Vigan

Sitting quietly, listening to the dwarf talk to his companions, Vigan's ears prick up at the mention of a Harper, and he leans forward in his seat, cutting through Ladrian's pessimism.

"I would be honored to deliver word of the attack to Alaestra for you. We share the same goals it seems, and may be able to assist each other."

Rixton:

"On the subject of town defense, I left some of the town's reclaimed weapons by the stairs," I say, pointing back with my chin. "It sounds like you have a number of us willing to carry your message. When it is penned and sealed, we will be ready to go. I will be out preparing my horse."

Morak's face shows his gratitude long before he expresses it with his words. "Thank you, lads. Thank you!"

Turning to Ladrian, he says, "You're welcome to stay, if that's what you're offering. Cloud giants have come and gone, and the goblins won't be menacing anyone now. Could be rather dull around here, I fear." 

"Whatever you can find in the trading post that might be of use, please consider it yours. Stock up before you go. The journey to Triboar is no holiday stroll."

(Keep in mind that the party has already taken supplies from the trading post; so, don't double up on anything that was previously taken)

Rixton:

I head to the now overcrowded stable and find the horse I selected from Xolken''s crew. "I don't know what your name was before," I say as I feed her and handful of hay, "But now it is Viola. I expect we will find enough grass along the way for you."

I head down to the trading post and dig through the jumbled array of goods, pulling out:

A bedroll

A blanket

3 oil flasks

2 days of rations

A two-person tent

A torch

A mess kit.

Rixton:

I secure many of my supplies to the horse, after which I borrow a brush from the stable hand and brush her. She is dusty from the Zhentarim's ride here the day before. I feed her a handful of oats from the stable and leave her tied by the water trough. I then sit on a crate and stroke the head of the flying snake now wrapped around my right forearm. After a time, I allow my mind to clear of thoughts and fall into a shallow trance.

Ladrian

Going to the supplies, Ladrian picks up:

A bedroll

A blanket

2 oil flasks

3 days of rations

A two-person tent

A torch

A mess kit.

"Grab your stuff guys, we're going for a ride "

As the five adventurers prepare for the long road that lies before them, Morak and one of the guards, Torem, help with the gathering of the gear and the preparation of the horses. 

"Five days of riding to Triboar is my guess," remarks Torem. "Head north out of Waterdeep, taking the Long Road. Shouldn't be too much trouble that way, I wouldn't think." 

"Alaestra Ulgar's the proprietor of The Lion's Share, a trading post that does a fair amount of business on the Long Road," explains Morak. Then, handing Vigan a sealed envelope, he continues, "Here's a letter of introduction I've written. Should assure Alaestra that the five of you can be trusted."

A few handshakes later, Morak says his farewell, "May Moradin grant strength to you and weakness to your enemies! A hot meal and a full pint awaits you if you ever return to Nightstone." 

Vigan

Taking the envelope and securing it within the folds of his clothing, Vigan clasps Morak's hand in his own. "Only one pint?", he says with one eyebrow raised. His quizzical look quickly turns into a grin. Giving his own farewell, he adds sincerely, "May Moradin grant you more peace than you've had in recent times, and the strength to rebuild here and prosper."

Mounting his horse, Vigan gives Morak a final nod, before turning to the others. "Waterdeep it is then, let us proceed."

Andor 

"My large friend is correct, we will be sure to have more than one pint with you surely if we come back this way. Farewell and good luck, I think you will be the person this place needs in the coming weeks and months. Do not fear about the message either, we will get it to the Harper. "

The heroes of Nightstone depart the village and within thirty minutes they have turned their horses to the north and are making their way along the Trade Way toward the city of Waterdeep. En route to the City of Splendors, the five adventurers pass by a few other travelers--a merchant with his wares in a small horse-drawn cart, a hunter carrying a pair of dead rabbits by their ears, a traveling minstrel playing his lute while astride a very slow-moving donkey, and, lastly, a family of halflings with seemingly everything they own teetering precariously in an old wagon being pulled by two weary draft horses. When the halfings are asked where they are headed, the matron of the group yells out, "South! And as far from giant country as possible!" 

Roughly ninety minutes after sundown, the five travelers pass through the South Gate of Waterdeep and are immediately greeted by the wide, well-lit, and crowded streets of one of the most prominent and prosperous places in the North. In a moment's glance, one can see guild halls, noble villas, inns, taverns, city buildings, and a dozen different businesses. A bright-eyed but scrawny boy approaches and blurts out, "Good stables up ahead, sirs! A meal and a bed too...just across the street at the Notch."

Rixton:

"The Notch, eh?" I say to the boy. "How many coppers do they toss your way for roping in out-of-towners, boy? We're looking for a sight bit better. I'll make it worth your while. More than the Notch pays you."

Insight: 13 (Eye for Deceit makes this a 14 minimum)

The boy gives off every indication that he's offering to lead the group to legitimate establishments for a fair price. But when he says, "Bringing in the five of you, sir, will fetch me five silvers," Rixton is sure the boy is stretching the truth. "Whatever you need, I know the place," offers the boy. "Blacksmith, silversmith, armor, weapons, potions, books and maps, oddities, boots and clothing,..." he pauses and smiles "...or a night of companionship. I can lead the way. Castle Ward? Sea Ward? Trades Ward? I can show you the fastest way to any ward." 

The boy's persistence is obvious, and it seems as if he may be hard to ignore. 

Rixton:

I smile at the little urchin kindly. "We will be looking for many of those services, yes. I doubt the proprietors of the Notch could afford 5 silvers, but I can pay that much and a little extra if you can lead us to quality accommodations. The Trades Ward or the Sea Ward will do just fine, as long as we can avoid the seedier parts of the city."

I turn to my companions. "Any preferences, gentleman?"

"Excellent!" he replies. "M'name's Mithro, and Trades Ward is just ahead. Plenty to see there. Plenty!" 

Mithro weaves through the urban chaos, running just far enough ahead to make it seem as if he'll become lost in the crowd. But, then, he holds his ground while the five riders catch up with him. He leads everyone on a narrow street to the west and then turns north on a massive street, The Way of the Dragon. 

On the right side of the street, among other things,  you see the glint of fine silver through the window of Krabellors Silversmiths, a tiny parchment-filled shop called Laren's Cartographers, a large tavern called Tamyra's Blessing, an empty storefront for Praestar's Furnishings, and the strange window display at The Medusa's Glare (trinkets; antiques; vials, bottles, and flasks; animal skulls, horns, teeth, and talons; amulets and pendants; and a whole host of other things that are hard to see through the crowd). 

On the left side of the street, among other things, you see a grocer, a large warehouse, a few guildhalls, a tavern called Sturgeon's Mouth, and Piatran's Clothiers. 

"Trades Ward in five minutes," yells Mithro over the din of city. As he promised, the group enters the Trades Ward a few minutes later. The adventurers make note of a few interesting shops--Saern's Fine Swords, Riataur's Weaponry, and Surtlan's Metalwares--before Mithro brings the parade to a stop at The Gentle Rest Inn & Stables. "Here y'are!" Mithro beams. "A very good place for very good people." 

Dismounting his horse Carrow nods his apreciation to the boy "Thank you son" he tosses him two silver of his own for the service. "Theres more where that came from, get these horses tied and fed I'll give you another five, meet us here at first light boy and you can earn some more" Carrow grabs his personal belongings making sure the Gold he acquired in Nightstone was still among his things, he shoulders his pack, his quiver rattling as he does, and turns to the others. "Shall we see if it isn't too late to get a drink gentlemen?"

Rixton:

I also thank the Mithro and give him 4 silver coins. As I lean down to him, I whisper into his ear:

Mithro catches the coins from Carrow, flashes a big smile, and nods his head "First light! Yessir! Horses will be fed and groomed."  After pocketing the additional coins from Rixton, Mithro nods knowingly. 

As he leads the horses around the corner to the stabling area, Mithro calls out, "Ho there, Pike! Five horses to feed and keep warm tonight. If we do things right, lots o' coins'll be comin' our way." 

Rixton:

To Carrow I nod. "I fancy a stiff drink a hot meal. And maybe a soft cushion."

I head into the inn with the others.

"Ale and food sounds perfect, let's get inside and get to it." Andor smiles at the prospect of an evening in a more relaxed setting off the road and out of danger. 

 A decent meal and good night of rest passes without incident and, as promised, the next morning Mithro has five horses fed, groomed, and ready for another day on the road. With a bit of a sullen look on his face, the boy walks up to Rixton and says something to him out of the hearing of the others.

Rixton: