"That's...disturbing..." The commander says as he holds his head, "No point to search for bodies if they were thrown out...their bodies just splatter against the ground and have their equipment picked off by scavangers or the like. But no struggle...that just bodes badly."

After a moment of silence he looks to you all, "Tell me, what would you all do to resolve yourselves of any crimes you may have committed."

"Something tells me you already have something in mind." 

Aidan continues to lean against the wall with his arms crossed. 

“Free of all crimes? Hell, I’m down for whatever you got,” Nate says.

Gaèl slightly shakes his head, looking down a little. "Crimes...how often do i need to tell you people? It was a catenation of unfortunate events, i never ment to harm nobody...but well, what do you expect us to do?"

Liana crosses her arms as her companions speak. She finally asks, "Yes sir, what would you have us do to be absolved of our 'crimes'?"

Sorry, yes, I was on vacation and just realized that I do not believe I notified this group of that. I apologize for that oversight!

Lilliana listens quietly for a few moments. "I feel we have done much already to absolve some of our group from their crimes." She glances over at Aidan. "Some of us, perhaps, have more to do to make up for the choices we made. That said, I will do much to avoid the punishment of my crime and remain free. Name your price, sir, and I will decide whether I will agree."

"Simple task really, you are to find that Aarakocra. If she is still in the vicinity, she might try with another ship. And I ask that you all capture her, not kill her. We need her alive for questioning." The commander says, "For now, I can just notify my guards of the assignment you've all been given. Meaning you will have temporary freedom to hunt her down. But any crimes during this time will cause us to take action against you."

"But sir, why?" the captain asks

"Because captain, if we do not find her, we'll have to suspend the council then. All the other cities will head back and be on high alert. Hell, the Orc King might even go on a bloody crusade on the pirates. And we'll be stuck in the middle of all that ship warfare. We don't need that right now just because of that one escaped pirate. We need her found by the end of the day."

"Tracking down a single individual, that can fly no less, in a city the size of Aerovail, sounds impossible in and of itself. Doing so by the end of one day is plain ridiculous. Unless you have some kind of clue to give us a start in the right direction."

"First of all, she is wounded. She'll need time to rest or risk being caught during her flight. Second is she'll need a place to sleep then, I can't think of anywhere else but the industrial or the poor districts. Third being a few of you know those districts and where...others of your sort can go be fixed up or lay low. That's a good start for now. I'd say the poor district will be a good place to start. A few of them would be willing to turn a blind eye for coin, no doubt." The commander says.

Aidan bristles at the commender's assumptions about the people of the poor district, but doesn't say anything further.

"We're feelin' a little judgemental today, huh." Gaèl shakes his head a little. "And what if we find the damn bird? You're saying that is the only thing you want us to do and we're free after it?"

"Then let us waste no more time. We shall hunt this woman down and return her to you for questioning. After that, we are all pardoned?" She also asks, backing up Gael's question with her own.

"You have my word. I'll destroy any records of your crimes and be sure to reward you all for swift action. In the meantime I'll be having my men safeguard our ships. I'll have a carriage take you to either of the districts. You just need to tell the driver." The commander moves out from behind his desk, strapping on his shortsword. "And I'll say that if any of the guards find you comitting a crime, then the deal is off. That being said, I wish you all good luck."

Aidan maintains a stern, somewhat reluctant expression on his face.

"Okay. If we are really going to attempt this, who among us knows anyone in either district that might be able and willing to help us?"

Aidan looks about at all the other "prisoners" in the room.

"Any ideas?"

Nate says, “I might be able to talk to some people, but I can’t guarantee they’ll let me find them with guards following the whole time.” 

"I don't believe the guards will be following us so closely," Liana offers. She strokes the chin of the mask, "No. I think they will be watching us from their usual posts. Maybe a few will be on our tail, but I think they know better than to get too close. We have to use our reputations as rapscallions to catch this birdie, and they should be aware we'll need some space to breathe.

By the by, I am well connected in certain districts. I have no doubt that the people themselves would be willing to help us in our endeavor. Any who safeguard the bird would surely turn against them after hearing they nearly committed a genocide!" She waggles a finger with her last few words.

Aidan nods to both Nate and Liana.

"Then I will follow either of your lead."

"Yeh, go ahead...i dont normally bother my...clients for reasons like this..." Gaèl shrugs and looks a little uncomfortable.

As you all leave the castle, a more shabby carriage pulls up to the courtyard. 

"Ey! I'm here for some...-mumble mumble-, a greenskin, a few elfy types, and a couple of humans! Ain't got all day!" An elderly dwarf man shouts out as he looks around. The guards at the castle's doors looks towards your group but don't say anything.