(Yeah, I think it's a fun side story, the dogs hanging around and eventually warming up to the party - hopefully)

Aria has zero skills when it comes to little children but she tries her best to persuade them to relax... No no no... boys, calm down. You can't go running off. We'll help you find her but you must calm down. And you can't forget about your dear mother. We must get to the market so you can get what you were supposed to get for her dinner. Please???

Persuasion: 15

((normally I'd love to call kids 'little ones', but Usul is also short haha ))

Giving another pet to the dog, Usul will go up to the kids and ask "Do you know Mother and Father too? They asked us to help find Anna. Is there anything specific you can tell us? When did you last see her? Or where does she often hang out? Do you know anything about Myrtle?"

Sen, still in guard form, nods in agreement with Aria and speaks in support of her.  My friend is right.  One thing at a time.  When we get you home, you can tell us all about Anna and where she might be.  He turns to Usul; plenty of time for questions later.  These guys are going to take a bit of time to think, and then they'll tell us what they know, isn't that right, Byron, and... what's your name, son? he asks the other kid.

(Sen is finding the strain of keeping up the guard disguise to be quite acute, and his instinct is also to panic and run, but he will keep trying to maintain the act: Performance 7)

If the boys try to run off, Crush will attempt to grab them each around the waist with his large orc hands and hold them. Not rough or anything, just enough that they stay put for a moment. "Stay with us, help find Anna together" Crust would grunt with a smile. (grapple 10)

Veryes being at about eye level with the boys put's on her most gentle smile and backs up what Aria is telling them "Aria here is right. It's wonderful that you want to help your friend. We do too. So we're all going to make a plan together to find her." Looking right at the 'boyfriend' " Do you think you could help us make a good plan?"

Veryes persuasion: 24

Alexandra will approach the real guardsman, "'scuse me, m'lord. Ah 've a question t' ask ye. D'y'know anythin' aboot a fellow whit go by th' name Shadrach?" 17

(OK everyone, I have your rolls - great ideas here, let me think about how this all plays out)

The boys try to make a run to find Anna - going in opposite directions - and Crush grabs them both by the shirt collars, hoisting them off the ground and bringing them back to the party. The combined efforts of Aria, Usul, and Veryes convinces the boys to help them out. Byron's brother, Barrett, agrees that they need to get to the market to get food for their mother ("I bet Anna's fine, and Mom's gonna be really mad if we don't check to see if they have any good soupbones today!"), and they agree to help the party come up with a plan to find Anna, AFTER they get to the market and get home to their mom ok. At the mention of Mother and Father, they're confused - Byron says their dad left, and then Barrett asks if they're talking about the old people, and Byron says that they don't really know them. Usul and the rest of you who have spent a lot of time at the hostel wouldn't have seen these boys there.

While this is happening, Alexandra approaches the retreating real guard - he is about 15 feet or so away from the party now - and queries him about Shadrach. The guard scratches his head and says, "You know, I can't quite remember..." He's very obviously asking for a bribe.

The guard distracted, Sen uses this opportunity to drop his disguise and return to his normal appearance. 

Alexandra sighs, drops her bag and fiddles around inside. While it looks like she's digging around for coin she'll take 3 copper coins and cast prestidigitation on them to give them a golden hue. Deception: 20

"D' these jog yer mem'ry?"

(Gotta love CHA casters)

The guard sees the shining gold coins Alexandra is offering him, casts a quick glance around him to see if anyone is paying attention, and then quickly pockets the coins.

"I don't know if it's your guy, but there's a Shadrach who works as a part of a retinue for one of the Masked Lords who sometimes moonlights with some adventuring guild. I wouldn't go messing with the Lords though, if I were you."

He makes his exit.

Do you want to take the boys to the market and escort them back home? 

Sen walks quietly into the little shadowed alcove where he had previously hidden, and drops his disguise.  He slumps to the floor, breathing rapidly, and just stares at his knees for a little while.  Then he slowly gets back onto his feet and rejoins the group.  I think we should take these guys to the market and then home, he says, but very quietly, almost as if he's trying not to be heard.

Veryes would nod along "That sounds good Sen. We should do it quickly though and try to keep our heads down. I fear another incident like this one and we won't be able to help anyone"

Crush, trying to keep up his strong and fearless appearance would hoist the children on to his shoulders while wincing in pain before heading off towards the market "kids buy food then go home" he would grunt as he staggered through the crowds towards the marketplace.

To the market then... I'm sure we could use a few things from there as well.

"Someone lead the way, but don't get lost," Gatt mutters.

Usul will again lead the way. Though much slower this time, still working with his new mastiff friend.

 Animal handling 13

Usul, one of the dogs walking beside him, takes the lead. Crush, the boys on his shoulders, follows behind. The rest of the party follow behind them, the other dog staying with Alexandra.

They soon arrive at an open air market. This is the kind of place where there's always a crowd, and where all of the prices are negotiable. It looks like the kind of place that has something for everybody. There's room for the party to proceed single file, but the presence of the dogs and Crush gives people reason to give you all *slightly* more room. 

The boys are looking for one stand in particular, looking for some hambones for soup and some carrots, onions, and celery if they have that look decent. "Sometimes they give us bones that still have a lot of meat still on it!" Barrett says. 

What, if anything, are you looking for or keeping an eye out for at the market? 

((With the nat 20 Usul will have named his dog. Muad, though probably often just 'Mu' for short))