Back at the Goldentide town house Aubrey wakes Zemo and together they assist Malia with cleaning up, get something hot to eat and drink and assuring her that word will be sent to her family in the morning, before tucking her in in the master bedroom. Zemo prepares a sofa for Aubrey to sleep in downstairs before they all go to a well-deserved sleep.

Rohuzar and the legion 

Rohuzar:

Aubrey:

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

Rohuzar:

Legatus Isme Fazin is responsible for the 3rd Cohort in the 2nd Imperial Legion, in charge of roughly 400 soldiers.  You know that most evenings she has a drink or two at the Hill Two Taphouse but at this hour - well past midnight - she is almost certainly back at her residence.  She maintains a room in a gated community in Steeltown, along with many other legati and centurions.  Rohuzar would be confident he could talk his way past the legionnaires at the gate to pay her a visit.  Assuming that's who you want to see... what will you tell her?

 

 “Sorry to vake you, but is important. I am doing job, investigating for noble in the river then person is dumped in river. Has marking on her forehead, and chained to heavy block to drown. Ve get her free, but there vere quite a few other blocks down there. Ve also found river hydra. May be linked. Thought you might come talk to her before vord gets out. Too much coincidence for missing people.” Rohuzar shifts a bit uncomfortably from foot to foot, unsure how she’ll take all this.

Grugga makes sure the corpse won't float away again before walking up to Shaemus, "Well, Shaemus, that's what you kept seeing in the water. No wonder there was always more than one. Leelan says it was just a baby, so that means there might be more and there must be a bigger one, so keep  your eyes peeled and stay safe. How often do people come down under these docks? We're going to need to keep the corpse here until morning, I think, is there a good place or way to hide it?"

Leelan sits and begins writing down the details that he observed earlier on paper. He records the approximate size and weight of the specimen and sketches some basic anatomical structures such as the webbed claw. 

While he’s doing that he realizes that leaving the corpse here might pose an issue, which he raises to Grugga. 

"Pardon me, Grugga. I realize now that leaving this carcass here might be problematic. While the corpse is still fresh, it might not be in a few hours when we try to present it to Lady Shelley. I’m afraid the smell of rotting flesh from the early stages of decomposition might attract carrion feeder, or worse, unwanted attention. Is there something we can do before leaving?"

Rohuzar:

 Grugga, Shaemus advises no one else comes down here at night, and only a handful of fisherman work it during the day either.  If you come back near dawn its unlikely anyone will disturb it.  After that, all bets are off.  At Leelan's comment, he suggests you could field dress it... that would at least get rid of the smelliest bits once it starts to get ripe.  Burying it on the beach might keep it cool and keep away scavengers and onlookers... but looking over the size of the beast it might take hours to bury properly... by then it will be dawn anyway.  He yawns and suggests he'd be happy to -hic- happy to help you but he's not an idea guy.

Rohuzar 

"Leelan, she was looking for proof, not a preserved specimen, so I don't think Lady Shelley will much care if there are some fly eggs in the corpse. That being said, I'm also interested in a bit of learning; if you want I can set up a few lights around the specimen and we can stay up tonight dissecting. The rest can get some sleep and we'll all head to Shelley in the morning."

Aubrey

Guilim will wait by the corpse of the hydra in order to guard it so that no one will come along to mess with it. As the fisherman suggests that they should field dress it he looks over at the corpse and raises a brow. "I know how to dress a few animals but have no idea what to do with this thing..."

Aubrey can take a long rest and we will pick things up with him in the morning.

Rohuzar has alerted the legion to the happenings tonight.  What does he do next?

The crew guarding the hydra... are you staying there the remainder of the night?  Are you doing anything to the corpse?   Keep in mind you all woke up early to interrogate Shaemus, had drinks with dinner, poled around the lake half the night, saved a girl, fought a hydra, dragged it back to the beach, and we are coming up on 24 hours.  On top of those who are injured, you'd be feeling the drag of a long day and CON rolls to avoid a point of exhaustion aren't too far away on the horizon.

Leelan looks torn. On one hand, he would like to learn more about this creature. It could help reveal important details about the curious event of the night. On the other hand, the day has taken its toll on the gnome and he is feeling tired and sore. 

"A most gracious offer, my friend. Alas, I’m not feeling well enough to undertake a more elaborate examination. And it’s seems like we have another long day ahead of us tomorrow. It would be wiser to head back and rest. If we come back here early, we could perform a more thorough investigation, assuming there is still something left to study. What do you think?"

Grugga stifles a yawn with the back of his hand, "Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea. Shall we all go back to the manor and get some sleep. Looks like it's gonna be a bit of an early day again.. What do you say, Guilim? Eskil?"

Rohuzar goes to find the judex Izme talked about 

Guilim nods as he considers sleeping there to guard the creature before moving to follow after the other two. "Let us return in the morning. It should be to heavy for anyone to carry off."

Aubrey rests peacefully on a sofa in his great hall, slightly cramped but nonetheless cradled by goosefeather cushions and dreams of his valiant and heroic victories this day.

***

Rohuzar visits several city watch posts looking for Judex Caius Spezza.  He eventually is informed that Judex Spezza was already provided with the letter from Isme and he has left for the Robust Hound to meet with you and your group.  With that knowledge in hand, assuming that Rohuzar will head back there as well.

***

After guarding the corpse of the beast for a time, Guilim, Grugga, Leelan and Eskil decide to retire for the evening.  Shaemus says he will keep an eye on it for you until he gets tired or passes out.  Arriving back in the market square at the Robust Hound, it is sometime in the dark hours between midnight and dawn.  There is still some slight activity on the square as a few merchants are arguing by torchlight over where their stalls shall be placed come morning.  The tavern itself is quiet, with the exterior chairs and tables all folded and leaning up against the wall.

Inside, only a couple of patrons remain at the bar; two men, who both turn to look at you as the door opens, their eyes bleary but curious.  Nevers is still tending bar, and he makes eye contact with each of you as  you walk in.  You each hear his voice in your minds, Don't know what this is about.  They came here looking for you.  Then he shrugs his shoulders and goes back to cleaning glasses behind the bar.

The they Nevers was referring to is readily apparent.  Seated at a table near the wall are two figures in Imperial Legion gear.  One bears the silver sash of a Judex, the elite investigators and peacekeepers of the legion.  His dark hood is raised and he wears a black kerchief pulled up over his mouth and nose.  His hair is black and his eyes are an icy blue, almost grey.  By the shape of his face and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, you'd take him for a human man of 40 years. 

Guilim:

Next to him at the table is another human man, similarly hooded and masked, though younger, and wearing the gold sash of a Scourge, bodyguards and assistants to the Judexi.  On the table in front of him is a locked wooden box lying on a purple folded scarf.  Also on the table is a red covered notebook or journal and a quill with an elaborate carved handle.

A third man stands near their table, leaning against a wall.  He too wears a silver sash of a Judex, but his hood is down and he makes no effort to hide his face.  He is human, perhaps 25 years old, with a neatly trimmed beard and short dark hair.  A coy smile plays across his face as you all enter the tavern.

As you take in the scene, the Scourge rises from his seat.  "Grugga of Raven's Hill.  We require a word with you."  He motions toward the door to the kitchens.  The Judex at his table remains seated and silent, eyes fixed on Grugga, seemingly awaiting your response.  As the man speaks, the red book and quill spring to life, the book opens and hangs in the air, and the quill begins passing over the pages, making a light scratching sound as it writes.

By the magic of DMTDaA [dungeon master timeline dilation and allignment] Rohuzar enters the tavern behind the others at this moment.  The Judex leaning against the wall stands upright at this time and walks casually toward the group.  "Rohuzar, if I'm not mistaken?  I am Judex Caius Spezza.  Legatus Fazin sent me your report.  Why don't we all sit down and you tell me about your adventure tonight.  Then once the sun is good and high we can go visit the little lady you rescued and I can take her statement as well."

Grugga, suddenly feeling very naked wearing only his trousers, takes in the scene. With his arms crossed over his chest, he chews on his lip for a second, then sucks on his teeth, and with a slight nod says, "Of course, I'd be happy to." He begins heading toward the open kitchen door, stealing a half-worried glance at Nevers, when Rohuzar walks in. Not knowing if he's going with the Scourge or staying with the group now, Grugga balks and looks wordlessly to the Scourge for guidance.

Grugga, the little floating notepad and quill records your response and then circles you, scribbling quietly.  When you consent to join them, the Judex rises from his seat and walks into the kitchen without a word.  The Scourge carefully gathers the wooden box, touching it only with the purple scarf, and follows you into the kitchen.

Grugga: