Messalina sends a Message to the gnome. I know that these cultists have stolen gold and other valuables and are sending them northwards. That's what I would guess is in the wagons.

"Where did these items come from?" she inquires.

Astrid simply stares at the fellow gnome as Messalina is talking with her, trying to determine its true intentions.

Insight: 21

Investigation: 13

"What do you mean, where did these items come from? You haven't heard about the villages they've pillaged? Did you join this caravan not knowing anything about your enemies?"

"I think she means what specific village," Li'riya says softly. "Greenest," she tells the gnome.

The gnome gave Messalina a dirty look, and Camilla had a somewhat perplexed look on her face as well, as if the answer Messa gave was unexpected and a little crass. Turning to Li'riya, the gnome said, "Thank you!" and got up and left.

"That was weird." Edward replies as he fixes his new flower crown. This one has sunflowers in it as they were what was growing on the side of the road. 

Messalina grabs the gnome before she leaves. "Wait, what are you doing?"

Her hand goes to her shortsword hilt. "Nothin' you need to worry about." she says. "You saved me the trouble of searching their wagons. Can I go now, your highness?"

"Put your hand away from your weapon. No one will hurt you, unless you try to hurt us. I just wanted to know what you were going to do with this information."

"Messalina," Li'riya says quietly. "You're being a little...brusque. However, she has a point," she adds to the gnome. "What are you going to do with the information?"

"Sorry, toots, can't tell ya." she says, a bit loud.

Your current actions are drawing attention, seriously jeopardizing the mission. The gnome looks at you with a final warning if you don't release her, she WILL cut your hand off.

"Sorry. Now keep your voice down." Messalina lets go of the gnome, but also makes a mental note to kick this gnome's ass the first chance she gets.

Li'riya leans back against a log and watches the gnome as she leaves through half-lidded eyes, keeping an eye on her actions.

Perception: 20

Messalina casts Message to the individual members of the party. "I'm sorry if I was brusque with that gnome. I was just suspicious, since she suddenly shows up after 42 days, says that she's our ally, asks for the information that we have on the cult, and then leaves just as suddenly as she shows up. I didn't want to give sensitive information to someone that might turn on us."

I agree that she's suspicious. But openly confronting her only serves to make her more cautious. Li'riya answers Messalina.

DAY FORTY FIVE

Two days after the strange gnome talked to us, the camp awoke to a killing. One of the cultists guards was murdered overnight. He was stabbed in the back with a sword and left where he fell beneath a cult wagon. The cultists immediately accused the Unbroken members and demand to inspect their weapons. One of them carried a short sword, and arguing began. A tall caster type man with red robes and tattoos on his bald head attempted to quell the situation, and was able to. The cult members became odd and standoffish. Most of the entire caravan was on the side of the Unbroken, as during the journey they assisted greatly. In the end, the caravan’s most prominent merchants agreed that without witnesses, nothing can be done. The gods will punish the guilty party and life will go on. The cultists looked at us with nothing but undisguised hatred, but we did nothing to act upon it, as we didn't want to jeopardize the mission. The gnome we met had a sinful smirk the rest of the journey.

The next day, we arrived at Waterdeep, the City of Splendors.

It lived up to it's reputaton.

Upon reaching Waterdeep, Astrid will temporarily part company with the group, and stop by the local Harpers HQ. Checking in, she’ll ask the local guild members for some background information on the cult. 

Messalina felt slightly bad for being suspicious of the gnome. But only slightly. Regardless, once the team arrived in Waterdeep, she told Edward where he could find an "adult place" but also advises him that such things can get quite expensive. "The good ones cost money, but they're worth it. Trust me." Once she's finished directing Edward, she leads Bell, Li'riya, and Camilla to a restaurant. "Now this is a buffet. It's a special sort of restaurant where you serve yourself and eat as much as you can. A shame that Astrid's not here, these places usually offer discounts to the elderly."

"Don't worry. I haven't spent a coin and am willing to spend it all on the right person." Edward tells her with a smile before waving goodbye to the girls.