Ryndar nods almost imperceptibly towards Helena. "I've been tasked with your protection, and will not abandon my charge until you arrive safely at your destination, wherever that may be. I go where you go."

Sphyboe sincerely listens to the details of the business offering, when she silently gauges the situation. If the party members accept the task, they have to move towards the Northern area to reach the trading post in Triboar. The news of the death of the late Lady of Nightstone, Velrosa Nandar must be delivered to the Nandar Representatives of Waterdeep. Besides, she has to report to the Harpers Headquarter about the confrontation with the Zhentarim Agents and the alliance with the Goblins.

"Morak, do they have a map of the locations that you mentioned earlier in the Lionshield Coster here? I might have to take the route to Waterdeep first, then take an alternative route to Triboar."

“I’m in!” Says Bramble.

He turns to Sphyboe, “Waterdeep is on our way along the road. While there we can secure supplies and hopefully faster modes of transportation than our legs can carry us. I have a pearl that can be exchanged to help offset the costs.”

"I have no where else to go for the time being so it is better then aimless wandering. But be warned I will not be returning to anything but the utmost surface levels of the Underdark." Daerthe said calmly as she went over what she knew in her head, not sure if something that happened a decade ago would still be worthwhile information. 

Sphyboe observes the delighted expression of Bramble when he shares his plan with her. She decides to agree with him by flashing an amiable smile,

"We will see if it's possible to secure such kind of transportation. Are you willing to afford a steed? Maybe, all of you can afford something nice when we reach Waterdeep except me, I will need to execute some official duties."

"I've never been to Triboar before," Essie muses. She picks at another roll of bread in her hands and hums lightly. "It sounds like it could be fun. Though with a sort of ominous ending, what with telling someone her husband's died. Well, ex-husband. Does that make a difference to people?" She looks to Helena for an answer, having decided she's most likely to know. She seems to be rather intelligent, after all.

"I would guess that being separated has little to do with how this woman will feel." Helena says with a sigh. "I do not know them personally though, so cannot say if this woman would truly be upset, she may be quite happy her x-husband is now deceased. without knowing more of their history that is a question I cannot really answer."

Quote from InkedBee >>

Sphyboe observes the delighted expression of Bramble when he shares his plan with her. She decides to agree with him by flashing an amiable smile,

"We will see if it's possible to secure such kind of transportation. Are you willing to afford a steed? Maybe, all of you can afford something nice when we reach Waterdeep except me, I will need to execute some official duties."

 Bramble grins and replies, “I don’t have much, in the way of wealth, but I imagine …” he says while looking towards the others “… that between all of us, we can pool our resources and get us all to our destination.”

(I’m sorry to admit that I might not have been the best at inventory control and if someone can correct me, I’d be much obliged. The only things Bramble has added “officially” to his inventory are: 2 healer’s kits, 1 herbalism kit, a piece of chalk, a signal whistle, and one lustrous pearl worth 100 gp. I don’t show any coin. I hope everybody else has been doing a better job of keeping track than I have so far.)

"Don't worry about it, Sir Mossbottom. I am capable of sponsoring a large group of adventurers by expending golds and platinum pieces from my imaginary treasure chest."

Sphyboe attempts to make a crude joke regarding her lack of material resources, when she expresses her concern regarding the woman in Triboar:

"I fear that she'll not believe the words of a group of strangers without any physical or visible proof. She might even accuse us of performing trickery if we fail to show any valid evidence."

Bramble turns to Morak, “Does Alaestra or the Lionshield company know you by name or by seal? Perhaps you could fashion a couple of sealed letters that we could deliver to them?”

Returning to Sphyboe, “I am fairly familiar with the journey up the Long Road, though it has been several years since I’ve been as far North as Triboar. My recollection is that Yartar is a walk or two East of Triboar along the Evermoor. We can save space and money by ignoring food as I can provide sustenance for up to ten daily. As long as everyone doesn’t get tired of goodberry. And there are numerous streams and springs that flow to the Dessarin along the way where I am confident we can secure potable water for at least six of us daily.”

Morak watches you all closely for your response, and as it becomes clear that you are willing to go to Triboar, he smiles broadly. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help with this matter. And yes, I believe it will take you about two days to return to Waterdeep and then a good 10 to 12 days to Triboar on foot. There are several interesting towns along the way, though: Rassalantar is a quiet town and they say the Sleeping Dragon Inn is very comfortable. Amphail is famous for their horse breeding and nearby noble estates. The Allfaiths Shrine is in Red Larch. I could go on and on. But maybe our friend here is right, a map would be helpful.” He stomps up the stairs.

Sphyboe takes note of the directions commenced by Bramble and Morak, but she's still unconvinced of the favorable consequence of the task. It could have been beneficial if she had met anyone who was familiar with Alaestra, before meeting her in person.

"I'm not much familiar with the northern regions since I hail from the coastal region of Faerun. And don't worry about the food and water supply, Bramble. I think we can somehow manage to find out something on the way. We had better hurry up and be done with the responsibility."

After a few minutes, Morak returns to the table. He hands over a map that shows Nightstone, the roads to Waterdeep and on to Triboar, and a few other nearby communities. He also has a couple pieces of parchment. “In thinking about the map, I realized that I didn’t answer your concern, Sphyboe, about having some kind of proof for Alaestra and the Lionshield company. I have here two letters explaining the events that led to Darthag’s death. You may give one to Alaestra. She may want to deliver the second to the main trading post in Yartar or perhaps will ask you all to do so, if you are willing. As Bramble mentioned, it is a couple of days' journey to Yartar from Triboar.” He shows you both letters, so you will know what the message is. Then he takes some sealing wax and seals them both.

It happens that Alara has been at a nearby table during this conversation. At this point, she jumps in. “Sphyboe, you mentioned that you wish to notify the Nandar family in Waterdeep of the events here and Lady Nandar’s passing. If I have understood that correctly, we appreciate not having to send any guards with that message. We prefer to stay here and defend the village. Would you like a letter from me as well? It seems as though documentation will help, given that the story is so strange. The Nandars may have a hard time believing it.”

Sphyboe will agree to take an official letter from Alara confirming the death of Lady Nandar, and she will thank her for saving the group from unnecessary trouble. She will also accept the map and letters from Morak, vowing to execute the duty with the help of her teammates.

As Alara writes out a letter for you, Morak asks, “You are welcome to rest as long as you like and leave whenever you are ready. But are there any supplies or equipment you need? Again, we don’t have much, but we want you to be prepared. I could put together some sausages, cheese, fruit, that sort of thing. And a small barrel of ale. The trading post is a mess and we can’t give away all the inventory, but if there is an item or two you need, I think that would be fair. Especially with all you’ve done and agreed to do for us and the Lionshield company.”

The half-elf Sorcerer will draw her eyebrows together to express a frown, then she raises one of the eyebrows and interrogates Morak:

"Why do you want us to be prepared for a seemingly harmless journey? Do we have to prove our capabilities, again? What is it, Morak?"

Persuasion 8

Morak is clearly taken aback by Sphyboe’s rather aggressive questions. “I...I don’t question your abilities at all! You are clearly the heroes of the day and saved us from the goblins when we couldn’t save ourselves. In my experience, the world is a dangerous place. I don’t know of anywhere you can travel without preparing for possible threats. You see what happened to us in our own homes - attacked without provocation by giants throwing boulders from the sky!” He points to the hole in the ceiling of the dining room.

“But I don’t think we can even offer you anything against the perils of the road. I just wanted you to have whatever food and simple equipment you might need. We haven’t been able to give you any kind of reward for your actions on behalf of our community. Some food and drink seems like a poor thanks. I am merely trying to be hospitable. If you don’t want anything, just say so.” He stands up and starts to move back toward the kitchen.

Sphyboe seems embarrassed when she fails to suppress the urge to suspect Morak of trying to hide information from the party. She can take the risk of facing dangerous situation all by herself. But she possibly will not be able to forgive herself if the party members encounter trouble and something happens that can not be fixed. She averts her gaze from the Druid, and flashes everyone an expression that innately exposes a message 'Help?'.

Ryndar places a hand on Sphyboe's shoulder. "I think you may be looking too closely into a kind gesture. We have helped these people greatly and Morak is simply trying to repay our kindness in what way he can. The road north is not particularly treacherous, nor do I think a handful of dried meats will help us defeat another ogre."

"Please only give what you can afort." Helena informs the dwarf with a smile. "We have had a trying time of it, as you doubtlessly know, so you'll have to forgive some concern by my companion." She would then glance towards the door. "I for one wouldn't mind getting going sooner than later, as the day is passing..."