Reya's mouth drops open a bit and then her cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger as the teenager gets flustered.  "Well, how would you flip on someone you were brought up to admire and basically worship your entire life?  I was just supposed to forget all that on what you all said?"  She crosses her arms and leans against the buliding and nods towards Fisk to either do the same or take a seat.  "Fine, I'll watch him." she tells Corlith with anger laced in her words.

Zodge looks at Roo as the aarakocra tries to tell him how to do his job.  Finally he shrugs as it wasn't here or there for him.  Turning to Corlith, "Ah yes, Satiir.  I'm sure she's just fine.  Honestly, before your report last night I thought she had just left town."

As Virro drops his badge and a solitary finger on his desk, the captain cringes.  He picks up the badge with the rest, but leaves the finger.  "Um.. as much as I appreciate the proof you are so willing to show me, you can hang on to it."

Listening to the group give their reports to Commander Portyr, Zodge nods along enthusiastically, "Yes, yes they did a very thorough job.  Did you know that this reached all the way to Duke Vanthampur?  Well, they disposed of her as well.  I'm sure your uncle Duke Dillard Portyr will be happy to hear this.  It appears that there are only two remaining government leaders now at Baldur's Gate.  You should report this and take care of matters with the government at once, leave the Flaming Fists for me to deal with."

The Commander listens to Corlith, Roo, Virro and Reed in silence as they state their cases.  She raises an eyebrow at Virro as he talks about a bonus for each finger, then turns to Captain Zodge, "Is this true?  That is quite unorthodox, interesting, but well.. you asked for it then didn't honor it?"  she frowns, unsure what to make of it.  "No!  That is not true, that elf is sorely mistaken, I don't want anything to do with these pieces!  I hope you didn't bring those bags with you!!" he yells the last sentence at Virro, suddenly a bit on edge with everything going on in his office.

Seeing the situation for what it is, Commander Portyr sighs, "Darmin, please, have a seat." Turning to Corlith, she asks, "What is your families name so that I can be sure the favor of the Fists does extend to your family."  She smiles at Reed, "Now that cat is quite a find.  I trust that all the gold is there then?"  Raising an eyebrow to Roo, "You're a new one, I have not met someone like you before, thank you for your help.  You're not all here?  There were more of you?"  And to Virro, she winks, "I understand why you'd want to show proof.  Very astute of you.  But as you can see, it makes the Captain very uncomfortable, if you could put the digit away, it would probably help."

At the mention of family names, Reed cinches up the strings on the bag and grabs his gear and encourages Slobberchops to follow him to a door.

There was one thing worse than an unfriendly big person and that was one that suddenly became too friendly. He wanted nothing more to do with Commander Portyr.

"Looks like you've a lot on your plate and we've a birthday celebration to finish up," Reed says. He then waves good bye to Zodge and slips his way through the crowd and out the door.

Slobberchops bounds onto the desk, scattering Zodge's paperwork everywhere and snatches up the much discussed finger then follows Reed out the door.

Corlith looks at Reya getting angry and sighs. "It was all the evidence piling up against him, not what we said. And now you would have us all believe in Fisk here, just because he says he is ok and drops a few bits of knowledge on us? Don't be angry, just learn from this experience and don't be quite so trusting. Does the fact that he suddenly wants to go somewhere before Candlekeep and arm himself not strike you as just a little odd? Are you so certain that it isn't a trap or an opportunity to escape?". He shrugs his shoulders and walks in to the Flaming Fist office. "Think on it".

Corlith is taken aback by Zodge's outburst, but does have a little sympathy for him having to deal with this group. When Commander Portyr seems to try and calm things down, and after Reed, Slobberchops and the finger have left, he relaxes a little as well.

"My family are the Krells, from Stonyeyes in the Outer City", he answers appreciatively. "They are...not like myself. I mean...they are human. They work at the Counting House in The Steeps. What with all the devil worship and cults to evil dead gods we have seen I worry for them, and all the good folk of Baldur's Gate. Not to mention plans for Baldur's Gate to share Elturel's fate. Especially as we are looking to head to Candlekeep to learn more about the devils the Vanthampurs had dealings with".

Reya nods, appreciating Corlith talking to her about this.  

Commander Portyr writes down the name and where Corlith's family is, looks to the others to see if they want anything added to her list as well.  She then puts it away, not commenting on the halflings quick departure.  

"Candlekeep you say?  Well, that is quite a ways, I will make sure you have horses to get there."  Pulling out another sheet of parchment, she quickly writes a note, then walking over to Zodges desk, "Do you have what is needed for a seal in this mess you call an office?"  Zodge frowns, but pulls out sealing wax and lights a runt of a candle, moving papers out of the way as he does.

Rolling up the parchment and sealing it with her ring, she nods in approval and hands the note over to Corlith.  "Give this to Charles at the stables next to the Basilisk Gate.  He will get you set up properly.  Now, if there isn't anything else, I must focus my efforts on various threats to the city’s security, I'm sure you understand."  and she looks at you expectantly, waiting for you to leave so she can have a conversation with Captain Zodge in private.

Corlith takes the parchment, nods to the Commander and takes his leave, content that they now have transport.

When he exits , he waits for the others before heading back to pick up Archie.

Roo watches this exchange with dull attention.  All of this talking and discussing was surely what amounted to featherless crap.  Then he saw Reed get up and leave, and the feathers on his neck bristled.  There was something about that he didn't like.  

Then she asked for names.  

Roo studied the question for a moment, and the way she wrote down Corlith's family name before weighing in on the situation.  

"I have no family name, buck."  Roo adds, still studying the woman.  "I am the defender of the Gallus village in the edge of the forest.  I came here seeking help for my people from the Flaming Fists and wound up involved in a quest to rinse the city's gutters with the blood of infidels."  

Portyr considers Roo for a moment, then seems to come to a conclusion as she nods.  "Gallus village.  I shall have to make it a point to visit sometime.  You need help for your people?  What plagues them?  And yes, you all have done some fine work."

Reed waves at Reya and Fisk when he gets outside with Slobberchops.

"Don't mind him," Reed says, gesturing at Slobberchops. "He's just having a little snack."

He taps his foot a little, wanting to get far away from the Flaming Fist headquarters.

"They started asking personal questions in there. People like that, asking where you're from and who your family are just seems wrong," Reed says, then whispers to himself. "I know, mum. Being rude is a sign of weakness and insecurity."

As the rest of you leave Captain Zodge's office, you pick up Reya, Fisk, Reed and Corlith and head back towards Thell's workshop.  Step is a bit lighter even though you are now weighed down with 1200 gold coins and you have a document that will procure you all steeds to take you to Candlekeep once you're all ready to leave Baldur's Gate.

As you enter the workshop, you see that the mess from Roo has been cleared and the other cake that Archie's parents have brought is more than half gone.  Archie is sitting off to herself a bit, though facing her parents and seemingly answering their questions, tapping her fingers and bouncing her legs. Seeing you all enter, the suit of armor faces you and straightens up, most likely happy to see you all return.

Mrs. Ardour's face is all puffy, her eyes are bloodshot, but for the moment the tears have stopped.  She is stuffing her face with another slice of cake as Mr. Ardour has his arm around her and trading off between whispering somewhat comforting words to his wife and asking Archie mundane questions as he doesn't know what else to do.  The two also face you as you enter, though not as exuberantly.

Setting the cake aside, Mrs. Ardour stands up and brushes the crumbs from her dress and stares the rest of you down.  "I do not know you.  But my Archie is in trouble and she trusts you all to help you.  She tells us that she has hope and believes you all can help her since she has met you and spent time with you all.  I sure hope she is right because we are at a loss.  Arnold and I are but mere poor folk from the Outer City and have no idea how to help our angel.  And she is lost as well without Master Thell."  She pauses and points to all of you, slowly and individually, "I need you all to promise me you will get my dear daughter out of this contraption.  And soon!  I fear she doesn't have long and pray you'll find the answer in Candlekeep."

Archie jumps up as her mother begins the verbal tirade, "you're back! how did it go with Zodge? I uhh- yes this is important to my mother that she gets a promise from you all, I um, I'm sorry.. it's not like any of you owe me anything but, I really do think you're all the most competent people to do so. Oh and I said that you'd all help me anyway, even without promising, y'know, because you have done so far and um.. and you're all just nice like that." Her voice is strained, fast paced and somewhat pleading, as if to signal to the group to please just go along with this and it'll all be over quicker and then Archie and the group can relax in a less anxious setting.

Reed reaches over and pats Mrs. Ardour's hand.

"We'll get her out of there," Reed says with a smile. "And in one piece too. Might have to cut her hair or something but otherwise in one piece."

He moves off to have some of the cake that's left.

"Mostly one piece" he says quietly to himself as he digs in.

Reed will slip the coins (200 gp) discretely to each of the team, making sure Reya and Fisk don't see, and holding on to Wilfred's for safe keeping. At the same time he'll slip Archie's share from the dungeon adventure.

Corlith looks across to Archie's mother, "Be assured, Archie is right. We already have plans to help her out of the suit and I promise I will do what is in her best interests. In truth, I think it possible Archie herself might figure this out anyway. Besides being impulsive I think she is very capable".

"On that note, we have finished our business with the Flaming Fist, and managed to procure transport. I do have a quick stop to make on the way, and we need to go by Fisk's place to get that book we need to enter Candlekeep", he says, looking closely at Fisk when speaking of the book.

"It was nice to meet you Mr and Mrs A", he says and steps outside to wait for the others, motioning for Fisk to follow.

Virro runs out the door, chasing after Reed and Slobberchops, saying “Slobber!  That’s one more gold piece in your mouth!  Why you little….”  And he quickly follows Reed, having a similar view of the Commander. 

Virro walks over to the table slicing off another piece of cake, aiming to help finish it off.  He holds it in his hands gently, trying not to create too many crumbs.  He nods along with the conversation, walking forward to Archie’s mom and saying in between mouthfuls, ‘Believe you me, ma’am, we will help her.  We are here to investigate things and that is one more on the list.  We will help dear Archie out of that suit and I pledge to protect her and her health as much as I can.”  He stops and turns, looking at all of them assembled here in their spot of rest and safety, adding “And that goes for the rest of you too.  My crew…. We don’t need no stinkin badges!  We have been through it, haven’t we?  I am with you till the end, whatever that may be..”  Virro stuffs the last of the cake in his mouth.  “Onnnff fu Fandlefeep!”

It is clear that Roo isn't sure what to think of all these Featherless traditions and societal norms.  He looks at the bag of gold with a blank expression that relays more of a 'what the hell am I supposed to do with this?' demeanor than gratitude, but accepts it none-the-less and puts it in one of Glory of Morning's saddlebags.

The possum watches Virro as he takes a slice of cake, and feeling shorted from earlier in the day, climbs up on the table and starts to eat.  She gets two or three big mouthfuls of the surviving cake before it is almost all gone...

"Yes, yes, quite so!"  Roo says, ignoring Glory of Morning after his feast of cake earlier that morning still had him full.  "Buck!  'Til the end!  Let us make haste!"  

Archie stands towering over her parents and scratching the back of her head with a stance that suggests  a hopeful awkwardness, "so that's settled then... Right mum? They all promised and I'll be in good hands. I'll be out of this contraption in no time, see?" She pauses giving her mother space and hoping that this ordeal will be over with soon.

Archie's mum nods, having nothing more to say but attempts a smile at the words of Archie's friends... but fails miserably.

Mr. Ardour stands and shakes everyone's hands, "Thank you all for helping our daughter, we truly appreciate it."  Turning to Archie, "As soon as you are out of this suit, come see us, we will be waiting at home for your visit.  I mean immediately, young lady." and he looks at her sternly, then wraps the clanky armor in a hug as awkwardly as that sounds.

You all depart the workshop, the Ardours heading a different direction then the rest as you make your way to the Basilisk Gate and the stable.

Returning the hug and bringing her mother in too, Archie gives her parents a bittersweet farewell "I promise I'll be back, I'll be out of this suit and I'll come straight back to you, I promise..." Letting them go she locks up the ship and joins the group.

"Uhh thanks for playing along back there, I honestly didn't know how they'd take it, but you guys really helped, I think that was the best outcome, even if you were just humouring them." 

"Hey, don't go all soft on us now," Reed says with a smile to Archie as they make their way to the Basilisk Gate. "And besides, you got into that suit somehow. We're bound to find a way for you to get out."

He adjusts his pack and trots along, moving quickly to keep up the pace with the long-legged ones.

"Come on Slobby," Reed calls to Slobberchops. "More fingers await."

"I meant what I said", Corlith replies to Archie as they walk, but doesn't say much more as they make their way toward the Basilisk Gate. He is a little lost in thought as he walks the streets, watching the people going about their daily lives. It was true they wanted help for Archie at Candlekeep, but they also needed to find out more about the sinister plans that were set in motion for Baldur's Gate. What if the Vanthampur's weren't the only ones working on it? What would happen to the city, and his parents, if something were to happen?

"Once we are through the Basilisk Gate, I need to make a quick stop to drop off some things at my folks' place. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. I can catch you up outside Little Calimshan if it is easier?".