"Easy now Sparky", Holg said in a humorous, yet condescending tone after seeing the bolts generating from her mouth. "We just have to be cautious. My halfling friend here is quick to help anyone in need. I admire his selflessness, but someone needs to look out for him." Holg put extra emphasis on the word friend, hoping that Jodon would sense his slow liking to the halfling and that Holg meant nothing more than keeping Jodon and Dathyra safe. He was learning to rely on them as valuable allies in this mystery. "It seems we are all trying to learn more about what is going on here. Perhaps you could assist us with our task."

 Mijira quickly takes the water from the halfling and drains much of it. In response to the half orc she says, "What task would that be? I do not even know you three." Quickly realizing she might have sounded like an ass, she adds, "That does not mean that I am ungrateful. Truly, I am."

"A ringmaster, how...odd," Dathyra said. "First two missing men, a man who raises the dead, and now this. I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever find any answers." She was at least willing to believe that the dragonborn would do them no harm, but she felt they had only dug themselves further into this mystery. "We were sent here by a man who believes the owner of this manor and a friend of his have gone missing. But, it seems we've gotten tangled in business far stranger than I think any of us could have imagined. Any assistance at all would be appreciated. We've already had one companion abandon us. If things only continue to get worse, we may be in a real bind."

"Easy, easy...not too fast or you will send it right back up," Jodon says to the dragonborn, as he pulls out some of his rations.  "Now, chase that with a little bit of food -- again, slowly, unless you want to see it again - while we talk and see to the rest of these chains."  He flashes a grateful smile at Holg.  "And my half-orc friend means you no insult.  He may be right that I jump in too quickly, but I have come to trust his wisdom when it comes to focus and caution," he continues, as he offers food directly to Mijira's recently sparking mouth.  "Perhaps, so will you."

Holg looked towards Dathyra. He could feel a sense of frustration and exhaustion begin to collect over the party. "Aye, we definitely have more questions than answers at this point. Perhaps we finish searching this house for anyone else and then return to the Tapped Keg? Mijira here could use a proper nights rest and we may be able to get some answers to our questions elsewhere. You still have that symbol from the body don't know? Maybe Kelbin knows something about it."

She nodded. "I do, yes. There are a few places back by the tavern where I can ask around. And, if worse came to worse, I could write my brother back in Sundabar. He always had a head for religious history and holy symbols. Course, it would take a while for a letter to get there and back. I wouldn't do it unless we were desperate." She looked around the cold room. "So, which way from here? Surely, we've caused enough commotion for someone to notice, or at least for them to go looking for their missing associates."

Mijira takes the food offered in her hand and gives the little halfling a thankful nod. "I agree with your large friend. I could use some rest, but more importantly I need my things. Maybe I can stay there for the night and meet you all somewhere in the morning?" Mijira moves out of the room onto the balcony and asks sort of to herself and sort of to the party, "What the hell is all this?"

"I agree with Holg.  We found one person in need of help.  There may be others, in rooms, or even in that pit.  It would be irresponsible not to check before Wendel's curse-bringer comes back."

"Speaking of whom, we cannot just leave him here, either.   If only we had an animal - we have an empty cart hanging right there, after all!"

Dathyra weighed their options. Indeed, it would be in their best interest to continue their search. If they came back the next day, chances were that whoever was still in the house would take even more precautions to prevent prying eyes. On the other hand, they really weren’t in a place to continue, especially if danger lay ahead. They were worn out from all their other exertions, and needed fresh eyes on their situation. Plus, now they had two people to worry about who were in no condition to fight: Wendel and this former prisoner. She put a comforting hand on Mijira’s shoulder. “Only if you’re up for it,” she said to her. “And yes, it is a risk, but I’d hate the thought of leaving Wendel here. This person who laid a curse on him would surely know he had tried to talk if they saw his condition now. But yes, I’ll join the search if the rest of you are certain.”

Jodon looks up at Holg, expectantly.  "You know, if we had a vote, I would be charging through rooms looking for people.  My people are easily hidden; perhaps I could even sneak from place to place.  I know you have a clearer head for these things, just like I am starting to learn rushing in sometimes leads to more victims instead of more rescues.  I do not want to leave anybody behind, but, should you think it best, I will follow."

He looks thoughtful for a second at Mijira.  "Though, if we perform even a brief search, there might be a sword and some level of protection for you in the room below."

"We've come this far. May as well finish what we started. As long as we don't jump down any holes we should be alright". Holg takes the shortsword he acquired from the man downstairs and hands it to Mijira. "I take it you know how to use one of these? There is some leather armour downstairs from where that came from."

Mijira takes the shortsword from the half orc with a nod and then takes a moment to don the armor from the man downstairs. He wasn't going to need it anymore and she didn't mind taking it. The weapon felt good in her hands. She felt a great degree of hopelessness chained to that hook but now she was free again. These strangers could have just as easily left her there to die. She addresses the party as a whole, "I will help you with what you are doing here because it affected me directly and I am indebted to your kindness. Beyond that I cannot say. Let's see where this goes. By your lead...?" The last statement is directed at the half orc but she does not know anyone's name yet.

Looking around the top floor, the balcony wraps around the lower floor in an "n" shape. There are two open doors on the side above the kitchen, one open, one closed set of double doors in the center of where the steps should be and two doors on this leg of the balcony. The second door the party hasn't been to on this side is closed.

Holg moves to the closed door on their current side of the balcony and attempts to open it.

The door is made of heavy, black oak with a steel, lever type handle. Pushing on the handle does nothing. This door is locked.