The Windhovers' Call

NOTE  of clarification to everyone: 

Blinking his eyes, the rest can see that his eyes turns from complete white to his usual silver color. 

“ I can’t determine what is the Mayor house. But I think I’ve located the local tavern. Let’s go there and ask. Then we can go back to it and arrange rest for our mounts and ourselves.” 

He heads towards that building asking his horse to go there. 

"Sounds good. Let's hope this time we're not too late."

Everyone:  Ansora's only tavern is The Broken Oar; it's small and humble, just like Ansora itself. A handful of people are gathered there on this chilly night. All of them--six to be exact--are seated near a hearty fire. Flagons of ale stand tall on a stout circular, wooden table that has been polished smooth with use and age. As you walk in, you realize that your arrival suddenly shatters the normal routine to which these six men are accustomed. Visitors are uncommon to this rather remote village in the northeastern reaches of Syndaris. 

One of the men stands up quickly and speaks; you assume he's the owner of the place. "Well, by Solinari's wand!" He looks back at his friends with whom he's been sitting, as if he is looking for advice on what to say next. He rubs the side of his face and speaks again. "The Broken Oar welcomes you. May I ask how we can be of help?" He pauses a moment. "A flagon of ale perhaps? Some soup and bread?" You can sense that he is puzzled by the presence of five strangers, a few of whom wield weapons. His eyes focus somewhat suspiciously on any sword, dagger, or bow that he can see. 

“Thank you my good sir. But I am afraid that we are in a hurry right now and cannot delay enjoying the pleasentries of your stablishment. Perhaps later. For now we just need information. Where do we can find, even at this hour, the Mayor?. We have a matter of the utmost importance to treat with her and her alone. “ 

Xellos is immediately suspicious of the man talking. Visitors seem uncommon, and potentially unwelcome. He remains in the back of the group, cloak covering his head

Is he lying or is anything "off" other than visitors being uncommon?

Insight 21

Xellos: You don't detect anything beyond mild suspicion and, possibly, a bit of concern about what your and your friends' appearance might mean.

Everyone: In response to Frandal's comments, the man says, "Ah, the mayor. You wish to see D'Oda?"  (Why he refers to her as ''D'Oda" is unclear to you). He pauses, seemingly uncertain about what he should say next. 

A different voice breaks the silence. "From the looks of you, I wager you're not looking for a small-town mayor; you're looking for a wizard. Right?  Oda Waywocket, Windhover and Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris. That's who you're looking for, isn't it?" says one of the other men who is sitting near the fire. "Not much else would bring a man to visit Ansora."

"You have guessed correctly. We wish to meet her, sooner rather than later."

"I will take you to her, strangers," says the second man. He moves toward his cloak which is draped over the back of a nearby chair and prepares to put it on to guard himself against the cold outside. He looks at his companions and says, "Keep the fire going and hands off my ale while I'm gone!" He approaches all of you, smiles a bit, and introduces himself. "My name's Kohl. D'Oda's place is a short walk from here."

He leads you eastward along the main road through town until you leave the village behind. He then motions to a narrow path that slopes downward into the woods. "This way," he says. "Just a bit farther."

Frandal and Ozum:

Frandak sends the eagle forward

“We thank you Kohl please return to the tavern now, we took you apart fron the fire and the ale too much time” he then darts forward the path

Xellos is still not entirely sure if he should be trusting this guy who we just met, leading us into woods outside of town.

Xellos: You don't detect anything in Kohl's words or actions to suggest that he's misleading you in anyway. 

Ozum crouches a bit, peering very close to the ground. "These are some peculiar tracks Kohl. Do you happen to know what would have left 'em?"

Ozum tries to discern this information for himself: survival 10

Xellos says, "Tracks eh? Pretty big ones. Any ideas?"

Everyone: Kohl seems genuinely perplexed. Frandal has suddenly darted forward and told him to return to the tavern, and Ozum has pointed out the strange markings in the ground. Kohl turns his head to the left and to the right,  looking at the ground on either side of him; he then looks down the path that leads into the woods. "I've no clue what's going on here. D'Oda often travels on a donkey, but these tracks are far too large. I'm happy to return to the Broken Oar; maybe all of us should do so."

Ozum:

"we need to hurry", Kurt says as he loosens his swords in their sheaths.

Kohl emphasizes his wish to return to the tavern. "It seems you're more than ready to move ahead, and I can't see that I'll be much help, being swordless and all...I'll be making my way back to the Broken Oar now. If you need any further help, you're welcome to stop by again." He begins to walk away slowly, leaving the five of you to continue on your own. The strange hoof prints and the likelihood that weapons may be needed in the near future seem to have made Kohl uneasy. 

Frandal doesn't listen to the last two sentences of Kohl, beign heading ahead the track. As he goes, with Celebquesse flying in front of him, he just open his hand, and the bow dissapears from the saddle where it was beign carried and appears in his hand.

Frandal:

 Everyone else: Do you follow Frandal's lead and head down the path? Do you address Kohl in any way before he departs?

"Thank you, Kohl. We shall not keep you any longer." 

Arissa follows Frandal.