"Ready for dinner?" JUrgen says. You can see his face returning back to a more optimistic kobold than the last couple days.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stop by my house before we go to the inn," Bryony says. "It's the farm just across the way. Anyone is free to join me if you like. Otherwise, I can meet you all at the inn in an hour or so."

 Syzygy’s drags Redbrand refuse out of the cottage. It’s hardly made a difference, not much better than the goblin cave but at least he has a chance to eyeball a few measurements for future repairs. He wondered who owned the box of carpentry tools he found earlier. 
Now that the smell of burning flesh subsided, Syzygy felt his appetite return. As did his focus in rescuing Gundren. Syzygy waits a little longer at the cottage to see if anyone returns before then heading off to get food and his owed compensation. 

And unless anyone had further business with Sister Garaele, the party indeed rejoins Syzygy at the ruined cottage, now cleared of its immediate layer of squatter trash. It is perhaps an hour before sunset (which sets relatively late this time of year.)

And while Syzygy and Jurgen are hungry for dinner, Bryony has a personal errand she wants to run first, at Alderleaf Farm. Who would like to join her? And who is heading straight to the inn? Or does anyone have any other errands?

"Bryony, do you want company on your errand?" Jurgen asks. He's thinking we could all join her and then go off to the Inn.

"Sure, Jurgen, that would be nice," Bryony says, smiling at the kobold. "I know my cousin Carp would love to meet you. He's never met a kobold before."

"Great." He says with more enthusiasm than of late. 

"I'd like to tag along too, if that's alright? Best we keep together while in town. Shall we?"

"Of course," Bryony says. "Let's go!"

With the others following her, Bryony makes her way across the road to the Alderleaf farm. She walks up to the front door and with only slight hesitation raps her knuckles three times. Even though this is her home, it has been two years since she's been here, and she and her Aunt Qelline did not part on the best of terms. Her aunt did not approve of her desire to become an adventurer and thought she was setting a bad example for her cousin Carp. Bryony was determined to prove to her aunt that she could be a good example for her cousin, that the life of an adventurer could be a noble one about helping people and righting wrongs, which she intended to start doing by getting rid of the Redbrand threat in town.

Quinn follows the group from the rear, being sure to keep an eye out for anyone looking to cause any trouble. As Bryony approaches the door, Quinn stays behind taking in views of the farm.

The Alderleaf Farm is on another side road, parallel to the road to Tresendar Manor (upon which Sir Roderick's cottage lies.) But Bryony knows all the shortcuts, including a path through the ruins to the south, along an ancient stone wall, and beside a field full of maturing vegetables. Much has changed in Phandalin during Bryony's absence, but this path has not.

You are soon warmly greeted by Qelline Alderleaf, still laboring among her crops. She hugs Bryony, and wiping away tears, invites the group inside for tea.

Qelline seems to be a wise and pragmatic halfling farmer and is certainly a kind host. Her son, Carp, a young halfling lad covered in dirt, quietly appears. He watches you warily. (Quinn recognizes him as the boy who witnessed their fight with the Redbrands a few hours earlier.)

"It's been so long, Bry!" crows Qelline. "I'll get your bed made up and some soup on. Your friends can sleep in the hayloft if they want. How long are you in town?"

"Look at you," she continues, not waiting for an answer, her tone shifting slightly. "You've got blood on your scabbard. You been in a fight? You hurt? You okay?"

Quinn lingers outside, watching for trouble. There seems to be nothing of concern at the moment. The sun is beginning to sink into the hazy dark clouds in the west.

Kimberley stayed at the rear she knew the halfling family in passing but had not yet got around to giving them any pamphlets.

She was quiet and listened while they caught up.

Tired of the cottage’s sorry state, Syzygy follows Byrony to Alderleaf farm. He politely introduces himself to the Alderleafs and sips his tea, grateful for the hospitality. 

Tears begin to well up in Bryony's eyes as Aunt Qelline hugs her. She thought her Aunt would be mad at her, but here she was welcoming her home like nothing had happened, like she was just glad to see her.

"I'm sorry, Auntie," Bryony says, wiping at her eyes. "I didn't mean to leave the way I did. I'm not sure how long I'll be in town. I got hired to escort a wagon full of goods to Barthen."

Bryony glances down at her bloodied scabbards. "We had a run in with the Redbrands," she explains. Her tears dry as her anger at the brigands reignites. "How long have they been pushing people around, Auntie? It isn't right! Why hasn't the Mayor done something about them?"

"Oh, let me introduce you to my friends as well," says Bryony. She introduces each in turn. "We just met Kimberly in town. We also lost a friend on the way into town. Sir Roderick. His cottage isn't too far. You might have known him I think. That was goblins though." Bryony proceeds to tell the story of the events that have occurred since leaving Neverwinter.

When Bryony spots her cousin, her eyes light up. "Carp!" She runs over to give him a hug. "Come meet my new friends."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Jurgen Droganson and I am a member of Bryony's party. Thank you for your hospitality." 

Qelline grows uncomfortable at the mention of Sir Roderick, and pales at the mention of his death.

"Oh, oh... Yes, I knew a Sir Roderick. I didn't know he had land here. I'm... I'm sorry to hear of his loss. Goblins? Oh! ...How on earth did you cross paths with Sir Roderick?"

"But those Redbrands, yes, they've haunted these parts for a long while, but they've gotten much worse in recent months. Harassing folks, making life miserable. Harbin's the current townmaster, and he's too scared of them to try to do anything."

"Goblins," interrupts Carp, who looks tense and nervous. "I seen some strange goblins with glowing hands duck into the secret Redbrand tunnel. You gonna get the rest of 'em? You need help?"

Qelline pours more tea. She seems pale and shaken, or maybe just a little aged in Bryony's absence. "I'm sorry I don't have more beds to offer," Qelline finally says to her other guests. "But the hayloft is clean. I can bring some blankets. It gets pretty cold at night here."

Kimberley watched Qellines reaction to the death of the man she had just buried....there was a story or two there....

She frowned as the young lad mentioned goblins and Redbrand in the same breath, was there a link there.

She came forward and pressed some scrolls into Qellines hand, " Some words of comfort from the Moon Maiden."

" I'm thankful for the offer of the hayloft, but I fear our presence here may draw the Redbrands eyes your way.....though if they know that you are related to Bryony it may be too late for that already..."

“Ahem,” Syzygy clears his throat, “No need to worry these good folk with dire ‘if’s’. But you’re right, we’re now likely targets for Redbrand bullying and it’s probably best we don’t allow our problem to spill onto the farm.” 

Syzygy then looks to Carp. “Goblins with glowing hands you say? We will certainly investigate. You’ve already been immense help.” Syzygy pauses. “You said a Secret Redbrand tunnel?”

"Yeah," replies Carp. "I was playing in the woods near the Manor when I found a secret tunnel in a thicket. Then I saw some strange goblins with glowing hands go in. Another time a couple of big scary bandits came out of the tunnel and met with a pair of Redbrands. They didn’t see me, but it was close. I think the bandits have a secret lair under there. You want me to take you there? I have a scimitar!"

"You're not going anywhere with that scimitar, and definitely not near wherever this tunnel is," replies Qelline. "Let me get some soup on," she continues, addressing the rest of you, standing to find you some food.

Kimberley asked politely to see the scimitar, meeting the mothers eyes part way through to ask permission...