Burr shrugged, " Inside or square first? I'm tempted to think everyone has been required to go to the square otherwise we'd see at least some folks trying to fix things or clean up."

The guards handwave at Giles to suggest he keep moving, and most the few peasants on the street won't bring their gaze to meet his. 

The little boy, however, looks up at him and says, with all the morbid wonder a small boy can muster, "They said it was monsters!  A whole bunch of mean monsters!  We're all in danger!"  His parents recoil in horror, snatching the boy up and looking at the guards as if they expect to be horsewhipped for the transgression.  They mutter profuse apologies and race off in the direction of the town center, even as the eyes of all the guards follow them harshly.

As they depart, a few of the guards turn their eyes back to Giles.  "Move along. There's nothing to see here.  This is under control.  Go to the festival, all will be well."  The words are spoken through gritted teeth.  If the guards at the gate seemed tired and on edge, these guards seem like cats in a room full of rocking chairs.  

"I'm not sure if the monsters have left."  Zefla glares at the guards and wonders why the people react the way they do towards them.  What are they all afraid of?  Strahd or the Baron?  Mumbling to her group, "I'm glad we took care of that statue and dreadful tree, but man, I did not expect to come back to such a state.  How did all of this happen overnight?  I hope we can find the Father at the festivities.  And honestly, you couldn't stop me from joining in this.. I am dying to know what the hell they hold that has such a control over this village.  And now we'll finally get eyes on this Baron."

She smiles at the small boys outburst and knows that this wonder and vigor in him is going to be beat out of him soon if he stays in this village.  That thought concerns her more than the burning homes.  She trudges along with the rest towards the festival.

Soren looks on numbly, slack-jawed as if he has been kicked in the face.  He recalls the violent, angry, storm after they had first left Ireena at the cathedral.

We are too late.  This is why Strahd's minions stole the holy protective relic.  So the cathedral would be left undefended against such an attack.

He follows his companions with a dazed look, his voice a whisper.  "I do not think we will see Father Lucien alive or Ireena free ever again."

Soren hopes he is wrong, but he does not think that he is.  And now to see how this heavy-handed Baron of false confidence reacts.

Burr looked to Soren, " We may........but I also think we'll be meeting our Host somewhat soon as well......"

" But that's ok, I have done a good thing here.  So I can die here now."

" Don't blame yourself or us........who knows how many others would have died if that ritual had been completed.  Sometimes there are no good choices."

Shaken by these developments, the party continues east through Vallaki.  They cannot help but notice how quiet the town is around them.  While there are a few tardy townfolk hurrying along toward the festival, the homes and shops they pass are all dark and empty.  

Approaching the town center, they can hear the din of a crowd; it indeed seems as though most of Vallaki has turned out for this.  It is hard to put a number to the crowd gathered here in the square, but it must be hundreds.  

The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers. At the north end of the square stands a row of stocks, locked in which are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads.  Next to the stocks, a platform has been assembled, like a raised stage.  Three guardsmen stand there, flanked by the large man in armor and fur coat you remember from the Baron's front door...  Izek Strazni, he of the demonic-looking deformed right arm.  The guard surround something on the platform... a large shape covered by a tarp.

In the center of the square, peasants in patchwork clamber up the sides of crumbling stone fountain and a statue of a handsome man, trying to get a view over the rest of the crowd.  Throughout the square, voices are hushed and eyes are downcast.  You hear bits and pieces of worried conversation as you walk...

"... The church was attacked.  None of us are safe, now...".

"We've done something to anger the Devil.  The Baron needs to do something...".

"... I heard the guards are lying.  Those monsters are still here in the city... there might be some here right now, hidden in the crowd...".

In your time in Vallaki so far, you've seen a cowed and quiet populace.  Today, there is a manic energy in the crowd.  The people are scared.  Some of that is directed at you.  The crowd parts to let you pass, voices falling hushed as you are marked as outsiders.  You don't need them to speak to know what they must be thinking... did these strangers have something to do with this?  It is a welcome relief when the festival begins.

On the far side of the square, the crowd parts around one of the incoming roads.  Under cool, grey skies, a parade of unhappy children dressed as flowers trudges through the muddy street and into the square, leading the way for a group of sorry-looking men and women carrying a ten-foot-diameter wicker ball. 

Behind the wicker ball, two horses follow, surrounded by guardsmen.  On one horse, a man of medium height smiles and waves to the crowd.  He has long, brown hair, going to grey at the corners, and its style suggests a combover.  He is dressed in fine red garments with golden trim.  It can only be the Baron, Vargas Vallakovich.  Behind his horse, a man in guard's gear is tied up and dragged along... at this slow speed this seems to be more about humiliation than causing injury to him.

On the other horse, a teen boy rides.  He is both taller and thinner than the Baron, though his sullen face has an uncanny resemblance.  He is well dressed, but does not make eye contact with the crowd and looks displeased to be here.

As weary spectators watch from their stoops, from the square, or from windows overlooking the plaza, the ball is borne to the town square. There, it is hoisted and hung from a fifteen-foot-high wooden scaffold, and townsfolk take turns splashing it with oil. Before the wicker sun can be set ablaze, a light rain begins to fall.  “All will be well!” cries the burgomaster.  As if in response, the sudden rainfall intensifies.  It begins to fall so heavy, it obscures the far sides of the square from your view.  The Baron brandishes a sputtering torch and marches defiantly through the rain toward the wicker ball, only to have his torch go out as he thrusts it into the sphere.

"Hah!" a woman's voice cries out from somewhere in the crowd.  Faces look around you, aghast and fearful.  So too does the Baron look about the crowd.  

"I heard that!"  He gathers up his robes about his and makes for the platform, followed by his son and surrounded by guards, who clear a path for him.  "I heard you, Fiona!  Don't you dare sully this happy day with your malevolent, unhappy disposition.  The people of Vallaki will not stand for it!"  He emphasizes the word 'stand' as he reaches the platform and steps up to overlook the crowd.

There is muttering from all around you, with the crowd undecided between laughing at the failed combustion or chastising the interruption.

"What we cannot stand for," an old woman speaks from near the fountain, almost exactly where the Baron had just been standing, "... is attacks against the population of this fair town.  The Church of St. Andral's was attacked!  What are you doing to protect us?"  You can make out her features.  She is a tall, frail woman.  She doesn't look that old, but she leans hard on an ornate cane with a silver handle.

The murmurs intensive as if a match had been struck.  She has given voice to the fears of the assembled crowd.

The Baron raises his arms as if to shush the crowd, gently.  "That was a minor disturbance... a riot caused by malcontents.  It has been addressed and the responsible parties have been apprehended.  There is nothing to fear, my people."  He rises up and extends his arms.  "All will be well!" he shouts.

His words do little to quell the crowd.  Murmuring is now rising into spoken words.  The crowd wants answers.

"That is not what we have heard..." the woman continues, but then steps back a bit. 

The Baron's mood turns in an instant.  "Lady Wachter, I will NOT warn you again.  You would not be the first noble to grace these stocks.  Stop agitating the people!"  As if to impress the point, Izek Strazni casually unfastens the battleaxe from his shoulders and grips it in his twisted, white hand.

Soon, though, others begin to shout from the crowd, emboldened by Lady Wachter and by the anonymity afforded by the venue.

"We heard there were vampires!"

"They say the priest is dead!"

"How did they get inside the walls?"

The crowd, as one, moves closer to the platform.  Slowly backing away into the crowd, Fiona Wachter adds, "The people are afraid, Burgomaster.  How do you explain this?"

The Baron snarls, "I owe you no explanation!  I am the Baron of Vallaki and I have kept this town, safe from the devil, happy and prosperous!  We are an honest, joyous people... but there are those who wish to poison our hearts.  To spread their malicious unhappiness and threaten to doom us all."  He steps back toward the tarp.  "All will be well, but we must not forget that the Devil has agents everywhere.  You ask how last night occurred?  Well, here is your answer... here is the Devil's own mistress, caught red-handed sneaking through the town, no doubt sowing discord and malady in her wake!"

He whips back the tarp, and a gasp goes through the crowd.  The aggressive energy is replaced by shock and fear.  Under the tarp, a devilish form is locked in stocks.  Her long horns and red skin betray her as a tiefling.  She looks only semi-conscious and seems to have taken a beating.  The crowd murmurs again, seeing what surely must be a demonic agent of the Darklord.  

The four of you, however, recognize Madame Tourmaline Bauer, agent of Waterdeep.

"Look!" shouts the Baron.  "Look at was the malignant emotions do to a person!  The twisted brow horns, borne from worry.  The scarlet skin, a sure sign of covetousness.  The yellow eyes... they are the eyes of a craven.  Cast out the sorrow and the fear... the grief and the misery.  Let joy into your hearts instead and leave your worries behind.  We can endure, as we have always endured, for we know that no matter what the day may bring... ALL WILL BE WELL!"

It may not be the most inspirational speech, but seeing an actual devil captured and cowed seems to have satisfied the crowd for now.  It begins to disperse, and any threat of a riot is neutralized.  The Baron and his guards remain on the platform, while his son looks at the tiefling with genuine surprise.

Before the party can react to this revelation, there is a voice behind them.  "Excuse me, friends," says a short man in an ill-tailored suit which reveals his socks and undershirt.  "You are the foreigners who assisted Lady Wachter's sons, are you not?  Please, come see her for dinner when this silliness is all over.  She has urgent need to speak with you.  It concerns a friend of yours who may be in grave danger...".  He passes a long a brief, handwritten note inviting you for supper and introductions, signed by Lady Wachter.

Burr looked to Soren, " We're putting a stop to this right? "

He cracked his neck, " Medium sized town....can't have more than four or five dozen decent combatants...."

" Though that fella with the arm could be trouble....unless one of you three think you can talk them down?"

He watches the note being handed over, " Ireena?", he queries of the messengers.

The man curtsies pitifully.  "I'm afraid I have no idea," he answers Burr.  "I am but a servant."

Soren's voice sounds immeasurably tired, yet he cracks a wan smile at the unintentional (?) irony of the message.

"A friend in grave danger?  Which of us is not in grave danger in this unnatural land beset with abominations and corruption.  We have been fighting for either the land's salvation, or for ours, since the moment we set foot here through the mists, hunted even in our dreams.  If the friend in peril is Ireena, she is in more than grave danger.  She is likely lost.  Or perhaps bait in a trap for us.  And it is not Father Lucien, unless the dead can be in danger."

He turns to place a hand on Burr's shoulder.  "You are right, my friend, we must do something about all this, whether about the attack on the cathedral after the theft of the protective relic, or the likely wrongful captivity and mistreatment of Lady Bauer.  Yet we cannot do it by battling every combatant in Vallaki, regardless of our chances.  These are not corrupted dark druids who befoul the land or rabid axe-wielders who defend them thoughtlessly.  Most of the guard here likely mean well and are no more evil than most, regardless of their baron leader's heavy-handed forced joyousness.  Slaying them all is wrong.  Even speaking up directly may be counter-productive, given the suspicion with which those whose den this is now regard us outsiders."

He thinks for a moment.  "Did you notice the Baron's son?  He seemed not to share his father's sentiments.  More interesting than the Wachter boys..."

Shaking his head and not knowing what to make of it, he turns to all of his companions, including Zefla and Giles.

"What do you think?  Should we accept this offer from Lady Wachter?  Should we take the opportunity to speak with the Baron now?  I think he is too committed to blaming everything on the tiefling to listen to any suggestion that she is not at fault.  But we might find out if the Bones have been recovered.  Or even earn the Baron's trust by informing him about the events at the Wizard of Wines and Yester Hill.  I feel we may be putting ourselves between two rivals in Lady Wachter and the Baron.  Perhaps we should first visit Urwin at the Blue Water Inn to catch up."

This festival was a joke.  Were they all this bad?  Zefla knew that the attack at the church was a big change for the town, but she doubted there was much of a difference in these farces.  As Lady Watcher speaks up, the rogue smiles, this was a lady she would like to know.  Even if her offspring were idiots, can't help everything, especially in a village like this.  

Zefla was shocked at the reveal of Lady Bauer.  Was the Captain around as well or that young squire?  What had happened to all of them, were they the playthings of Strahd as the vinter said he likes to do?

"Do you really think the Father is dead?!  He was so.. young and actually cared.  What a tragic loss."  Zefla surprises herself on the care she actually felt for the man.  She kicks a rock near her, frustration of the entire situation overwhelming.  "Let's go talk with Urwin.  At least I think he'll give it to us straight."

Burr looked concerned, " If we leave Lady Bauer to their mercies she could be dead in the next short while."

His fists gripped around his spear, " I...can't abandon her to this mob....."

Soren looks helplessly at Burr.  "We are all fortunate to have a pack-mate like you Burr who stands up for us despite the risk to your own life.  I saw it when you charged at those rabid axe-wielders on that cursed hill all on your own, even before the ravens arrived, allowing us to slay the dark druids.  But if we are going to free Lady Bauer... do you really mean to go to war with the Baron, his fearsome henchman Izek and the entire town guard?"

He looks to Zefla and Giles to see if they have a better idea, sadly nodding at the halfling when she asks if he thinks Father Lucien has been slain.

"I do not know the ways of city folk.  Could we approach the Baron with a different stance?  Saying perhaps that we can prove Lady Bauer's innocence by finding the real culprits?  Culprits I suspect to be lackeys of the darklord, having with the sacred, protective Bones having been stolen from Saint Andral's cathedral to clear the way for the attack?  Or is there another of Lady Fortune's tricks we can use, not-Father?  Or perhaps Lady Wachter can be an ally?  Certainly we could try to discover more of what actually happened from Urwin as Zefla said, or from... the ravens on his roof."

Giles listens and takes it all in.  He is scheming in his mind and tapping his chin as he watches the poor play meant to try to increase the mood of this dour populace, and the poor outcome of this “Festival of the Sun.”  When Lady Bauer is revealed, he cranes and stretches his neck, the look on his face changes from a smirk to true concern, and he stretches and watches what happens next.  As Soren, Zefla and Burr begin discussing next steps and the stranger hands them the invitation, he listens to the different viewpoints.  To Lady Wachter’s courier, he quickly says “Will we be the only ones at the dinner?  She wants to see us this evening?”  He looks at the handwritten note and then replies back to the man, “We will be there, let her know….”  And nods dismissively at the man, waiting for him to depart before he huddles up with his companions.

”Well, that was interesting.  Burr, I think Soren is in the right here, this is not the time to take on the whole town, we would easily be overpowered and not accomplish our objective.  There would be needless death of people who are being misled here.  I say that we stay here, quiet, for a bit and make sure no immediate harm is about to come to Lady Bauer, then try to get her out later.  Perhaps this evening, if she is to be in the stocks overnight.  A more subtle approach.  We need to hear what Lady Wachter knows, we should go to that dinner tonight.  After everyone has dispersed let’s go to the Blue Water Inn and check in with Urwin, make use of our new ally.  I understand your desire to swing that maul after this display Burr, but this is a time for caution and guile, two things I rather fancy I would say.”  He waits to see if everyone concurs with his thoughts.

Burr looks back and forth between Soren and Giles then nods carefully.

Soren tries to listen closely to Giles, respecting that the... experienced man likely knows more than he of such city matters.

"Not-father, Zefla, do you think we should approach the Baron and overtly suggest that we believe there are different culprits, and that we hope to prove it?  Might that sway him to not mistreat Lady Bauer?  Or would you prefer to gather more information from Urwin and perhaps Lady Wachter first?"

He sighs dejectedly.  "Yesterday morning, after lairing Saint Andral's Cathedral, when I discovered the theft and the dirt-strewn tracks of the two culprits upon awakening, I attempted to follow them back but lost them.  One led to the neighborhood near the cathedral and another deeper into town.  I lost the trail, I am ashamed to admit.  And I was in a rush to return to the Blue Water Inn so that we could proceed to the winery as we had planned."

"Father Lucien suggested the Bones were a holy ward for Saint Andral's.  I think coercing someone into stealing them was the darklord's preparation for this attack from some horrific minions of his, which otherwise would have been blocked by the Bones' protection.  Before I left, Father Lucien and Ireena said they would investigate, but to no avail, it appears.  Yet, if we track the bone-thieves, we may find the actual culprits and exonerate Lady Bauer."

“There is no reasoning with the Baron, I am sure of it.  I have seen several of the type back at the Lizard.  Don’t waste your breath.”

With one last look at Lady Bauer, she starts walking to the Inn, “Cmon, there is no time to waste.   Soren, stop beating yourself up about the church, you didn’t steal the bones and you can’t be in two places at once.  What is done is done.”

“Yes, there is no reasoning with the Baron right now.  We need more information.  I would say that we should see Urwin and then later tonight, hear what Wachter has to say…”. Giles watches out of the corner of his eye what is happening with Lady Bauer, hoping that no intervention is currently needed and this could be handled quietly, later, after they have further information.

Soren nods his acquiescence, and does not approach the Baron, nor Lady Tourmaline Bauer, looking to Burr to see if the big man holds his peace.

We are a fragile pack yet, only together less than a week, thrust into a land of horror and corruption.

He remembers he had noticed the son... the son of Baron Vargas Vallakovich.  Seeming to have a different body language than his father - looking at Lady Bauer with genuine surprise for example.  Before departing the square, Soren calls on Silvanus for guidance to judge the son's emotion, which seems quite distinct from his sire's.  Boredom?  Embarrassment?  Confusion?  Disgust?

Soren's Insight plus Guidance:  12 + 2 = 14

But thinking of children in general reminds Soren something else.  A grim thought.  To his companions, he observes quietly:

"It is true, Zefla.  The attack on the cathedral was none of our faults.  Yet I remember now that Ireena was not the only one we brought to shelter at Saint Andral' under Father Lucien's care.  There was another.  The child Saskia who we rescued from Morgantha's cart.  We should find what became of her."

Burrs eyes narrowed, he hadn't considered that Saskia would be staying at the church, rather he had...presumptively....assumed she would be taken in by one of the parishioners or some such....

" Are we assuming these bones were taken to allow access by dark forces to Ireena or Saskia or is it more likely the theft of the bones was for some other reason and the attack simply an opportunity taken?"

He cast his eyes once again to Lady Bauer, " I am letting a lot of our friends down of late.....", he turned to follow the others ruefully.

Soren answers Burr simply:

"I know not city ways, yet I cannot think of any other reason to steal the bones, a little-known relic that protected the cathedral from evil, than to set up the attack.  It happened a short time after we delivered someone the darklord sought, Ireena, to the cathedral for her protection.  And no one but the thieves, Father Lucien, Ireena, and we four even knew that the the bones had been stolen.  I think I know why the direwolves were watching us at the bottom of Yester Hill.  If they are the darklord's eyes and ears, they were confirming that we were not returning to Vallaki in time to stop it."

He sets his jaw.  "We did not let down the Martikovs, at least, Burr.  Let us see if we can find the culprits here and prove Lady Bauer blameless."