The Forgotten Wish

Rick asks,

"Rick wonders how far into the woods Boris, and the rest, tracked behind the children? Children are not know for covering their tracks well."

Rick asks as well,

"Did Boris or anyone tie up the children? Did the children go even after having been tied?"

Boris shakes his head at the question.

"None of us are really good trackers or hunters. I mean... It's technically the king's woods, so we're not allowed to hunt in it even if his majesty would never come this far," he says, his tone suggesting it does happen, but wouldn't quite say as much.

"With the disappearance happening at night it also wasn't really easy. Gerald- Another parent, that is, I'll introduce you to anyone if needed- Did try to backtrack in reverse direction one day, but didn't seem to have found anything."

"As for tying them up... No, we didn't do that," he says, his tone making it hard to guess on whether they considered it and found it too cruel, or had simply not considered it.

"Rick is now quite curious to see where they children were going! Rick is most interested in talking to Gerald, if Gerald is around?"

So far as the not tying the kids up,

"When Rick's cousin, Clawdeen, was sleep climbing the walls Rick's aunt tied her up. Rick's cousin never slept better and Rick's aunt didn't have to worry about Clawdeen falling!"

He only explains the benefits of a bit rope for child rearing.

"I'm experienced at tracking, if they were going to the same place each time, there should be evidence, even after a while. When was the last time a child went missing at night?"

"I suppose trying to recover tracks is a good a starting point as any, if you're skilled in that. I can call over Gerald so you can talk and go do that, if there's nothing else? In the meantime I'll spread the news and make sure you all have accomodations... How many of you are there in total again? We need one stable, anything someone else might need?"

Rick asks Breldo,

"Will Breldo go looking for tracks tonight?"

He shakes his head at Boris's question for additional lodging needs.

(Keep in mind that it's currently only (late) afternoon.)

It takes a moment for Nuria to register that this situation is the same as a quest the group was told about earlier. She had pretty much forgotten about it until the lumberjack explains the town's dilemma. She's relieved when hearing that the children are turning up again safe, but the story frightens her. There has to be a logical reason for this right? Magic isn't real after all. Though she has to agree with the lumberjack on Slylvara's point. There's no way every child in town is on drugs.

When Breldo mentions tracking the children her expression brightens a little. Yes, that is a good idea. She waits expectantly for the lumberjack to respond to the halfling's question of when the last time a child went missing was.

The man stumbles for a moment.

"Ah, sorry, you did ask- Three days ago was the last time. It's been quiet since, hence the whole talk at the start that it might already be over..."

Nuria glances at Breldo, whispers to him. "P-perhaps we should s-speak with the boy named Cl-Clyde? H-he could show us w-where he saw the thing in the t-trees."

"I'd much rather track before dark, when I can still see... Three days... Not very fresh, but we can try, and yes, talking to Clyde is a fine idea Nuria."

"Also not a bad idea. Last I saw Clyde he was chopping some firewood, so I can point you in his direction. I'll be sharing what you're here to do, so people should be willing to help. If there's anything I might be missing, maybe they'll come up with it to you," the man says, inviting the group to finish their drinks, before getting up and getting to work. He does glance at the elf they are escorting too, uncertain as to what should be done on that front, if anything.

Rick notes the timeline and Breldo's comment,

"Rick thinks that after a few weeks of repeated walking the children may have left trails, especially if the children were going to the same spot each time. Easy for Breldo to find!"

"I can take a quick look in the woods with any who wish to join me, but want to make sure that Mister Pallen's comfort is seen to here first. Or if someone else wished to?"

Boris scratches the back of his head awkwardly for a moment, before turning to the side. Gertrude, who had consigned herself to finishing laundry while obviously listening in the address of his next question.

"Gertrude, would you mind taking care of their guest for now? I think he's got, erm... You know, the stone thing..? I'll be back soon as I show these folks around and bring some people up to speed."

To that, the woman seems very unenthused, glancing at Pallen with what almost sounds like a hint of fear, but ultimately she obliges. Hoping that'd be enough, Boris gets up, ready to escort or direct the group wherever.

(What would everyone like to do?)

((Breldo would want to make sure that Pallen is as comfortable as is possible, he is their employer for this jaunt, and doesn't want to just abandon him in some lady's home if he's not good with him leaving.))

((Pallen seems okay with staying there... As long as it's temporarily. Breldo can ask for his opinion if he wants, but it seems he's okay with things as long as everyone sticks to the agreement they'll have to leave next morning. And they have a place to sleep, of course.))

((That'll do. I just wanted it on record that Breldo was looking after his current boss before running off to a side job while still on the clock!))

((If anything, the elf seems pretty interested in the whole mystery himself!))

((Throw him on Khond and bring him along!))