? ... I'm in plenty o' heat now with letting that link slip... no fish and no rat. Any thoughts about how to catch 'em again? P'rhaps discuss over breakfast?"

Joranth

"Yes, mulling over the events of today over some food and drink sounds like an excellent idea to me."

"Unfortunately not everyone seems to think so," Rowan replies quietly to Father Albrite as they set off.

When the others come into sight and she notices Sir Henry there, she immediately falls to the back of the group and stares at her feet, trying not to draw attention to herself. Enya scampers up into her arms, and Rowan holds the cat tightly to her chest as the others speak.

Ann

Ann has a moment of quiet to think over the words said to her, both by Bryn and Vedui. "I appreciate the kindness. I suppose my tasks, in their entirety, were partially successful. I must strive to be stronger, however. There's no telling they wouldn't see my fall as a chance to go back and carry my unconscious body with them as well."

After that, she hears the idea of pausing for breakfast, and her eyes catch Rowan again. "I fear that both I and her won't be able to reunite with you for breakfast for now. We came to Amphail with the specific goal of visiting the town's tailor. I took this little detour to help you because protecting the innocent is also my objective."

Vedui glances over at Rowan but turns back to Ann.  "Well, If indeed that is the case, I will be sorry to see you go.  Things will not be safe here I feel.  I feel I may have ended up here for a purpose.  What are the odds that the town I stopped running is the one that my former order has begun some kind of operation?  A bad coincidence or design providence.  Maybe I am here for a reason.  Maybe we all are."

"The Long Death is here.  Or whatever they are now.  They will not leave easy."

"Well if those red cloaks are hanging around then so am I, thanks to them things around here seem to have been thrown out of balance. The old couple from the woods deserves justice and, as far as I can tell, those red cloaks are the one that should be on the receiving end of it. Once that is done the nature's balance should return. So my friends, to which establishment are we retiring to?"

Ann

The knight remains serious over Vedui's answer, though she does seem hesitant to speak once she has the chance to. "You need to understand. A knight has her duties. Not finishing the task I was in charge of doing would be disrespectful to my family's name. Despite that, I care for the people of this city, even if I don't know them. For that reason, coming back to Amphail is my next objective. And that'll have to wait until after I return to Waterdeep with my charge." Ann specifically avoids calling Rowan by name, remembering the tiefling's request of secrecy.

"I hope the group of you can elaborate a good plan along with Sir Henry. Reunite where you want to go. I, her, and Quinry as well, we three are going to the tailor right now. See you all soon." And until any further objections are made, Ann plans to leave, passing by Rowan to have her follow behind her.

Quote from Pertuie >>

She takes note of who's around and immediately turns towards Sir Henry with a bow. "My apologies." Then to Rowan, and another bow. "And to you as well."

 Sir Henry will let out an snort at your apology, and reply "At least you managed to get a few good blows in, which is more than my lead-legged lot can say! We'd do well to have a few more swift young blades like yourself!"

Quote from ArtymisMoon >>

"Unfortunately not everyone seems to think so," Rowan replies quietly to Father Albrite as they set off..

 Father Albrite looks at you and senses your frustration, and responds. "People are often afraid of what they don't understand. However, knowing that does not make their fear or disdain any less painful."

”Apologies for being ignorant in these matters but what if your charge decides that she wants stay here with the group?”