Anachain is eager to move on from here but not to the point of dragging the others on.  She is a bit worried that the longer they delay the more likely it is they somehow get trapped into, or even just expected to, stay and do these rituals for time unknown...  So she is eager to move on and let that burden fall to the townsfolk.  They did their job, solving the mystery... 

"I will... confer with the others" the Darkling leader states before pulling his hood low and exiting the hut. 
Togar finds that Brimwattle is very prepared, his bag of holding has all the materials needed to copy down spells and the gnome shows a certain section toward the front of his spellbook that may be at Togar's level. with materials and time togar is able to copy down one of the spells of his choice into his own spellbook before the others rise from their long rest. (will discuss options in discord)
"I suppose we should give back the items for you to deliver to Windrider, that way she can give them back to you as your payment." Kia states, looking out the window "We can sleep here for the night, make sure Brimwattle doesnt get eaten by wolves and we'll make for town in the morning to negotiate or ongoing pay for the sake of the town and gather resources for these rituals until he's done figuring out what to do... but If you guys are going back today you best leave soon, dusk is in a few hours..." 

The group gather their things and the items that Windrider had loaned to the newcomers, and set off through the trees, past the chernomoi lair and out toward the bridge where all of this started a whole day ago. The journey back is three or four hours but the sight of the town glows warmly as you cross the bridge, the sun settling on a job well done, lingeron on the rooftops of the keep and towers in the town, as candle lights begin to illuminate the window sills and the warm beds of the tavern call.

Ah, Rivermark! Towns were still a novelty to Deniz, and he preferred raw nature to civilisation. But if he had to live in or near a town, this quaint elven settlement would be a pleasant option.

The elf reflects on the last time they were here, and the conflict with Mayor Windrider. Unsure if Togar or the others have changed their attitude in the past day, and expecting them to want to engage immediately with the mayor over rewards, Deniz attempts to steer the group's desires to something more placid. Deniz himself would have been happy washing himself in the stream, but instead suggests:

I understand bathing in hot water is considered relaxing and refreshing, no? Perhaps one of the lodging establishments offers this facility. Could one of you explain the function of... soap?

     Well that explains that smell, Anachain thinks to herself but refrains from commenting.

     "I do believe we still have our rooms.  We should return and unload and then perhaps consider next steps over a drink.  I'm sure they could point us to a bath house or whatever else we may need," she suggests.  

     "Togar!" she says a bit louder in order to draw his attention.  "Just how did your conversation with the mayor go?  They didn't seem like they knew they would need to keep up the rituals perpetually.  Do we need to convince the mayor more or...?"

     If nobody else is leading the group to anything in particular, Anachain does indeed lead them back to the inn and their rooms.  Anyone is free to run off to wherever they wish, of course, but this mission seems mostly done and the sun is falling and drinks and a warm bed are always a good reset.

At the mention of the inn, Kulloda's stomach rumbles and the pace of his walking increase.

"Dirt, blood come off with hot water," Kulloda explains to Deniz as they head to the inn. "Hot better than cold. Hot take dry blood off. Guts, brains. Sometimes oily. Need soap take that off. Muscles feel good in hot water too."

As they walk he thinks about their obligation to the town and shakes his head.

"We tell mayor about rituals. She listen or she ignore. Her town, her problem. Then we get magic and keep looking for Pearl."

Togar has an excited look on his face as he finishes copying a spell into his book.  “Can’t quite do that one yet, but I’ve heard of this spell and it fascinates me!  Excellent!  That should warm up any occasion!  Hah!”  He has a smug look on his face as he finishes the transcription.  Then he starts to notice the others, looking around, seeing the faces and hearing the discussions.  As they make ready to depart, Togar is glad to take his leave of the place.  

As they arrive back in town, Togar focuses on Anachain, responding to the question.  "Well, she was distracted as ever, worried about the town's coffers apparently, they are in a cash flow pinch apparently.  Once I explained the situation, she finally understood and then led me to the people who could help.  She seemed to want the most cost effective solution to the problem.  Ideally, if Brimwattle can dispel the ritual, that would be ideal, but if not, the townsfolk are under the responsibility to continue it to open up the routes of trade again.  The conversation "went" fine, she finally understood after I brought things down a level and explained until I ended up bringing up a pellet.  Quite unnecessary, but there you have it.  I believe that we are entitled to these magical items.  Perhaps we will find them useful in anything that remains."  

As the group enter the Inn, Cassie is there to greet them and informs you all that your board, lodge and food is paid up for the next two days, paid for by one of the guard, Darryl, who's life was saved by the group. Your orders for dinner are taken and you are pointed to a small but practical bath house a short walk from the inn and have free run of the baths for the evening, though apparently certain elvish perfumes are low in supply until the trade route problem is solved. The night is relaxing, Deniz finds that these lumps of soap are made to break down dirt and greases, and they pleasantly smell like fruit.

After a bath and a steam the body relaxes and makes the food at the Inn seem more flavourful and filling than previously, The beds warmer and more comfortable than when you all first stayed there. In the morning it seems productive to meet with mayor windrider and after a long breakfast you make your way to the mayoral keep. On the way there Togar notices movement coming from the blacksmithery where it seems Kedren and Kia have made their way to collect resources for Brimwattle. Kia carries a rolled carpet over one shoulder, their means of travel here and as she spots the group she calls over, "Y'all making your way to Windrider? we need to ge some more things from the gnomes place but we also need to update the mayor, mind if we join ya?"

     "Join away," Anachain agrees with a smile.  "I suppose the mayor may have questions for us all about the situation."

     On the way Anachain will engage Kia and Kedra in chit chat to pass the short walk.  During the chat she eyes the carpet a couple-three times before finally asking what is up with that.  "Trying to make the old druids home more homey?"

Kulloda takes both the steam and the bath, taking some time to get dried blood and gore off his skin, laughing heartily as he watches Deniz discover soap and how slippery it is. And after a mountain of food and a full night's sleep, he's ready to deal with the mayor again.

He does look at Togar over breakfast though and asks "You say have magic. What magic mayor give you?"

As they start towards the mayor and Kedren and Kia ask to join, Kulloda frowns for a moment wondering why they would ask and not just come. "We not own road. You not ask. Just come."

Deniz awakes refreshed and relaxed. He is interested to find out if there is any developments for the welfare of the fey creatures, and hope it hasn't come to self-destruction.

"oh it's brimwattle's" Kia replies to Anachain on the way there, "it flies, that's how we're getting to and from so quick" she states as though it's no big deal. With the pokes and prods in how things are going the group find that the darkling leader had met with his group, and the chernomoi and the quickling's, the fey creatures agreed to have the resurrection part of their curse reversed, but did want Brimwattle to keep trying, apparently if they succumb to the madness in the meantime and are killed then they accept that, Kia sighs as she tells you all this. "I don't think Brimwattle wants to do it, and it puts more pressure on is to keep up the rituals, not that there wasn't pressure in the first place, the thought of those quickling's going mad sends shivers down my spine... I don't think Brimwattle thought through his suggestion."

As you guys arrive at the mayoral keep one of the guards at the gate is Darryl, and he gives the group a thankful nod and a grin as you all walk by, letting you pass without issue, staying very professional and all that.

Togar turns to Kulloda and says “As I said before, the mayor gave me a feather token, which might be useful if I'm ever knocked out while flying in the air, it'll allow me to descend to the ground without damage.  And some dust of disappearance.  Not sure what I'd use that for yet.  But there were other things, a shield, whatnot.  Kia and Kedra had them, to assist in our task.  Let's find the mayor, we can bring her up to speed and make sure of our reward before more work is done."  Togar nods to Darryl and walks toward where he last saw the mayor.

Mayor Windrider is easily found behind her desk sorting paperwork and looking stressed as per usual, she looks up to see you all enter and... smiles? "come! come! I heard that you were all back and nobody came to report so I assumed that there was no urgent business which can only be a good thing right? Right?" 

Kia wastes no time interrupting the business you all have, with her own concerns, "You wanted us to go for a days job and I know the money was more than fair but now we've gotten roped into staying there to maintain the rituals of some creatues whilst Brimwattle experiments or else the town gets cut off again... I wanna know what you're gonna do about it?" Kedren nods, reinforcing his wife's words as he has none of his own that seem appropriate. Windrider seems prettys sideswiped by this interruption and clears her throat, "I uhhhh, Well, yes this situation was no going to be an easy one, you were informed of everything that I personally had knowledge of when I assigned the task, I can see what we have in the way of reimbursment for your time and efforts, but I won't be able to promise an exact sum right now... Brimwattle did not accept payment for the task of assisting in saving the town and it's people, is he complaining of a similar situation?" Windrider offers along with a half assed attempt at guilt tripping. Kia remains steadfast, "Brimwattle has a mouth and enough brains to talk to you himself, I'm not here for him. The lowest I'll take is... five gold a day between Kedren and I for as long as it takes, deal?" and before Windrider can argue, Kia strides forward taking the mayor's hand and shakes it, confirning the deal as windrider sighs exasperated but resigned.  Kia and Kedren give the group a nod before leaving and resuming their tasks.

"so, how fares the road? did you get back the items??" she asks apprehensively.

Kulloda stares at the mayor then looks at the others.

"What items?" Kulloda asks. "You ask open bridge. We open bridge. Maybe stay open maybe not. Depend on town now."

"come! come! I heard that you were all back and nobody came to report so I assumed that there was no urgent business which can only be a good thing right? Right?" 

     "Well we know what a..." Anachain begins but drops off as Kia had already begun talking.  So Anachain smiles politely and listens instead.  After Kia and the mayor finish their... negotiations... Anachain opens her mouth to answer once more but Kulloda is quicker this time.  Once again Anachain offers a friendly smile and, similar to Kedren, she offers a nod of affirmation and support to back up Kulloda's words.

     "Apologies if there was not clear communication between you and Togar but the problem at the bridge with the rituals is indeed an ongoing one.  We were happy to find a solution to the problem but, as you know, we are on a bigger quest and cannot dedicate ourselves to an unending problem for your city..." Anachain explains softly and with a tone of compassion that is a bit unusual for her.

     "From what he said, Brimwattle does sound optimistic he can find a final solution but until then the rituals need to be done and as there is no definitive end date we're afraid the task does indeed belong to the city and it's population rather than ourselves.  As for getting the items back...  As Kulloda so eloquently put it:  What items?"  Anachain looks from the mayor to Togar and then slowly back again.

Diplomacy check:  Nat 1 +5 for 6.  I guess her tone wasn't as compassionate and diplomatic as she intended.
(basically just a charisma check..)

Deniz hadn't taken much notice at the time, being consumed with thoughts of the long-term welfare of the fey creatures. But now he recalls Togar mentioning something about magical items and being entitled to them. He also looks to Togar to respond to the mayor in this regard. Otherwise, Deniz has little else to say on the matter, until he hears from Brimwattle on his progress.