Kai follows Nobody out of the stables in time to spot Leona. She extends a webbed hand and smiles happily at her. "Kai Loire. You're the woman from last night. Is the little boy you were with your son? He's quite adorable." Kai glances between everyone else whether they be in or out of the stable before looking back a Leona. "I believe we are just waiting on either word from our hirers, the cart, or any other group members that got a late start to the day." 

Morthos, you are approached by a bulky human in his early 50s.

Hey you, tiefling! Did the Dwarf Gundren send you to me?

As he checks your letter he keeps going on:

Seams in order to me. Gundren told me he would send 7 people so hear are 21 gold dragon. The horse is already hitched to the wagon, the second last door to the right.

He leads you to a large brown horse that is hitched to a wagon full with what seams to be mining supplies.

The horse name is Betsy, she is part of the deliver. She is not the fastest, but she is strong. She should get you to the Triboar trail intersection in a litle bit over a day. Gundren also asked me for a map, i left it in small box under the drivers seat. I have more to do now so i leave you to your business and wish you a good day.

OOC: Stealth Check - 21

Kai happily moves to pet Betsy and looks around at the others, doing a quick headcount before speaking hesitantly. "There are only five of us. It seems we're missing a few people?" She gives the human man a grateful nod as he leaves them to their journey. She looks to the cart rig skeptically before at the others. "Uh... On another note. Is anyone good with horses and carts? We'll need a driver." Her voice trails off hesitantly and she avoids eye contact slightly.

Moss had slipped away afterwards. With no funds to take a room she had found a covered place to sleep the night and returns in the morning to join the group. Hesitant to meet the people. Though having not disguised herself the previous night, she lumbers up as a 7'9" Firbolg and is not that great at being inconspicuous. Her light brown hair is streaked with white, partially matted with small badly woven braids that look like they were done some days ago. She wears a combination of clothes that are either too big, too small, or falling apart. Her cloak is patched with leaves and large pieces of bark. Her backpack looks like it might actually be a large clump of moss.

"Hello," she says quietly.

Distracted, a misty-eyed Nobody just stares past Leona at first to her retinue. But he comes to his senses swiftly, and brushes his eyes with his sleeves before bowing to Leona. "Nobody. I... sorry." Without a word, he continued on to find the man. Following his words with him -- or more accurately a 'word' on his part -- he just nods numbly along to the man.

"You have my thanks again, Sir. And a good day to you." Nobody awkwardly mumbles after the man had no doubt left by then. "I can't say I am particular good at it, no. But--Wha--?" He turns to Moss looking confused than surprised. "Oh! Whoa... You're a lot bigger than I originally thought. Saw. Ahem. Good day, Mam. I am Nobody." With a chuckle and a smile, he starts to bow to Moss, but thinking better of it offers a hand. "It is good you arrived when you did. Things are almost ready. We are still missing one or two more, but things are about ready here. I... Don't take this the wrong way, but you wouldn't happen to be an experienced dri--guider of horses?"

Mal observes that most of those who received envelopes from Sildar and Gundren have already arrived in the stable. He takes out one of his flasks that contains cheap wine and takes a swig, careful not to swallow the contents. He gargles and spits it out. He sprinkles a bit of the wine on his clothes. (He has an identical flask which contains tea.) He then tousles his normally groomed hair and wrinkles up his clothes to give the appearance that he has slept in them. Once he is satisfied with his appearance, he goes to the stable. 

Good morning everyone. Good morning to all. Hail and well met. I am so happy not to have missed you. It would be such a bother chasing after you on the road.

Mal gives a deep bow, almost to the point of falling over. 

I must apologise for my tardiness. But I thought it might be a good idea to enjoy myself before embarking on what possibly may be a very boring trip. 

He takes out his wine flask and fumbles trying to open it. Failing to open it he returns it to his pack. 

I am Malachi Artredis of the House Artredis from Cormry. I am very very very much pleased to meet you all this very very very early morning.

Mal takes note of the reactions of those in the stable. 

He thinks to himself: Master Remo always said that trust is a most valuable currency which cannot be spent lightly. I do not trust any of these people and what a motley crew of individuals they are. Lord Mask, I hope they don't get me killed before my time. 

Mal goes to one side of the stable to sit down and pretend to sleep.

Moss looks at the tiefling's hand for a moment before shaking it. "They name me Moss," she says, her oddly vacant eyes drinking in the appearance of Nobody and indeed all her new travelling companions.

Kai, much distracted by the horse Betsy, hears each of the newcomers arrivals and gives them a look over once, a slight smile, and a nod, opting out of the (typically unappealing to others) handshake. She thinks quietly for a moment, doing a quick head count before speaking hesitantly. "I'm Kai. Is that all of us? I think we should be going if we are to make distance before nightfall? If that's okay with everyone? And may I ask again if anyone is particularly good with horse and carriage. I could probably do it.... But I don't want to prevent someone with more skill than myself..."

(OOC: Would Kai be able to notice Mal's fake sleeping with either her passive insight or perception?)

Diceroll for Maltake: 6

Maltake you think you nailed your performance, but the truth is, you laid it on to thick. Your eyes were completely awake and clear to anyone who bothered looking at you for even a moment. Your stumbles and fumbles looked artificial and your fake snoring didn’t help much either.

Everyone except Hazel can see through it. And even Hazel can tell something is odd, even if the Halfling doesn’t really know what.

As for the wagon, no special skill needed to simply drive it on the road, once you try to do a race or to be sneaky i will ask for dice-rolls.

Outstretching an arm, Hazel stood before Ostran with a warm smile. The small stature of the halfling was apparent even though Ostran was sitting down. To be honest, Ostran did not much like halflings but maybe this one might be different. Making a quiet grunt Ostran grabbed Hazel by the wrist and in a handshake/get up motion he propped himself to his feet. Due to the size difference between the two, this was quite awkward. Ostran nodded to the other new arrivals as he picked up his crossbow and walked over to the wagon with the hitched horse and searched it for the map (possibly anything else?). Ostran tried to memorize what he could of it before returning it to the small box under the driver seat. He sat in the back with the mining supplies and waited for the group to prepare (if there is room)

As Kai greets her Leona shakes the offered hand before turning to look at the departing figures she arrived with. Smiling with pride she replies: “Pleased to meet you Kai. That is my youngest of five, Jeorn. He is so much like I was at that age, keen to see the world and take part in it. But rightly our attention should be to matters at hand.”

As Moss arrives Leona looks up at the towering figure and smiles curiously. “Greetings friend, I am Leona.” She says before turning to politely return the bow offered to her by the Tiefling Nobody.

With their instructions issued Leona wastes no time and immediately sets about inspecting the wagon along with Betsy. She checks to make sure the load is properly secured and distributed correctly, ensuring that it won’t become unbalanced during the journey, and makes sure that Betsy’s harness is well fitted and won’t put too much strain on the horse or cause her any discomfort. While doing this she sees Mal’s performance and a broadly unimpressed look crosses her face before she shakes her head and returns to her inspections.

Mal listens intently to the group around him. Such an interesting group of characters indeed. The sounds of preparation seem to be dying down and the group will be probably be on its way in awhile. Mal decides its time to make some new "friends".

Slowly getting up, he goes to the water trough to splash some water on his face. Speaking to no one in particular he says - This is going to be a long day. 

He looks for Kai and approaches her. Do you think we'll be heading out soon? By the way, my name is Malachi Artredis. Mal bows in her direction.

I do hope we can get this all over and done with so we can get paid. Money has a way of improving my general outlook in life. 

 Hazel pulls on Ostran as best he can to lift the elf to his feat. “My you’re a tall one!” With a wink and a giggle, Haze let’s Ostran’s hand drop, turning to regard the new arrivals.

Seeing Moss towering before Nobody set Hazel back on his heels. “My... you’re a tall one...” amazement painfully clear on his face. Barely 3 feet tall, Hazel dwarfed under the height of the female Firbolg. 

Kai awkwardly offers a bow back, not used to such formality since she was young. She offers him a slight smile and a nod. "I... think the others are preparing for the journey. I'm Kai." (OOC: can't remember who all she introduced herself to. I'd assume everyone at this point). She looks Mal over with a friendly smile but his performance early makes her skeptical of his mention of money. "Money is nice... yeah... But what outlook would that be?" She gives Mal and genuinely interested look while she keeps an eye on everyone else, not wanting to be left behind.

Insight on Mal: 23

(OOC: Yeah nope. Fully trust you. Without a doubt. XD)

If Nobody recognizes the deception, it fails to show in expression. He just smiles good naturally back and offers his name alongside a short bow to the latest arrival. "I do believe that makes seven of us now! We should head out now." He cuts in abruptly. "There's not enough room on the wagon for all of us and the supplies I believe. But fortunately, these sorts of things are usually on the slow going side when loaded up. So long as we take shifts we should make plenty enough time." 

Unless there are any further question, he waltz back to the stall area. While not exactly an expert in coach driving or animal herding, the tiefling put on his most confident front, believing it key to success! Plus, he's read a thing or two about a thing two too! Accepting the role of driver first if none object or offers, he waits for the others to decide on whatever guard formation/who gets to ride first before urging Betsy onward to and through the gate. It is only after they past he remembers to get out the map left to them. 

(Unless there's anything else, perhaps we can get the show properly on the road?)

Kai watches everyone load up on the cart or chose their positions before she hesitantly speaks. "I think I'd be best walking near the front? To keep a look out for anything while we travel. Maybe not the direct front though?" Her hand goes to rest  on the handle of her hand axe while she looks to the others for their decisions.

Hazel climbs up onto the back of the cart and finds a relatively comfortable spot to settle down in. “Well... I have a shorter stride then most, and my skill set is better served with a bit of distance.” The halfling puts his feet up and lays his head back, looking up at the morning sky. 

You follow the High Road  south of Neverwinter and you see fields with crop nearly ready for harvest everywhere. After 10 miles you notice an engraved stone, that points you to an inn a few miles further down the road and sure enough you arrive there just after midday. You decide to water and feed Betsy and in exchange for a few copper and some dried rations each one of you gets a hot soup. You inquire about Sildar and Gundren and after showing your contracts the innkeeper explains to you that the two arrived early in the morning, exchanged horses and were on their way before you even left Neverwinter. 

The road is easy to travel and you make good speed, but as you get further and further away from Neverwinter the surrounding farmlands become more and more interrupted by untouched nature. You camp the first night in a small grove off the road and exchange stories over the campfire. As you take shifts keeping watch the night passes uneventful and  motivated by the promised reward you break camp with the first rays of the morning sun.

By midday you reach Triboarcrossing, a small settlement at the intersection  of the High Road and the Triboar Trail. Again you ask around and you find out that your employers stoped here last evening for fresh horses, but didn't stay for the night. 

Around two hours after you turned east onto the Triboar Trail the road winds between two low escarpments and as you come around the bend in the road you see two dead horses blocking your way around 100 feet ahead.  

Kai frowns as she spots the horses, squinting slightly to get a better look at them and anything nearby. As she does, she will address the others. "Hey. There are some dead horses up there... Should we... stop?"

Perception (for the horses and surrounding area) : 18