Jorace looks to you, his smile slowly fading. "Why, abducted?! I didn't realize she was abducted! Ran away, stolen away for love, yes. Abducted?!" his hands are trembling and his spoon begins clattering against his bowl, drawing the eyes of some of the guards and other servants in the hall. "She-she's just a child! She shouldn't even have wine! Yes, I recall! I told the Lord Oglethorn she shouldn't have wine at dawn, but he insisted!" he begins yelling now, his lips trembling and food completely forgotten. "The poor thing! Abducted!"

At this point a young woman, dressed in plain clothes comes over and holds him by the shoulders. "What's wrong, Papa?" the woman asks, very obviously concerned. "The Lady was abducted last week! Oh! If we cannot protect the youth that we do not deserve them!" he stammers into her shoulder.

The woman looks to you, Aracynth, scornful "Why did you torment him? He does not deserve this!" She huffs and holds him tight. "Begone! My father is a respected man, you cannot treat him this way! Guards!" She yells for the small group of guards sitting at the side of the room who begin marching toward you. She picks up Jorace, sobbing now, and shuffles past you, whispering in your ear as she passes.

Whispers:

Aracynth sat stunned by Jorace's outburst. Before he could even attempt to make amends the man was escorted away, and the guards were nearing with darkened looks. 

Aracynth rose, scaled palms proffered in submission. "My deepest apologies, gentlemen. I meant no harm or ill. I shall see myself out." He rose slowly so as not to startle anyone further, and left without hesitation.

Kynortas listened to Rod's stories. Then he listened to more stories. As the stories kept flowing he finished his food and sat there continuing to listen. The endless flow of monotonous dross that spewed from his mouth reminded him of the fountain that spontaneously started flowing with feces in an old legend from his homeland due to a curse.

A nobleman of the town angered an enchantress and she cursed the town by making bullshit spew from the fountain and from the noble's mouth every time he spoke unless it was an apology. To cure the curse he would have to apologize to everyone he ever wronged. The town's choices were to kill the nobleman or have him pacify the witch. They chose to kill the nobleman. The town really liked their very well carved fountain and it gave everyone fresh water. They needed water and didn't have time to wait for the nobleman to stop being a fool.

Kynortas was contemplating similar options when Tharin came over and kindly dismissed Rod. Kynortas walked over with Tharin and heard his request. Aracynth joined them partway through the conversation.

"While meeting your people seems interesting, I would like us to resolve the situation here first. I was injured by skeletons, attacked by assassins, and I was injured by those invisible monsters on the path to the castle and they spoke of a master. I would like to repay this master for my injuries several fold... with my bare hands around his throat. I also would like to investigate the swamp on the way to your city. I have heard rumors around the town of evil fiends possibly living there. It is a personal mission of mine to kill demons wherever I may find them. Once I do those things I would be happy to work with you, meet some allies in arms, and destroy this criminal you speak of."

Fizzbang piped up suddenly and startled Aracynth. Kynortas acknowledged his presence kindly. He liked Fizzbang. He was a good man and fun to drink with.

Kynortas turns to Aracynth after he finishes speaking and says, "I will join you on your trip to the castle." He followed Aracynth and listened as Jorace suddenly cried out in distress. The reaction caught him by surprise. He did not resist as the guards came to take him and his companion out of the room, but he did notice the Jorace's daughter whisper something quickly to Aracynth as she went past. Kynortas did not hear what she said.

The guards unceremoniously shove you toward the door. None of them grab you or physically throw you, but you get the impression that they would certainly try given the need. Once outside the castle please make a perception check. (Aracynth... and Kynortas if he catches up.)

Aracynth paused moment after his cordial dismissal. He checked everything over to make sure nothing was missing, and looked around the courtyard while considering what to do next.

Perception : 2

Patting your pockets quietly you notice the Duke walking across the yard by himself. No guards, no family, but it is distinctly the Duke Oglethorn in plain, black robes striding purposely toward the castle. He is about 75’ from you, walking diagonally toward, but likely behind, you toward the castle walls  

The guards outside the castle eye you quietly, grabbing for weapons after they noticed your grumpy escort. They make no move to draw them, but watch you carefully. 

Kynortas was surprised by the reaction, but did not feel as if anything was missing on himself. He noticed the guards tensing by the exit and put his hands on Aracynth's shoulder to get his attention. He gently steers Aracynth away and mentions quietly.

DM/Aracynth:

Tharin:

As Aracynth and Kynortas make their way back to the Crossroads Inn, they find that their companions are nowhere to be found. Fizzbang had mentioned shopping and Tharin had mentioned travel... as you wait, Aracynth mentions what Jorace's daughter hastily told him as she rushed past. 

You have the day ahead of you, what would you like to do?

Tharin:

 Fizzbang: You begin making your way back out of the shop, book in hand(s as it's large...) and begin thumbing through it while you stroll back to the Crossroads Inn. Please roll a perception check.

As the day wore on, and with the smaller of their companions off on whatever errands they had, Aracynth decided to visit the town smithy to maintain the condition of his arms and see what other wares the blacksmith might have. He told Kynortas as much, and that he didn't expect to be long on his errand.

"I also would like to visit the blacksmith. I would like to spend some of our well-gotten gains on some new equipment. What I left home with....." Kynortas eyes lose focus as memories flash to the fore of his mind.

For DM:

Kynortas's eyes refocus.

"I mean to say the equipment I have is not quite what I am used to. It would be wise to purchase some new things."

At the blacksmith Kynortas would like to do the following transaction:

Buy: Splint, Warhammer, Javelin x 4, Spear

Sell: Chain Mail, Crossbow, Light, Crossbow Bolts x 15

Kynortas also suggests a trip to a general goods or adventuring goods store. If such a store is in town he would like to do the following transaction:

Buy: Rope, Silk (50 feet), Pouch, Lantern, Bullseye, Oil (Flask) x 8, Rations (1 day) x 3

Sell: Torch x 10, Rope, Hempen (50 feet)

Kynortas, the two shops you know of are Kulgoth, the Armorer, and Eyani, the Merchant. Jaunting off to Kulgoth first you inquire about his wares and find that he is quite the able craftsman.

"I use what my mother knew of orcish-made steel. Add to that my father's perfectionist and adaptable human nature, and there you have it. I'm proud of my work. Thus my prices aren't cheap," the half-orc informs you. He's well kept and well spoken for someone of such a gruff looking nature. His apron is dirty, but his grey-green skin has no scars or burn marks; he's very careful. "I can make any armor, weapons you'll have to settle for what I've got in stock," he pauses and glances about a bit. "Ok, so, splint, a hammer, four javelins, and a spear.... that's... 230 plus 18, plus 3 gold for the others. Minus what you intend to sell... at 20 for the crossbow and bolts and 65 for the chain mail... puts you at 166 gold pieces to me. Deal?"

Next, at Eyani's, she refuses to buy the torches, but offers 5 gold for the hemp rope. "Now... the other stuff, lemme look about! I don't do rations, just talk to Rod about those, but I do have a lantern and some oil... no silk rope either. Pouches? I've got tons! What size?!" she smiles up at you. "For the lamp and oil, plus a medium pouch (holds 40 sling bullets) that'll run you 12 gold."

Kynortas replies to Kulgoth, "Sounds like a fair deal to me." He hands over the gold and takes his new purchases off their racks and shelves. He follows the smith to be fitted for the armor.

After the armor is completed and fitted he moves and tests the feel of it. Kynortas is still playing with the straps and getting the fit absolutely perfect when he and Aracynth arrive at Eyani's. They negotiate a deal and Kynortas has finished his purchases except for his rations and rope. He could get the rope another time and the rations later at the inn.

"Where to next Aracynth? Did you have anything you wanted to buy or do?"

Tharin stepped out into the street.  Shaking his head, he headed back toward the Inn, bracing himself for the inevitable outbursts at the price.  However, the needs of the Kingdom outweighed their needs.  The criminals in Ptolemos must be brought to justice.  He strode his way back to the inn, jaw set.