(The best you could surmise was that the ship’s crew had no interest in going near Abbey Isle, likely because it had nothing to interest them but perhaps there was a hint of fear in the collective gaze as well.)

In the Broken Ore:

Ula is relatively vague about why she’s back so soon from her adventuring, referring to the reasons  as “There was a little trouble on the ship.”

But something in the way Ula says it has both her parents looking at her intently. “Ula Stonecrest, you know we don’t keep secrets in this family. Tell us.”

While Ula does tell them, once Emma is sure Ula is okay, she turns her attention back to Avaria and Jan, happy now to have the newcomers all to herself. She flexes her biceps a couple of times for Avaria. While, Avaria may have been joking about Emma’s strength, it may not be long before she is at least as strong as Ula. Avaria also notices that both parents are no slouches either.

“Well Jooge said my teeth are all good and he doesn’t need to see me for awhile but he said I should still come and get my haircut soon,” Emma begins to answer Jan’s question “Oh and there’s a carnival coming. I saw them setting up tents earlier today. That will be fun. But otherwise this town has been so boring. No good conversations to listen to in the main room here at all.”

When Jan has a chance to hear from Ula’s parents, she doesn’t get much more from them either. But the mom, Maisie looks carefully at Jan. “What are you really asking about?”

Ula smiles and nods to Jan, “Mum doesn’t miss anything, ever.”

On the Zanthe’s Wish:

Adelysia stares daggers at both Ethel and Marrin. She looks them both up and down and just shakes her head.

“You dare question me in that tone,” Adelysia says. “It’s no business of yours. But ask anyone about Adelysia Demai and they’ll all say I’m the finest dealer in rare and exotic goods anywhere on the Sea of Fallen Stars. If it will end this questioning, I’ll tell you. I was going on a purchasing and acquisition tour of the northern kingdoms.”

Bigge seems amused by this conversation when he overhears parts of it as he makes sure the sails are furled and the anchor is secure.

After the talk with Adelysia peters off, Geffroi comes back to Ethel. “But how do we know if Godrick had one of the original two copies, or one of the poor quality later reproductions?”

Jan takes a deep breath, and spares a glance at Emma but if Ula isn't worried about her younger sister hearing it, it's not her place, and lays it all out bluntly in a rare display of forthright honesty. Something about Ula and her family dynamic relaxes her innate cageyness. 

"I am a bounty hunter, and contracted with Guard Captain Mard to capture Godrick Hargrove and bring him to justice as a pirate and slaver. Turns out he was just the tip of a whole slaver pirate empire... I mean to make contact with Mard, but wanted know if there's been any political upheaval since we've been away, before I march into his office and give him a stern talking to for sending me off with a tenth of the information I needed to see the contract through. Our ship is waiting off shore to make sure it's good to come in, as in our escape, we killed the Captain, First Mate and another of his crew, and have two others prisoner. Either we turn them over to Mard, or we turn them over to the sea. If the Hargroves have tendrils in the mayor or the guard, I wanted to get a sense of what we might be walking in to. Godrick got away, along with his parents, though we don't think they sought port here after they fled their island."

Ethlehyn puts up a hand in gentle protest.  "Adelysia, I meant to imply nothing.  During our time in captivity I had more pressing concerns and couldn't ask after your merchant business.  I only ask now out of curiosity.  And now that curiosity is stroked again.  What sort of rare and exotic goods?"

Ethel is not asking out of curiosity.  She is suspicious of this woman's business at Zhentil Keep and wants to see if she is a real merchant or just playing a role.

Ethel shrugs.  "I didn't get my hands on the copy, and I've never seen an original to tell the difference.  He certainly thinks its real.  Hammerdasher thinks his family had the real 2nd copy.  And Godrick may be working with the woman who stole it from Hammerdasher.  It could be."

Marrin continues to follow along with Ethel's questioning,

"And how were you planning on paying for these rare and exotic goods?"

In the Broken Ore:

Emma’s eyes goes wide as Jan reveals she’s a bounty hunter. She looks over at Ula, beaming, overawed that her big sister knows such cool people.

Maisie and Olek Stonecast on the other hand appear to be all business.

Olek shakes his head, “There hasn’t been anything unusual going on. Klein is still the same pompous ass he was when you left. He takes the ‘Lord High’ part of his title a little too seriously but no more than usual. Haven’t heard anything around here either.”

He looks like he will continue on, when Maisie buts in.

“You better get going to the temple, UIa,” Maisie says to her daughter. “You’re right, having some of them on the docks when your ship comes in is prudent.”

She then turns to her husband, “And you should get Kester and Ingo and we’ll all come down to the dock too.”

Maisie then hugs Ula, reaches over and pats Jan on the arm then Avaria on hers.

“Doesn’t hurt to over prepare.”

Ula drops off most of her gear, but keeps her armour and weapons with her then heads out of the inn to make a visit to her temple. Olek Stonecast gives his wife a kiss, then leaves shortly after.

Maisie looks at the door her eldest and husband have just left through for a few moments, a hint of a dark shadow settling across her features.

She then nods, and turns back to look at the few patrons in the main room and takes Emma by the hand. “Well, we’ve still work to do. Can you find your way to see Mard?” she asks Jan and Avaria.

On the Xanthe’s Wish:

Adelysia looks at Ethel and Marrin or a moment, measuring them up.

“I highly doubt you’d appreciate or be able to afford anything I trade in,” Adelysia says. “But if it will end this tedious questioning, I was on my way to take over a consignment of goods. A collection of multi-coloured hummingbird feathers, quills plucked from sleeping herons, several vials of umber hulk blood, and some crushed and powdered diamonds from Ten Towns.”

She turns and leaves without saying more.

Geffroi doesn’t have much more to add about the book, other than to say to Ethel “There are supposed to be several prophecies in the originals that are incomplete in the copies.”

Avaria nods to Maisie and gives a wink to Emma, taking a liking to the girl, "Sure, I'm sure Jan knows the way, but did you need any help here before we set off?  Something seems to be on your mind.  I mean, I know we did just drop a lot on you and your husband, and for that I am sorry."  as she is realizing this, she looks down feeling that everywhere they go trouble follows them.

Maisie stops and looks at Avaria and smiles up into her face. She takes Avaria's hand and gives it a squeeze.

"You run along. Just a few old codgers to be encouraged on their way home," Maisie says. "I don't think you're going to find any trouble but keep your eyes open."

She turns and moves off to the few patrons still there.

Emma follows Jan and Avaria to the door.

"So how's your ship going to know when to come in?"

Ethel smiles.  "Thank you for indulging our curiosity.  We should be in port in just a few hours," she says as Adelysia departs.

Ethel carefully considers the woman's words.

Insight, to get the impression whether she was legitimately irritated by their questions, or if she was playing that up to hide deception or fear:  4

History, to fall back on her time working as a trader with her husband... is powdered diamond a commodity exported from the Ten Towns?:  17

"Yes, I can make my way to Mard. Ava, you can come with me if you wish, or I can make contact with him alone first."

"We're to give a triple flash of light from the uppermost floor here, Bigge is keeping watch for the signal that all is clear to head in."

Avaria gives Maisie a warm grin and nods.

To Jan, "I'd like to come with you, to help keep an eye out... unless that will make things for difficult for you with Mard?"

Then to Emma, "But first we're making sure it is alright for them to dock.  Mister Bigge is the one driving the ship."

On the Xanthe's Wish:

Ethel finds Adelysia so infuriatingly condescending and snobby that she has trouble determining if the woman is being deceitful or merely an a$^hole. 

Ethel recalls from a trade journal she once read that the Ten Towns were originally settled in an effort to mine gold and diamonds, not to mention the trade in ivory, whale oil, and furs. She doesn't remember anything about diamond dust, but she's sure some entrepreneur would take to powdering the less valuable ones if there was a market for the product. While the people of the Ten Towns are incredibly independent minded they are also pragmatic and resourceful. Either Adelysia knows this as well, or she could be telling the truth.

In Spandeliyon:

With Emma assuring Jan and Avaria that'll she make sure the windows are clean and cleared of debris for when they need them, the pair head out from the Broken Ore and across the street and down a slight hill to the port proper. From what Jan can remember, the guard barracks and jail are dead center along the main part of the port.

Darkness has grown while they were in the Broken Ore, but in the meantime, a lamplighter has come through this part of town and lit the hanging oil lanterns that act as street lights, given off more than enough light to see. The few buildings they pass along the way are all well maintained, with many having warm light spilling out on to the street and the sounds of conversation and laughter following.

Jan leads Avaria straight to the guard barracks. The two storey, sturdy timber and stone building has a commanding view of the port but also quick access to streets leading into the heart of town.

A single guard stands in the doorway, her armour is dented but clean, and the blade on her glaive glints in the lamp light. She brushes a few strands of red hair from her face when she notices Jan and Avaria coming straight to the doorway.

"Oi, what do you two want?" she asks. "Regular visiting hours ain't now, they're over."

---------------------------------------------------------

Rough Map of Spandeliyon:

"Captain Mard available?", Jan asks politely to start.

On the walk to the guard barracks, Avaria asks Jan, "So when do we let the others know it is ok to dock?  I'm not sure what we are looking for?  I mean, there hasn't been any hostility and Ula's family has said it has been very quiet since Ula left."

When they arrive, Ava let's Jan take the lead.  Finding it a bit odd that there is only one guard, she looks around for anyone in the shadows.

Perception  18

"Yeah, it might be fine, but I'd rather all this wasn't necessary than not do it and wish we had been a bit more careful. Will have a better sense once I talk to Mard."

As Adelysia walks away, Ethel points a finger at Marrin.  She can see Ethel's lips moving in a whisper, but she hears her speak as though she is talking clearly right into her ear.

Message: "Her story checks out.  I think she's no more than she claims to be."

Marrin blinks at Ethel and raises an eyebrow,

"Great to know."

She takes on an amused tone,

"We could also have just whispered behind her back. Or just talked about her at normal volume like we've been doing. It might have been less eye catching than that"

She imitates the pointing and mouthing words back at Ethel,

"Honestly you must've looked crazy to anyone watching."

She smiles at Ethel and finishes with,

"Good trick to have though."

Spandeliyon Guard Barracks:

Avaria doesn’t notice anything unusual or anything that alarms her. The guard looks at Jan and Avaria for a moment, then shrugs.

“He’s inside,” she says. “Whether he’s going to talk to you or not, who knows. Leave your weapons at the check.”

When Avaria and Jan enter, they find themselves in a short entry way. A barred door blocks the way forward. On the other side of the doors you see a room with another guard at a desk and a couple of unoccupied chairs. Two doorways flank either side of the desk.

To the pairs left, in the entry hallway, is an open window, with a crudely painted ‘Weapons Check” sign hanging above.

The guard at the desk looks up. “What do you want?”

Assuming Jan again says she’d like to speak to Mard, the guard grumbles, gets up, goes through an unseen doorway, and appears in the window of the Weapons Check.

“Hurry up, hand them over. I don’t have all night.”

Unless either resist, they receive a numbered token in exchange for the weapons. (Number 1, as it doesn’t appear anyone else is here).

And they’re let into the main reception room.

The guard disappears and returns in a moment with a blonde, burly, human, that Jan recognizes immediately as Mard Dantakain, the captain of the Spandeliyon guard.

His eyes widen a little when he sees Jan, then narrow, maybe in confusion, maybe not.

“You’re back?” Mard says, then looks at Avaria. “That’s not Godrick Hargrove.”

Xanthe’s Wish:

The ship bobs in the waves and the stars and moon provide enough light to keep watch on the water around. There’s no sign of trouble.

Geffroi and Hammerdasher stand near the railing, looking towards Spandeliyon talking in hushed tones. From their body language and tone, it would look like Geffroi is asking question after question and Hammerdasher is getting irritated at them all, but still appears to give answers.

Jan hands over her multiple daggers with a shrug. She'd likely been through this before when meeting with Mard, and gestures for Ava to comply if she seems hesitant.

"Indeed it is not.", she replies brusquely.

"Though the Godrick Hargrove I thought I was going after turned out not to be the Godrick Hargrove I found. The Godrick Hargrove I was intending to bring in was simply a young man with possible connections to piracy in these waters, the Godrick I found is a necromancer and heir apparent to the Hargrove Family Resort, where I spent time as a prisoner and gladiatorial entertainment. We," she gestures at Ava, "grew tired of the accommodations there, so burnt down as much as we could as we left with some others, but the Hargroves all made it off the island, so I find myself unable to complete the contract. However, we do have two surviving members of the Rose Marie's crew, the vessel we left here on before the late Captain decided to sell us into Hargrove slavery. I am trying quite hard not to be cross, as I'm certain if you knew any of that in advance, you'd have afforded me a heads up, but I'm hoping there's at least some bounty on the two pirate crew we can claim. And if there are any associates of Godrick that you know of in town, or suspect he may have had dealings with, I'd very much like to have a word with them."

Marrin takes a break from her lute to go rescue the good Hammerdasher, yet again.

"Good evening gentleman and dwarf. How are feeling this evening?"

Spandeliyon Guard Barracks:

Mard furrows his brow a little as Jan speaks. He glances over at the guard who has gone back behind his desk.

"Yeah, Godrick's a tough bastard, but I figured you could handle it," Mard says, his voice lowered so the guard can't hear him. He ponders what else you've said before continuing. "The Hargroves, as far as I know, don't have friends. They have customers. I've never seen any of the others here before, no anyone acting for them."

He paces around a little bit.

"There's a standing reward for pirates. I'm sure we can find you a few coins for the two you have. Where are they now?" Mard asks. "On the ship? Which pier is the ship docked at? I'll grab a couple of guards and come grab them."

On the Xanthe's Wish:

Hammerdasher looks up at Marrin and nods. 

"Careful, this one hear will talk your ear off and explain why he knows more about your family and clan wealth than you do," Hammerdasher says, gesturing at Geffroi. "He's almost got me convinced to let him come with me to question Korda."