Well, the horses are therefore 'convinced' to accompany you for a short distance inside the dungeon.

Gaer, outside, removes some snow from the ground until he finds grass and tries to recover some for the horses.

Aidwyn flexes her muscles and restores the functionality of the lever in the throne room, opening the secret passage.

Anita, mindful of the layout of Level 1 of the dungeon, goes to retrieve the large container from the dormitory and fills it with snow - which should melt and provide water for the horses.

At the end of the operations, the horses are locked up, safe, with a minimal supply of food and water... and you are ready to descend the stairs to the lower levels.

What will be your first destination? Do you want to finish snooping around Level 2? Or will you immediately descend to the less explored Level 3?

Back at The Gilded Horseshoe, Roxana had at first tried to set the stories straight. But she soon realized the variations were just too numerous and most weren't willing to listen anyhow.  She made sure to not actually agree with these tales, but rather emphasize they had done what Martha had asked and it wasn't just her that had accomplished it all.

She did verify that her small room above the tavern would still be there for her when she's back.  And she made sure to profusely thank everyone.

As they prepare to leave, she says to Gaer, "Of course you can ride behind me on Snowshine. It'll be nice," she tells him with a smile.

Now having got the house inside and settled she shifts her attention to their continued explorations. "I would suggest we go to where we left off - that room where we found the prisons. And go from there?"

Spira listens patiently to Adran's explanation, and when he is done, heaves a long and deep sigh.  "I'm sorry.  I truly would like to believe you, but your argument doesn't wash.  You gave us bracelets that are PLAINLY lettered, 'IDIOT'  on the outside in Elvish characters large enough to read from the other side of Waterdeep and quite sufficient, if we had walked off innocently wearing them, to brand us as jackasses and laughingstocks in any community we enter from the smallest hamlet to the largest city long before we get close enough to explain the 'deeper philosophical meanings'  inside,... which you conveniently didn't mention when you had a chance before I challenged you.  And you gave the bracelets to all of us, not just to Rash. Nor did you fill us in on either this interpretation or the translation itself until you were caught. And to crown all, you try and distract attention from the first point I mentioned with a long multiplication of words about the second."  She pauses, rolling one lock of her hair between her fingers.

"You know, as I reflect back now, your dislike of us began long before there was reason for it and has multiplied beyond all reason.  From the first you wished us ill rather than success, and were quite clear you thought we would fail.  I keep a clearer memory of your deeds and arguments than you suppose.  And your disdain for Dobbian was quite clear also.  I will go no farther on that point unless you press me, and it is not entirely mine to decide.  But I think all here keep a clearer memory of how this whole situation began than you would like to suppose."

                      "And the one thing I am most left wondering is: why?  Why is your malice so great?  And your disdain?"

"You say you can explain the nuances of the Elvish?  Can you explain to me why you suppose Angharradh herself who grants me any power I have would not have filled me in on the nuances of both terms?  She gave me no reason to interpret, 'IDIOT' as anything else than what it was; and if you expect me to believe you could insult us so with one hand and yet intend a subtle compliment by the elven nuances of the term 'aegiskeryn' rather than the insulting slang meaning it's picked up and which you are quite educated enough to be aware of -- by your own arguments this is impossible, and I've already stated the reasons it is beyond improbable you meant well by it."  As she speaks, she looks over at Thia, at Dobbian, and at Lady Martha and any other Sharnshields or Harpells that may be present to see if they are giving any subtle clues whether they would prefer her to press this or to back off.

===========

Insight 14

While you were still with Adran at Sharnshield Mansion:

(OOC: Well, Adran had waited for Martha and Dobbian to finish talking to you before approaching, so in the meantime the two of them went back into the Mansion. So, up to Spira whether to press this or to back off).

The elf's imperturbability seems to slowly turn to a slight sadness, as he sighs: "I doubt that continuing this discussion will get us far - because I cannot convince you of what you are not ready to believe, chosen of Angharradh. But I certainly do not intend to impose on you an unwanted gift" he holds out his hand. "Give me back the bracelet, I won't be offended. Practice makes perfect. Next time we interact, we'll probably understand each other better".

In the dungeon:

Gaer approves Roxana's proposal: "Yes, why not? It was the most protected level... It should hold the most precious secrets - or items" and looks at the others, waiting for them to speak their mind also.

"Yeah sure.. are you going to be ok Zen? " Aidwyn asks to the little celestial elephant. "And you?" she asks to Balbfy at her side "Being so much time imprisoned here... must be rough to come back... if any of you feel uncomfortable just tell us and you can wait outsied or we just leave... no secret or special object is worth making any of you feel bad... but if we all are ok, let's do this!" she says 

(OOC: @Frandal: Balfby did not come, for she had no way to avoid sunlight during the journey... She is at the Mansion, keeping watch in Aidwyn and Solitude's room  I'd say).

Zentromya reassures you all: "No problem, it will not trouble me to come back to that place, now that I am free... and in good company. Let's go and see if I can be of any help, my heroic friends!"

Going down the stairs, you meet Elky once again, who appears out of nowhere and asks you, as usual: "Hello esteemed visitors. I'm Elky and I'm here to serve you. Would you like something to drink or eat, by any chance? I could have you brought some tea, water, wine, eggs and bacon, a few bites of game, horse meat... Or would you prefer to decline the offer?"

Assuming you ignore him (or send him as usual in search of food - which he will never find), share the Flags and begin following the known path to the next stairs.

3

Without any problems, you reach the stairs that go down to level 3, on which the usual gigantic cobwebs have grown again. Luckily, these cobwebs burn just as well as the previous times and you arrive below.

Crossing the double door still scorched and ajar as you saw it the first time, you enter the area that was completely devastated, centuries ago, by the escaped prisoner.

Nothing seems changed; everything is still as you remembered it... Now the cells all seem empty just as the alcove with the shimmering portal seems empty. However, there remain several doors in this immense hall, which you have not yet opened.

"I might suggest starting with these double doors we passed last time," Roxana says. "We should probably still be wary of that passage to the east though."

"I do agree... perhaps there are still more priisoners behind that doors... how I didn't think about it before?" she ay to herelf in loud voice feeling a little bit guilty and she tries to open the double doors.

"Hold on, let me help you with that," Rash tells Aidwyn with a smile as he joins her in pushing on the door. "Just give us a moment and I'm pretty sure this door will be down in no time... I mean, if it's even locked. Anita... and everyone else... maybe just wait a few paces behind us with crossbows pointed in the direction of the door in case something unpleasant tries to charge us the instant the doors are open."

It takes a minimum of organization and careful distribution of the 4 Kylth's Purple Flags - because anyone who finds themselves in the corridor without the protection of the Flag immediately discovers that the usual thick fog prevents them from seeing. So Aidwyn and Rash hold a Flag each - and try to open the double door, while the others arrange themselves in two rows, in which each row shares a Flag - and whoever can, after having loaded their crossbow, keeps it aimed for precaution.

The double door opens easily, towards you... but a truly bizarre thing happens: as soon as the double door is ajar, a strong wind blows howling along the new corridor, towards the dead end, opening the door wide andraising small clouds of dust, which hinder your vision and irritate your eyes.

Yet none of you feel the violence of this wind at all... except Rash's unfortunate Owl! The little beast, despite clinging with all its strength to its master's shoulder, is completely overwhelmed by the force of the gusts and thrown towards the dead end!

Unless...

(OOC: I'll grant Rash a Dexterity Saving Throw to grab the poor familiar at the last moment, if our wizard wishes to try... If Rash wants to try, Mister_Whisker, please, roll the Saving Throw - else, just tell me you rather not and I'll narrate what happens)

Rash does his best to stop the little fella' from meeting an untimely end!

Dex save: 17 (and, if that still fails, he'll add +4 with Arcane Deflection)

“Oh, nooooo!!!” Anita was already screaming when she saw the little animal knocked over and thrown towards that alcove... in which, during the first visit, Rash had identified a threat!

But the half-orc wizard's hand is as fast as lightning and manages, albeit barely, to grab a paw of the Familiar - and as soon as he does, the wind (which is still blowing, raising dust and hissing) stops to also have an effect on the Owl.

"Rash!" exclaims the ex-Zhentarim, completely relieved "You did great!" and since she is close, she hugs him (with her flagged arm only, so not to break the chain of Flag's protection for the others) "You are truly a wizard full of hidden talents! Not only do you cast spells and wrestle devils... you also have very quick reflexes!"

The wind shows no sign of stopping... but since it isn't affecting any of you now, you can freely move along the new corridor...

"I suppose we head this way, but the wind concerns me," Roxana says. "Wonder if there's some precaution we could take." She looks around for any points they might tie off a rope or for anything they might grab if the wind picks up.

"Or try closing the doors once we're through?" she suggests.

"I think that once again your quick mind has found a good solution..." Gaer smiles at Roxana "Let's put it to test! As soon as we have all passed the double door, you and I will try to close it again".

In fact, Gaer and Roxana, momentarily remaining last, realize that they can close the double door without difficulty, as if the wind were not there... and, once the door is closed, the wind stops completely.

AT THE MANSION:

Seeing by their silence that her employers would prefer she not press this further, Spira sighs heavily.  "Yes, it seems like that would be the best solution for all concerned at the moment.  Our dispute isn't worth spoiling your cousin's  happiness over, or anyone else's."  She carefully removes the bracelet and hands it back to Adran.  "I for one take people as I find them at the time, so I still have hopes that if we should cross paths again whichever one of us is in the wrong will have acknowledged and repented it by then.  In token of that, I think I'll commission a similar bracelet with the sizes and positions of the words exactly reversed.  The acknowledgement could then be as simple as accepting the other's bracelet and destroying one's own."  If no one says anything more, she follows the rest of the group as they depart.

IN THE DUNGEON:

Spira's mind seems troubled by her dispute with Adran, or by her own sudden vehemence, or both.  It has taken her a long time to shake off her daze and she has mostly followed along in uncharacteristic silence.  The sudden near-suctioning of Rash's familiar and the consequent violent action has finally snapped her out of what remains.  "That is passing strange.," she mutters.  "Is your familiar all right, Rash?"

"I expect we'll encounter more strange things as we proceed. But let's move on. Perhaps check the door there on the left that appears to be cracked open?" Roxana suggests. As they move forward, she glances over to Gaer, acknowledging his comment. "You don't have to praise every thing I say, you know," she says with a little grin. 

"Tell something less smart then!" Gaer winks at Roxana, heading towards the chosen door. He smiles, but he is also keeping his crossbow ready...