The rest of the party make their way inside. Upon seeing Kiza the innkeeper doesn't bat an eye but, upon Flint's arrival, there is a distinct change in his temperament.
"There's beer an' ale," he says a bit gruffly. "No dwarven spirits in these parts." 
He takes the orders and rushes off the the kitchen.

The common room is quiet as you wait. 
The three men sitting together appear to be finishing up their meal. If they do say anything it is in hushed tones.

The old man too remains quiet. His head is tilted and he appears to be staring into his soup. 
Essendrum watches and thinks he spies the perfect time to strike up a conversation when the old man lets out a scream that echoes throughout the common room.
"SERVICE!" he yells at the top of his lungs. 
The three men reactively grasp the hilts of their rapiers and stare at the old man.
"I'm coming I'm coming," is heard coming from the kitchen. 
The portly innkeeper shuffles out of the kitchen, making his way to the old man. 
"You need to stop screaming so loud Findle." the innkeeper scolds the man. "You're spooking my customers. Now what do you want?" he asks.
The old man leans forward and whispers something to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper sighs deeply then turns and comes to your table.
"Findle would like it kindly if you'd stop staring at him." he tells Essendrum. 

Enoch glanced over towards the old man's table, confused, then gave a look of incredulity toward Essendrum. "Well, that's... rather disturbing," he said in a low voice. "Let's hope the man doesn't need anything after we've all gone to bed!"

Essendrum says to Enoch in a whisper obviously meant to be overheard, “Hedge wizards are notoriously eccentric.  They are primarily to blame for many unfortunate misconceptions of our craft.”

He smiles at the innkeeper.  “As long as you bring our food directly from the kitchen, I shall nor even look in the direction of the dotard.  I have stared sufficiently to learn all I need know.”

Enoch's eyes widened slightly and he quickly developed a cough that seemed to be--almost--preventing a smirk from forming on his lips.

When the food is brought, Essendrum thanks the inkeeper and asks Jorge to tell Findle he would like a word and promises to keep his eyes averted at all times.

While giving the innkeeper a moment to reply and Findle a moment to consider, Essendrum dips his finger in the soup and draws the Draconic symbol for magic on the table in front of him with a line extending out toward the table of three men and another toward Findle. He then picks up his bowl and mug, walks over to Findle’s table with his eyes downcast.  He carefully avoids looking at Findle or his soup and sips his own meal.  After taking a sip he says loudly, “as I have done you a favor, old man, I hope you will do me one and share some news of the road.”

More quietly over a spoonful of soup, Essendrum says in Celestial, “I have a professional matter to discuss.”

Essendrum engages Findle in a whispered conversation if possible, preferably in a language not known to most if Findle will admit to knowing any. In any event he will again say nothing of the stone, but inquire if Findle has heard tell of any fire giants in the area practicing sorcery or consorting with dragons.  If he can draw the old codger out he’ll talk the evening away with him on matters arcane.  If Findle absolutely refuses to engage, Essendrum will return to the party.

Essendrum does his best to engage Findle in a conversation but the madman doesn't seem to want any of it. 
As soon as Essendrum sits down, Findle turns around on his bench and puts his back to the wizard.
(Essendrum roll for Perception please.)

Jorge leaves and comes back several times. Each time he tries not to but ends up staring at Flint.

An argument in hushed tones suddenly erupts from the table of three men. It is so intense that all three grasp the hilts of their rapiers and glare at one another.

The door bursts open and a blast of cold air fills the room. The force of the wind is so powerful that it threatens to blow out the flames in the hearth. 

Everyone roll Perception, please. 

Bjorn sees the Draconic symbol on the table in front of Essendrum and recognizes the word.  He pauses his meal to take a swig of ale and ponder the reason while the mage heads over to his target.  Bjorn tries to act nonchalant while to listen intently the whispered Celestial conversation.

Passive Perception 16, roll: 17 

Essendrum’s perception when Findle turns away: 7

Essendrum’sperception when the door blows open: 17

Passive perception:16

Wow!  Two critical successes! I’m Observant!

(( Enoch's Perception Check: 4 ))

Don’t worry, a Frost Giant will probably rip off the roof soon and you’ll notice THAT!  If not, I’ll leave you a cryptic note in soup.

Kiza Perception

4

Flint's Perception:  18

Flint looks up from his fancy dwarven mug, a Tankard of Plenty where he has been drinking fine Dwarven ale even though this inn has none to supply.

Essendrum: 

Enoch and Kiza are so involved with the split pea soup that they notice little else. 

Essendrum, Flint, and Bjorn abruptly turn towards the door. They can hear faint laughter in the wind.  The voice sounds like it's familiar but it can't be. You have heard the voice only once, in the town of Triboar. It is the voice of the Giant you killed. 

The three men at the table turn when the door burst open.
Jorge rushes to the door and closes it. "The latch on the door has needed fixing for months now," he says as he shuts the door and latches it. "I can't find a decent carpenter to fix it." 
He turns and smiles at everyone then rushes off to the kitchen again. The three men turn back to their meal. 

Actions?

Slurping down the rest of his soup, Enoch burps and then looks towards the kitchen, trying to catch Jorge's attention to ask for more.

Flint:

His good mood ruined by the reminder, Flint moves, tankard in hand, to the door and opens it, looking out into the growing darkness for any sign of the giant.

Perception:  12

Essendrun walks back to the party, casting Mage Armor on himself as he goes.  He sits and eats his soup while speaking quietly to the group.

”That madman seems to have a familiar with tentacles.  He doesn’t look like a sea elf to me so I doubt it is an octopus.  I’d counsel leaving this place at once but I fear we might not like what we found outside.  It is an ill storm that echoes with the voices of the dead.  Stay wary.”

Essendrum looks through the eyes of his raven (sheltered outside in an upstairs window) to see if he sees anything approaching.

Quote from LafcadiotheLion >>

Essendrun walks back to the party, casting Mage Armor on himself as he goes.  He sits and eats his soup while speaking quietly to the group.

”That madman seems to have a familiar with tentacles.  He doesn’t look like a sea elf to me so I doubt it is an octopus.  I’d counsel leaving this place at once but I fear we might not like what we found outside.  It is an ill storm that echoes with the voices of the dead.  Stay wary.”

Essendrum looks through the eyes of his raven (sheltered outside in an upstairs window) to see if he sees anything approaching.

 Essendrum's raven was forced to take shelter inside the stable. The winds are definitely picking up and the rain is becoming more intense and the raven was unable to remain int eh upstairs window. It reports it has not seen anything but feels uneasy about the storm. 

Flint looks out. The storm appears to be picking up and flashes of lightning illuminate the night sky. The clouds are a deep blue, in the flashed light. He sees little else. 

Enoch sees and signals Jorge. The innkeeper waves and nods but does not leave the kitchen yet. 

The three men get up from their table and leave, going to the northwest corner of the common room and going through an open doorway. You can hear their footfalls as they climb the stairs. 

When the footfalls of the three men can not be heard anymore, the old man stands and makes his way to the open doorway. His footfalls are much lighter and after about the 5th one, he can not be heard. 

The party finds themselves in the common room alone. 
Jorge comes out, bringing more soup for the famished paladin. He places the tray of bread and soup on the table and asks:
"So will you be staying the night?"

Feeling a bit uneasy, but not really knowing why, Enoch gives a half-shrug then looks towards the others. "Well, if we don't want to go back into the storm, it makes sense to stay, yeah? Sure, sir, we'll be staying." The paladin smiles, as much to satisfy Jorge and get him to leave as to confirm his statement. Once the man left, Enoch had every intention of asking Essendrum some questions about what he was picking up.