Shrek follows along with Olaerys, and laughs when they both point out the fascinating dirt and grass surrounding the area, oblivious to any tracking signs that may be present.

Olaerys points out a hilarious pattern that a beetle made in the ground.  “It looks like a fairy made footprints for some reason. And look at this ant mound!”

Ankita giggles a bit, even in the setting of these graves, watching the two of them play in the dirt.  But she did understand what Olaerys was trying to figure out, so she walks around Shrek and tries herself to see if there are any tracks to read.

Survival  7

Ankita isn't able to determine much. It looks like perhaps the tracks go north east into the Sumber Hills (See map on post 2 I believe).

Surprisingly, the shepherd speaks up. "I know it's none of my business but I heard ya talking about that delegation that went missing. It's been the hot topic in town. I heard they were last seen in Beliard. Probably take you a good day to get there, though you might make it there quicker if you headed over to the river and flagged down a craft."

Shrek mumbles “Shrek no can swim. But river sounds much faster….” to no one in particular. Then clasps his hand over his mouth, embarrassed that he let slip his inside thoughts. 

“To Beliard we go.  Let’s head to the river.  Ankita, would you like to join us?  I think that Shrek and I have gleaned all that I can from the beetles rolling around on the ground.  Let us walk a little farther together, and ride on the river if we can.”

"Sure, this whole thing has got me very intrigued and I'd like to help you get to the bottom of it." she stands up, and is ready to head to the river.  

It takes about 2 hours of relatively easy travel through grassland with rolling, dusty looking hills to the north of you (the Sumber Hills) before you see the river.

Down river, you see little hope of finding a ride; no docks as far as you can see.  Up river, towards Beliard however, is different.

A small castle overlooks the mighty Dessarin River, which is a good half-mile wide at this point. A gatehouse and keep stand atop a low bluff, but the walls are built to the water’s edge. On the river bank, another low tower guards a boat basin where keelboats are moored.

The keep seems old and worn, but new timbers and shingles suggest that repairs are underway. A white banner with a blue gauntlet flies over the keep.

The front gate is closed.

So as to appear to be unassuming and friendly, Shrek will walk up to the front gate of the gatehouse and call out a friendly "Helloooooooo!?!" while smiling and waving, and patiently wait for someone to appear at the gate.

The keep’s main entrance features a two-story gatehouse attached to a round tower. Arrow slits look out onto the ground outside the gate. The gate itself is a double door of thick timbers reinforced by iron bands.

As Shrek approaches, one is the wall sentries notices him and goes inside

Clattering sounds and muffled voices come from inside the gatehouse. Then a human warrior appears at the second-story arrow slit directly over the gate. You can’t see much of him, but he wears a leather jerkin and has a black beard. “Who are you? What do you want?”

Shrek elbows Olaerys and whispers "Master O. talks better words than Shrek..."

The moment Olaerys sees the flag a grin crosses his face.  He holds his hand in his gauntlet up, gathered in a fist.  “Praise be to Helm, it is good to see a friendly face I hope.  My name is Olaerys, I’m a member of the Order, we are here from Red Larch and we have been investigating strange happenings in the area recently, these are my companions.  Might we come in and have a word with you?”

Along the walk, Randall ponders the shepherd's words.  Do passing barges and ships really pull over and stop to pick up armed parties waving them to come to shore?  That seems incredibly unwise, and a great way to get robbed or worse.

Looking up at the walls of the castle, he is nervous until Olaerys speaks up.  Apparently, he recognizes them or their order, so Randall remains in the back and lets him do the talking.

Ankita enjoys the walk by the river, though a little nervous as she doesn’t see any crafts that could take them aboard.  And when they approach they keep, she isn’t sure what will be the next plan, but flood with relief when Olaerys appears to recognize the order.  Curious, she thinks, what is to come of them next?

Olaerys cocks his head to the side and regards the man in the leather jerkin, used to plate mail or chain mail for one of their order, and says “Faith is the most important thing my friend, don’t you agree?  What do you have faith in?”  Silently, he says to himself, Faith in one’s god, faith in your friends, and faith in yourself.  Just say it, please.  

The man in the slit appears to laugh briefly. "Gold. I have faith in gold. And those who help me get more. What bloody 'Order' are you.... oh bloody hell. Another one of 'them'. I told Jolly, many bloody times, to change the bloody flag. Let me guess; You're a bloody Paladin on some bloody do-good crusade? Pshaw. Gold talks friend, not deeds." He pauses for a moment.

"I suppose you and your lot can come in and tell me what you are about, just don't be a bloody nuisance. We've bloody business to be about here so you can't stay long mind you. You'll find all that you could need at Rivergard Keep, as long as you have the coin."

You hear a 'kchunk' from inside and the front gate doors swing open.  2 men and 2 women in reasonable leather armor stand inside waiting for you. A 5th, the man you were talking to, appears and motions you inside.

"Alright, let's bloody come in then."

The gates open to a thirty-foot passage leading east. A portcullis blocks the far end of the passage, but you can see the castle yard on the other side. An arrow slit in the southern wall of the passage provides defenders a way to fire on intruders who get this far.

Shrek follows Olaery’s through the gate, and whispers to Ankita “What so bloody?  Nice man say bloody everything!” while walking in, obviously confused.

Once he folds his upper body to stoop through the gate, he stands back up to this full height, and waves a friendly greeting to the four guards inside. 

Olaerys turns to his companions saying aloud “Well, shall we?”

Quietly, under his breath to his companions he says “Not right, danger!”

He quickly turns back around and says, “Tell me what you are doing here?  Is the Order here?  How are things around here, have you seen anything strange going on?”  

While he is talking and right after he is finished, he is watching the men and women.  (Armed?  Threatening to attack us?)

Ankita nods to Shreks comment and watches these characters closely.  She has an odd feeling about them, and feels it is confirmed when Olaerys warns them.  

She follows her companions in, bending over a bit as shrek did, amused by the fact she now has a friend away from her tribe that has the same issue.  She watches the greeters closely as her new friends converse

 Insight  7

Olaerys' warning snaps Randall into focus.  Why are we venturing inside at all if we suspect danger? he wants to ask, but holds his tongue and follows the others.