Ethan doesn't talk to Gundren, but every so often he sneaks a side glance at him, that show concern in his eyes.

Ethan takes turns with the others, to help carry the brazier as they travel.

Once their goblin guides have departed, Ethan just continues walking, heading back toward Phandalin, assuming that's where everyone wants to go.

Fae too would look over to Gundren in concern for his mental state, though seeing the extra effort and care the others were providing him, she knew he was in the best company. As they continued on their journey, the wizard would drift in and out of her own thoughts, enjoying the fresh air and clearing skies while they had it. Edgar would too, taking to the skies above them as they travelled.

As the parties part ways to head back towards Phandalin, Fae would look to Zeke. Assuming him, Tarja and/or Ethan would be handling the heavy lifting of the brazier and Arvel and Elra caring for Grundren, she'd wait attentively for any formation instructions, should there be any. She'd be willing to fall back to watch their backs, or even take point should they be worried to run into any trouble on the way to Phandalin. The spiders are out of the way for now, but perhaps those Redbrands could of been up to something while they were away.

Zeke would shoulder the Brazier, using the harness to help keep it safe and secure.  He'd keep a close eye on the Goblins, making sure they weren't leading the party into a trap of any sort.  As they got closer to town, the tiefling would shift his focus from the goblins to the road ahead, wary of the Redbrands they had left behind.

Elra keeps an eye on both the brazier and Gundren, her attention shifting depending on if Arvel was talking to Gundren or not.

Gundren's pace becomes less of a burden as the group says goodbye to the goblins and takes to the relatively more smooth, even terrain of the road along the Triboar Trail.  Headed west the sun warms the faces of the various party members as they watch is slowly head toward the Sea of Swords.  Turning south at a now familiar junction towards Phandalin, there seems to be enough daylight left to make it to town by dark.

Marching on, much of the road is now becoming familiar and the party knows that Phandalin draws near.  Soon through the trees you see the old, ruined manor atop the hill over town, and then the town proper, the newly reborn town sprouting from old stone foundations, just as you left it.  People are out and about near the blacksmith, Barthen's Provisions, the Stonehill Inn and the town center.

As the party approaches the first of the buildings on the road into town, everyone notices a young man near a back corner of Barthen's Provisions who is sporting a red handkerchief and a scimitar at his hip.  He suddenly jumps just a bit upon noticing that someone is coming back into town and slinks around the corner of the building quickly.

Elra watches the man as he slinks around the corner, before speaking up, "Should we take this the the Inn before taking Gundren to Sildar? I'm sure you're probably tired from carrying it around."

Tarja accompanies Gundren throughout the journey, staying close and making sure he's all right.

After arriving at Phandalin, she would give a quick glance to the slinking Redbrand.

I wonder if he was the lookout for the Redbrands. Hopefully those guys haven't made a mess of this place in our absence. Let's go find Sildar and see what he's been able to find out here.

Ethan puts his end of the brazier down and puts his hands on his knees, breathing hard.

Ethan lets out a long sigh and looks up at Zeke.

"I am really not fit. Having to carry that really starts to build up in your shoulders, back and legs."

Ethan looks to Elra.

"So where are we going to store the brazier, inside or out?"

"Inside for now," Elra says, "probably in my room at the inn. If they still have rooms available."

"ok"

Ethan smiles at Elra and bends down to pick-up his end of the brazier, letting out a groan as he stands back up.

Ethan works with Zeke to get the brazier to the inn and then work it up to Elra's room.

Elra helps Ethan.

Ethan gratefully accepts Elra's help and together the 3 of them get the brazier sorted much more easily.

As the party moves past Barthen's they see a few more redbrands hanging out in the town center in front of the Stonehill Inn.  They stand as you approach and one man, a familiar man with a red vest and a scimitar at his hip whom you spoke to at the Sleeping Giant just before leaving town moves to the middle of the road to block your path.  Still at least 20ft away he comments "ah, excellent, I trust you had a successful trip."  "You asked us to meet you here when you return, and here we are.  Shall we square away the minor matter of your taxes now?  I fear the Townmaster will be quite upset with both you and I if we don't take care of it, and we don't want that."

"If these are town taxes why dont we just take them to townhall," Elra says. "We're going there anyways."

Zeke sighs deeply and lowers the brazier carefully to the ground as they approach the Stonehill Inn.  Working the kinks out of his arms, he moves forward through the party to stand in front of the Redbrand, his hand drifting to rest on the hilt of his blade.

Ethan follows Zeke's lead and lets down his end of the brazier.

Ethan presses a button on his gauntlet, his shield pops out and locks into place.

Ethan follows behind Zeke, coming to stand behind and to the side of him.

Ethan rests his hand on his new Programmable Caster, ready to take action if needed.

Ethan does not look happy about the Redbrand, but he wait for Arvel or the others, not taking direct action yet.

"Ah, my friend! How pleasant to see you yet again! What's that? Taxes? Oh, yes. Of course. Of course. Of course. Townmaster? Right! Let's go and see them and get this all cleared up!"

Arvel is busy glad handing villagers and barely breaks stride as the redbrands approach. He's attempting to put them off guard by making them keep up with them.

The red vested redbrand steps in Arvel's path as a number of other redbrands of different shapes and sizes appear in front of the party near the town center and behind near barthen's.  "We collect the taxes for the Townmaster, as you very well know, and as expected, you once again seem determined to cheat the fine people of Phandalin out of your share of the cost of keeping this place safe.  That is where our other job comes in, keeping the town safe from those who would steal from us."

(This is where I'd say ROLL INITIATIVE, which you are free to do, but when I get some time later today I'll just roll for anyone who hasn't and post a map.  You'll have to forgive the crude nature but I did a partial Phandalin map in excel for ease of creation and because of the pure size of it.)

Fae had been silent, contemplating whether she would have to listen in on their minds to decern their true intentions, but it doesn't look as though that would be necessary anymore. She'll take a spot behind Zeke and Ethan, staggered between them for clear sight.

Initiative: 17

Zeke draws his blade and shakes it to it's full length.  As he does his eyes flare with a dark light, as if the depths of hell itself was trying to push through and the blade begins to glow with pulsing purplish-black flames(Searing Smite).