The Forgotten Wish

"Might well be a case of clawing back what they can, whether for coin or their oh-so-precious honor.", Breldo sighs, "Incompetent leadership inevitably ends up being the biggest problem for the common folk and the rank and file."

"Did the Captain ever attempt to purchase anything of his family's back in a more legitimate fashion before resorting to fabricated conspiracy?"

Sylvera's eyes narrow just barely for a moment, but she resumes her cool demeanor quickly. "He is a hired hand, a new one at that, but I agree that gives him no excuse to disturb the peace. However, from what I've been told it sounds like he did nothing wrong." She nods to Nuria, "This one has little capability of lying." She eyes the stuttering girl, as if confirming that to herself. As far as she's seen, Nuria would stutter herself into a hole while trying to cover up a different one. Does she know this for sure? Of course not, but she's trying to work her own ploy. "However, I realize that it is her word over yours. So, before I agree to your invitation, please indulge my ignorance and tell me how my worker was disturbing the peace, and what slander he committed to land himself in prison. I would also like to know how long you intend to hold him. If your answers are satisfactory... then further talk may not be necessary." She taps her elbow with one finger, "Unless of course, you would allow me to take up your offer anyways." She sighs, "I would prefer he be released as soon as possible, as I intend to leave this... well, I in tend to head out soon. I assure you I am quite capable of enacting punishments for my own servants, if he really does deserve what he's got, I'll see to it that he never commits such a crime again." She smirks, "But, of course, we can speak of that over fine liquor as you say."

Breldo questions the old man, still very uncomfortable about all these questions, shaking his head no to the question on whether he looked to purchase anything back, and even adding that he probably would have sold it back for fair prices. In response, the drunk, or rather a person clearly dealing with a massive hangover by this point, sputters something about how he probably can't even afford it, but nothing concrete. The girl in the jail opposite them finally speaks up again however.

"So, we might have a reason that him over there got pulled in... But why us? I don't need to explain that we are evidently scapegoats for something, but... If his goal was just to get stuff back from him by abusing his privileges, then why did we get roped into this? I feel like there'd be ways to do that without..."

---

Vanstrom offers a wide grin as Sylvera appears mostly receptive, even if he moves quickly to brush off the allegations.

"Ah, but I'm afraid he was most certainly making a nuisance. Positively getting irate. Honestly, it was for his own protection that I arrested him, seeing how he may not be of sound mind with the crazy conjectures and imagination he was cooking up. Wild, random accusations of things easily proven untrue. Maybe he had too much to drink? I suppose I didn't test him for that."

"As for how long I was going to keep him, I was going to see if he calmed down in the morning. But if fellow royal blood wants to vouch for their subjects we can certainly speak it over a fine glass of wine, yes?"

The man takes a slight step to the side, then gestures up the stairs, indicating Sylvera should join him.

Sylvera stifles her rising irritation as the fool captain dodges the question. The fact that the man won't just come out and say what happened is more than enough to make her question his honesty. Though, she surprises herself by realizing she'd automatically taken Nuria's side in this... perhaps it was because her first impression of this captain had not been good. ...yes, that has to be it. She eyes him critically, lifting her chin further before letting out a breath. She doesn't like this man, not one bit. 

Still, she has to be subtle with this. If he's really willing to let Breldo go in the morning, then that might be better than flat out making an enemy of this man. So long as they can be on the road when they need to be, what does it matter? Adopting a mildly shocked expression she says breathily, "Random accusations? For what?" Then she shakes her head and sighs, "Very well. Let us discuss this further in a place more suited for discussion." And waves Nuria and Khond away, clearly dismissing them--though whether or not the gesture is for show is up for interpretation. Then she walks towards the stairs, doing her best not to show her disgust with this wretched human. She wants to appear complacent while also demonstrating that she is not afraid of this fool in the slightest. 

"The sense I got was that he was happy to find an excuse to be rid of the three of you, and was relying on there not being anyone to raise a fuss on your behalf. It's blunt and cruel, but there are worse scapegoats than a thief, a drunk and a simpleton, with a local merchant as the alleged mastermind."

As Sylvera makes her way toward the stairs, Khond turns to one of the other guards, "I would like to check on my companion while our lady discusses things further.  Mind showing me where to find him?"

Stealth: 16

Athletics: 13

The captain gives an offhand shrug. 

"We have a full confession from some crooks we captured, but your servant seems to believe that and other evidence is not enough, and instead started making wild accusations of how I'm performing... It's so inane I'm not sure how I'd even properly describe it. Vigilante justice..?"

That is all Vanstrom spares still in the presence of others, guiding Sylvera upstairs and leaving the others behind below. It doesn't take long before, with another smile, he's guided the elf into a candle-lit dining hall, although the feast that happened here seems long over. The ample meal that was served has gone cold, and only leftovers remain. No one else is in the room. 

"Apologies for the mess, I was entertaining other guests just prior to your arrival. I think there may be a slice of cake left or such if you want it," he says, turning his back to the woman in order to go grab two glasses, before generously filling with some wine already uncorked on the table. 

"If you want more details about your friend's misdemeanor... Honestly, it was so inconsequential that I barely even remember what he said besides it's accusatory contents. I think it came down to him having seen the ambush site and not believing the confession? Commoners should know better than to fling such wild accusations."

"But that doesn't really matter," the man says as he slides in a chair, no words or actions needed to invite Sylvera to join him. "So you truly must leave by tomorrow morning then?"

---

Downstairs, Khond asks if he could go inspect his friend to the guard closest him, who gives him a very quick look up and down. Hard to say if he's gauging the centaurs intent, or just surprised to see a centaur for the first time. Still, while his comment on the question is not a hard no, it's, well.

"Do you think we run a jail or a creche?"

(Give me a persuasion check?)

---

The girl Tiefling gives a heavy sigh to Breldo. "I suppose that makes sense. Three scapegoats just to get to one guy..."

---

Somewhere else entirely, Oren and Slick make their brave escape. While Slick realizes after that what he thought was a completely dark street he was looking at, was a piece of awning that blocked his vision, the both of them are fast and quiet enough that they seem to make it out without being noticed. They do notice now they are down how someone with a lantern is now walking in the general direction of the store, however, likely having noticed the open window.

Sylvera sniffs at the mention of Vigilante justice, "Perhaps."

Upon entering the room, she glides over to the proffered seat, waving a hand at the mess in an obvious dismissal. "I think not," she says to the offer of cake. "I find such things to be a little too rich for me most often." She accepts the wine though, setting it on the table next to her and running a finger along the lip of the cup. "Friend? Oh, no. As I said before, he is just a hired hand." She looks into the wine for a moment, swirling it as she says, "They should know better, yes. But I must admit to being curious of this exchange. I haven't known this... commoner long, but he didn't seem the type to go looking for trouble." She smiles, shaking her head to one side to toss a stray lock of hair out of her face and says, "Of course, he's always on his best behavior around me, so perhaps there is a side to him I haven't seen. Still, I think it fair to hear him out. I can't afford for those below me to think I am blind to them. Even if they are... well, commoners, they are not animals. They have some wit." She sighs, "Though judging by how he's behind bars, I'd venture to say he doesn't have enough to know when to keep his mouth shut." Her tone grows slightly harsh at those last words, but she quickly regains her cool and smiles again. "But, as you said. I suppose it doesn't really matter." 

She leans back in the chair, letting some weariness show... she had been dragged out of her meditation after all... as she says, "Yes unfortunately, I must depart tomorrow. I am in the midst of some important research. Such that I am relying on another, who is... let's just say he has a time limit. So unless he changes his plans then tomorrow it is." She pauses, moving the wine glass to her lap as she continues to swirl its contents, "So you see, that is why I need my worker back at least by tomorrow morning. I can't afford delays."

Rick tugs on Oren's arm, leading casually in the direction of their inn,

"Rick wonders if Rick can get some more soup. Rick is hungry after all the excitement!"

Nodding to Rick’s words, “Yes.  Let’s make it back to the inn.  This was a very unexpected turn.  But after all that happened I’m not too sure I have an appetite.”

 After a bit of walking he adds, “It’ll be interesting to look a bit more at all the papers we found.”  

"Well, four scapegoats to disguise seizing back his mismanaged and squandered inheritance... He questioned you? Make any mention of some ambush?"

Rick smiles,

"Friend Oren should try the stew, the stew is both spicy and filling!"

He then nods sagely along,

"Rick can help Oren examine the documents for clues. Rick was wrong about the family tree not showing what Rick thought it would not show. The family tree is mostly a boring rich person family tree. Rick should invest in a family tree for Rick's family, that family tree would be exciting! Though Rick wonders how many unknown and missing branches their were be..."

Rick is silent the rest of the back to the inn while he considers his potential family tree.

Vanstrom simply shrugs to Sylvera.

"He must not have known he was dealing with royalty, and could get off with insulting a mere officer of the law. Frankly, whatever his comments were were so nonsensical I immediately disregarded them, besides the part where he turned it into thinly veiled insults."

"Really however, none of that matters. I am truly, truly sorry to hear you are so inconvenienced currently. It is, of course, my last intention to delay you if you are on a matter of urgency."

"On which note... From one with noble privilege to another, sometimes we are required to lead, and sometimes that requires knowing better than whatever commoners think. Can we agree on that?"

He pauses, letting whatever he just said sink in for a moment, then makes a sudden offer.

"If you come here first thing in the morning, and leave the city right after, I'll let him go. I only ask that you make sure him, or anyone else of your company, makes more of a nuisance than they already did. Do you agree?"

---

Slick and Oren quickly sneak away, before the random concerned civilian can get close enough to even figure out what is going on, if anything. Judging by him eventually waddling away again, he must have figured the window was left open before and he misremembered... Although by that point, Slick and Oren are likely already back inside the inn, the tabaxi enjoying a new bowl of soup.

---

At the mention of questioning, the girl frowns, and shares a few looks toward both the simpleton next to her, and the drunk across. A look that is somehow at the same time accusatory, and understanding.

"They did an interview. Of sorts."

"...Yeah, I told em what they wanted to hear. Damn jackass was going to keep punching my face until I said yes anyway, so what's the point?" the drunk admits, a bit dejected. The girl for her part shrugs.

"For their sakes, I don't think it mattered much when the person doing the interrogation already knew what he wanted to hear."

Rick looks around for Pallen, Urea and Khond when he comes in with Oren.

"Rick will get Oren a bowl too. Oren will find a table and Rick will help look at the papers after Oren has eaten."

Should Pallen be around Rick will help him to their table.

"So a few coerced confessions, to give him enough of a standing of legitimacy to further his ends... Do you recall what the first few questions you were asked were? I'm curious if they revealed anything about his intentions..."

“Yes.  We should see if Pallin would like food.  Then find the others and privately look at these papers.”  Oren frowns and sighs heavily.  “There is obviously lying going on.  Most probably people getting hurt in the process.   The shop keeper might be one of the bad ones. Or he might be a victim.  But…..Pallin doesn’t have time on his side.  We might have to just leave quickly tomorrow and do our service to him first.  And then come back here if we need to roll over some rocks to find the bad goblins.”

As soon as Sylvara leaves with the big chinned captain. Nuria tries to hide behind Khond. She's not sure what to do at this point, so she'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Rick's nods along with Oren, commenting only,

"Boss Pallen already ate, but maybe is hungry again?"

Then his good ear lays flat on his head at Oren's causal racism,

"Rick knows many goblins! Oren should know better than to say that! Oren should say bad ones or bad people!"

Rick then calms,

"Oren should say bad landlords. Rick has never had a good landlord."

Persuasion: 10

Khond arches an eyebrow, "Surely a well-maintained jailhouse will have no complications with visitors for someone taken on minor charges?  And what could be considered mere misdemeanor if not actions that warrant a release the next morning?  Why, I have heard stories of grand prisons bearing enough renown and security to allow visits at all times, so surely your own illustrious establishment will have no difficulties hosting a single check-in?"