"Laying low would probably be best. If we confront him, we're liable to get killed in the throne room. You guys may have more luck finding things to do." Alethra stands up and goes to the door. "I'll look for a tinker's guild, see if I can make contact with mine."

"And it would be unwise to try to go after the hood again at this time..." Logan says, mostly just stating the obvious out loud, "Seems we are at something of an impass. Perhaps we can simply find out more about U'den in the mean time."

“I may know someone here, but no promises. Let me go and see if they know something.” Samson waves to the group and returns outside to find the people he knew from the noble’s army.

Samson make a Investigation check as you ask around Town, looking for a familiar individual.

Investigation 18

While it does take some asking around, Asking 6 different people you happen to see. 3 of them send you on a wild goose chase, 2 refuse to talk at all about the Valiant. The last one however does point you towards the direction of the Iron stock, The Makeshift prison. On the outside it looks like a log longhouse, The roof is covered in a thick coat of snow. Smoke is billowing out of a stone chimney.

The somewhat frozen road gives way to slick and sloppy Mud and slush. As you get closer to the Stock. While most Buildings back in the poorer part of town is spare and abandoned. The ones in what would be called the Middle class to wealthy part of this town is Close together and occupied. This part of town is almost bustling as people pass by you in the dozens, Most fairly well dressed but still looks like they work hard.

You come to a set of stairs leading up to the Iron stock, Simple wooden steps that lead up to an outer bridge that stretches out 6 feet from the front of the LogHouse. The roof overhangs the bridge and keeps it covered from the weather for the most part. On the bridge in a pair of chairs sits two individuals. Both clad in simple studded leather armor. The Female of the pair Has a bow strung across her chest and a quiver dangling from her hip. Long brown hair tied behind her head. A human no doubt with a rather unsightly scar that starts above her right brow and extends down the right side of her face, Ending just before her jaw.

The Male is human as well, He has a rather large 2 handed sword leaning against the building close to him. Shaved head and a simple black goatee, He has the same scar the female has only on the left side of his face. 

Both are enjoying a hot refreshment and watching as people walk by. They notice you ascend the stairs. 

Samson smiles and waves. “Hello, my name is Samson, and you are?”

The Man gives you a simple nod while fumbling threw a pouch at his side, Producing a rather worn wooden pipe. "Hello Samson, we dont see many new faces around here and yours is definitely new." The Woman Responds and she stands to greet you; Extending her left hand towards you. "My name is Rei and this is my Twin brother Ray." She gestures to the man who is now flicking a simple wooden match and lighting the herb in his pipe. "Dont worry about him, he dont talk much. How can I help you?" 

DM Note: And so begins the COnfusion that is going to be Rei and Ray.

Samson shakes her hand. “Rei, Ray, nice to meet you. I’m looking for the Lord’s army. I just got into town and I’m looking for an acquaintance of mine; she’s a soldier there. You wouldn’t happen to know where to look would you?”

Logan meanwhile sits at the inn and has a drink.. or three.

Ray leans back in his seat and rests against the front of the building. His pipe in one hand and his beverage in the other, Simply watching as people walk by.

Rei takes a moment to size you up Samson and then takes her seat once more. "Well If ya lookin for the Valiant, Ya Found 'em Friend. If ya cant find the person your looking for here She'd be at the Manor." Rei brushes some snow off the railing. "Ya got a name for this Person? or a Rank? Might be able to point ya in the right direction." 

Samson smiles apologetically and says, “Unfortunately, I do not recall her name, but I could describe her to you if that would help.” And he’ll tell them what she looks like in as much detail as he can.

(sorry for not posting, finals week is a killer) 

Rei listens intently as she sips from her steaming mug. At one point her brow raises slightly as she seemingly recognizes the description you provide her Samson.

"That sounds an awfully lot like Vera, She was Lord U'dens bodyguard for a time. Now she is Warden of the Iron Stocks, If she isnt inside then she should be here shortly."

Is there anything else the group back at the Inn would like to do?

(No Worries, I remember finals week and what it was like.)

“Could you possibly see if she is here?” asks Samson. “I don’t mean to trouble you, it’s just freezing out here! Born and raised in this country, but I hate the cold.”

Rei gives you a somewhat impatient look and stands from her seat. "Aye I'll see if she's in, Brother hold this for me." She hands the mug to her brother and enters into the Iron Stock.

Ray is quiet and is still watching the passers by, Never once looking at you Samson.

Rei returns 5 minutes later. "She's in her office Friend. Head down the hall, Its the last door on the right." She takes her mug and sits back down. 

Samson heads in after thanking Rei, and knocks on the last door on the right.

You push open the sturdy door and enter the Log building into a hallway that runs the entire length of the building. Walking threw you glimpse from room to room as most of the doors are open. You notice that there actually isnt that many People in the building, If this is the Prison of the town its run by what looks like a skeleton crew. Counting the two on the outside and the 5 you see just lazing around and the Warden. Only 8 people keep watch over the prisoners. You reach the halfway point and enter what is definetly the holding cells. You see 3 single cells. Each has an occupant that you cant really see because of the low light and one large cell that could very well be the back portion of the building. It is filled with men and women all of them look weak and malnourished. 

You get to the door as instructed and knock. "It's open." A feminine voice exclaims. You push the door open and enter into a cozy little room. A desk in the center off the room, the back wall is covered in Various display weapons. Swords and axes, 3 different shields. The two side walls are shelves, Lined with scrolls and books. An armor stand in front of the right wall has a full suit of plate armor on it. Behind the desk sits the person you remember meeting. While her facial features are the same, Her hair is different. The right side of her hair has been braided into tight corn rows and tied back to the nape of her neck. While the left side is untouched and freely flowing down her back. Garbed in chainmail and pieces of leather. Vera looks up from her work.

"How can I help you?"

Samson smiles at her and says, “Remember me? We met a few years ago when I came here guarding Caroline Forweth? I was wondering if I could ask you a favor.”

(OOC we could probably have the rest of the party doing some other things while Samson talks to Vera right?)

She gives you a confused look as she steps away from her desk. You can see a shortsword hanging from her right hip. "Pardon? That name sounds vaguely familiar. I've seen alot of faces in my short time alive and heard even more names." She rounds the desk and leans against the front of it, facing you she folds her arms around her torso. "Guarding Caroline Forweth eh? To who did you belong to at the time?"

I have asked if the party would like to be doing anything while this is going on. 

Alethra goes to the guild district to look for a tinker guild or some such.