Blackbur and his patrol do not need to venture far from the Mouse Guard compound, before they spy Dixie coming toward them, with a beautiful mouse in a fur cloak on her arm. More worrying are the six goldcloaks accompanying them, paws upon hilts, but for the two with crossbows at the ready. The doe speaks, in a voice that is both commanding, but also strangely pleasing to the ear.

"Good morrow to you. I trust you slept well, following such a perilous assignment? Or are you still babysitting, while the Healer tends to your Captain?" The otherwise pleasant voice drips contempt, at the last bit.

Blackbur stops and hesitates for a moment. “Dixie, are you alright?” 

Blackbur gives a cautioning look to Whiskers, Hurdrak, and Mistral, even putting himself between the goldcloaks and them. “We are quite tired. We ought to rest so we are ready for the next moment the Guard requires our services... that could come at any moment.”

Awakened refreshed, and ready to face the day, Sirithal unlocks his door and leaves his chambers, his robes seeming to steam slightly in the cooler air of the corridor. Seeing a number of youngsters scurrying past in an excited hurry, he grabs one to find out what’s happening. ‘They’re what?!’ he scowls, releasing the lad and making his way to the main thoroughfare...

Anspec wakes and grabs his lute and sword as he leaves. When he sees the rest of the patrol, he steps toward the front. "Ma'am, what reason do you have for this... disturbance?"

About 15' separates the two parties, as they had stopped upon sighting one another. Just enough distance for the whispered parley the Vidame had in mind.

"Bard. You are known to me. Step forth, that we may confer. A parley, if you will."

"Remain here, for now, Dixie-dear."

Vidame Olivie does not wait, but strides forward herself, stopping halfway.

Anspec steps forward. "What is it you want of us?"

Hurdrak is slightly relieved to see Dixie but her company seemed troubling.  More so when a "parley" was requested.  That term specifically was usually used between hostile groups.  He was ready to pounce but forced himself to remain still.  Still did not mean inactive though.  He slashed the moment to "open" his eyes to the mystical energies about and determine if the other group was preparing something.

Hurdrak has Eldritch site which let's him cast detect magic at will.  He is searching for any signs of Magic on them and then we will toss up an insight check as well 8

Standing behind Blackfur, Mistral will seek the enlightenment he found earlier from within his owlbear hide cloak.

From the very beginning of the conversation, Dixie had a mixed feeling regarding the matter of the doe and the goldcloaks, some kind of uncertainty that she has failed to brush off. She accompanies the party to the entrance of the Mouse Guard compound, the familiar smell of smoke and dynamic vibration of liveliness have partially removed her bewilderment. 

"I'm doing perfectly fine except the fact that I've lost some weight"- she declares while lifting the feathered cape to show empty sheath. The request for a parley surprises her, then a sudden realization hits her. This Vidame Madame is using her as a means for bargaining!

(Insight: 9)

Olivie leans in toward Anspec, conspiratorilly, intimately close, and whispers.

"This is not as simple as it may seem. I am not your friend, but nor must I be your enemy. I have in my possession arrest warrants for both the rabbit and your spider. The former tried to remove the face from a young recruit, of notable family. Charged with duelling and attempted murder. The latter... you might guess."

The Vidame pauses for effect, though Anspec appreciates it for exactly what it is.

"I am offering your patrol the opportunity to elude capture, leave town. My escort here is an elite unit, but ill-eqiuipped to pursue beyond the town's borders. Also, both crossbows are jammed, and will need to be cleared. Consider this my gift to you. I will call the rabbit over, and she may flee with you."  (another pause, close eye contact).

"Else you must surrender them both, for trial. And you know what their cold fate will be, then."

Anspec can guess. As a spinner of tales himself, he has hoped the rumors of sacrifice to Auril are just stories, spun to pass the long, dark winter nights... but perhaps not..? 

"Take these terms to your patrol leader. You have two minutes. I think we both desire a peaceable resolution, here? For the good of the townsmice? Things can get so messy... Go, now. I will beckon your lepus comrade over, in good faith." (She does so, casually draping an arm around Dixie when she arrives).

Hurdrak

Sirithal arrives as the two groups are facing off. His eyes narrow as he sees the tension in the air...

(Can Mistral overhear the whispered conversation between the Vidame and Anspec? Perception: 24... seems he's more perceptive than he is insightful today!)

Sirithal is only able to hear bits and pieces of the conversation, but correctly gauges the dynamic of the scene, as it plays out.

Mistral, however, hears most of it- enough to fill in the gaps. 

"The crossbows are jammed", whispers Mistral urgently in Blackbur's ear. "If we restrain the others and snatch the smooth talking wench, we can escape with Dixie. They won't be half so brave outside the town". Recalling the heated words in the barracks earlier, he refrains from mentioning the offer of escape by handing over their arachnid comrade.

As an afterthought he adds nastily, "Maybe the owl can have its tribute early".

Sirithal steps forward to Blackbur's side. Speaking quietly, he says 'There are layers upon layers at work here. Step carefully - they are well prepared for this. Remember, they knew of the shrikes before we returned.' he thinks for a moment longer 'I'm concerned that we may not be ready for this confrontation... Nonetheless, I will support you whatever your decision. If we do not act in concert, I suspect none of us will walk away from this. If it comes to a fight I shall concentrate my powers upon the white witch. I suspect she is... formidable.'

"Vidame Olivie, it's high time you told me about your offer made to my party members. They're deciding on something of grave importance, without one of their comrades?"- Dixie asks meekly, trying to be persuasive.

Persuasion: 18 (rolled with disadvantage)

"Not to fret, love. I am sure your comrades will make the right decision."  Vidame Olivie keeps one arm draped about Dixie in a familiar fashion that could almost be mistaken for affection. 

Hurdrak, who was just standing to the side of Balckbur whispers, "She's moving for a power grab," before he steps forward.

"So I am to be arrested you say?  And I'm to guess my own charges?  This is new, can't say I've ever seen a judicial system where the accused must first guess what they are accused of."  

He straightens himself to a defiant stance and says, "if you are going to lay charges against me then let's here them."

Blackbur listens to the words of the others before turning to Hurdrak. 

“It is times like these I hope you remember when you think about our earlier conversation. Steel yourselves to flee, everyone. Even if we win here, the Guard loses. We will leave and hope the captain can come up with an answer in the meantime.”