Zelra looks shocked throughout Rilo's exposition and then particularly offended at Ola's statement. "Seriously? Who cares if they're official guards?? You literally just said it yourself. They're doing something illegal and should at least be brought in if not just outright killed. Even if his informant is lying, we should at least check the place out. You really willing to let a child be tortured and murdered over petty crime because oooo authority? This isn't even a question." She turns towards Rilo with determination in her eyes. "We'll do it. We'll take the job."

Ola did not need the guilt trip to be convinced to save the child. That was not even the point! She tried to explain again: "Yes, brought in, and legally prosecuted. But if we rush in without thinking - we will be the one breaking the law and they will come out as victims. All I am saying, we need a witness whose word would be believed during the trial. I can talk to the Lord's Alliance or we can go directly to the guards. Sure they will want to clean up their name and eliminate corruption!"

Sylyra, who was mostly lost in his own thoughts and not paying attention to the silly, melodramatic gnome, is finally catching on to the situation as Zelra and Ola argue the point. "Ola is right," he says matter-of-factly. "Whether they are rogue Black Fists or not, they're still Black Fists. I don't want to end up in jail. Especially one rumored to include torture and death." He gives the gnome a withering look. "Even for a magnifying glass."

Zelra scowls at the two. "If you both are so worried about getting arrested, we can just kill them all and dump their bodies somewhere they won't be found. We don't know how deep this corruption goes. Turning them in won't do any good and the more we linger here and argue what to do, the more likely that Villonah is being tortured right now."

Rillo's face runs the gambit of emotion during your responses; anxious through Ola's hesitation, relieved during Zelra's retort, then worried at Ola before turning downright mortified at Sylyra's scathing reply. His eyes burn with emotion as he replies with a sudden strength.

"What they are doing is not legal! This...prison, if that's what it can be called, is for the personal use of a rotten few in the city guard. For t-t-torture, for fun! I could go to a Black Fist outpost on my own and report this. I don't need you for that, but to do that I may as well hang my daughter myself from Stojanow Gate for all the time it will take for them to sort this out, if they would even take care of it on their own!"

Just as quickly, he sinks back in the chair, utterly dejected, and speaks to Sylyra.

"If you fear these men, I will look elsewhere for help. Thank you for your t-t-time. I just thought that...well, Villonah spoke very highly of you, Mr. Arnald," he ends, turning to the silent archer.

Uragum listened patiently while the others argue amongst themselves.  Both sides did make valid points and there wasn't a simple right answer to this all.  This was all messy and would be messy.  

"No matter how we look at it, it's messy.  Kidnapping, torture, possible corrupt organizations.  There is no 'right' way to handle this.  If we move in free the girl and turn over the men responsible to the authorities we could put a target on our backs.  We go in and kill everyone and an investigation could follow and lead to us regardless of how safe we try to play it.  Truthfully, if we are thinking about ourselves then the safest thing to do is skip this job."

He waits a moment and turns to the man and says, "That said, I plan to help but in addition, to said payment I'd request permission to use your workshop from time to time and occassionally consulting advice on projects I may have."

Now it was Ola's turn to be horrified - she managed to say something Sylyra was agree with, yet she felt she was more right than ever! "Killing everyone, hiding bodies - Zelra, do you even hear yourself?! These are people we are talking about, not mindless goblins! They should answer for their crimes - yes! - if they committed it. You do not even know that yet! But answer to the law!"

She turned to the gnome: "Why did not you go to the guards? If you are so sure about their doings, so sure the officers are not involved, and even learned the address - it was your duty to go to them, to officers and report the crime!"

"I do not need your money to save the girl - keep it! But before we begin, we go to the Guard Captain - with you Master Rillo! - explain the situation, and investigate it legally, on behalf of the city authorities!"

"Yeah, I know what I'm saying! These are not people. These are monsters who are willing to torture and murder a child. Yeah, okay, you're right about us not knowing whether or not they actually did it but if they did, they don't deserve to live." Zelra lets out a heavy sigh and rubs her eyes. "Okay, how about this! Instead of us AND Rillo going to the authorities, Rillo goes by himself and we go to save Villonah. We WON'T kill anyone since Ola is so against it and we can just stay there until the guards come. I mean, if everything Rillo is saying is true, the prison itself would be evidence enough. I don't want to waste anymore time."

Sylyra laughs after Uragum finishes by attempting to negotiate workshop time, yawns during Ola's interrogation of the gnome, and after Zelra's attempt at a compromise, throws up his arms. "Fine! Let's do that. Auril's Kiss; all this arguing is so boring." He looks at Arnald. "Let's go save your little girlfriend."

Arnald sits in stunned silence as Rillo tells his tale. He knew something was wrong. He knew he should have been out looking for Villonah. Tears filled his eyes as the rest of the team argued and debated, Arnald lost himself in a cycle of self incrimination and blame which got even worse when Rillo says his lessons made her bolder. At Sylyra's outburst about his 'girlfriend' Arnald looks up with rage in his eyes.

"Mr. Leadstopper, I will find Villonah and I will bring her back to you or die trying."

Looking to the rest of the group, "I heard you all debating on this one. Anyone who doesn't wish to join in doesn't have to. But I would appreciate the help of any who will. This will probably get messy, both literally and legally, so I understand if anyone wants to sit this one out."

Ola was furious and only deeply drilled good manners and way too good upbringing prevented her from dragging little gnome to Madam Freona by the collar. "Please, follow me, Mr. Leadstopper," "invited" him Ola with a voice colder than ocean depths, with even more storm rumbling in it than usual. If she must become a lawless scum for the sake of potential greater good - at least she will do as lawful as possible.

"Madam Freona, that man came to inform our group about criminal activity within the city, where some of the criminals are masquerading as the Black Guards. He is asking for our help in investigation. And we agreed." She took a pause to take a breath and calm down. "I here would ask your help to send someone reliable to escort that man - Mr. Rillo Leadstopper - to the Captain of the Black Guards, where he will explain the situation and your escort can witness that explanation." "Here is 10 golds for the task to your man and if this is not enough, please, name the price."

After arrangements were made (and she was absolutely sure things are at least set in motion), Ola would return to the group as a silent cold statue of rage ready for "heroic" adventure.

Uragum comes up behind Ola.  "Correction, it's not  criminals masquerading as Black Fist but actual Black Fists acting illegally.  A corrupt splinter faction so to speak.  Hence the need to for outside investigation."  He then ruffles through his pouch.  "I will also add an addition 10 gold for the task to denote its importance."  He then adds his gold to the bunch.

Following Ola he pulls Ola to the side and says, "The point you make is valid and there is some validity from Zelra as well.  The best thing to do would be to go above  the Black Fists command and appeal for an investigation from higher up.  That said, time, money, connections among others are all needed.  This girl doesnt have time, we dont have time to waid through the bureaucracy to meet the higher up.  It's not ideal but we are a group of action."  With that hed pat her on the shoulder and join the rest of the group.

"Rillo was supposed to take us to the prison. We don't know where it is." Zelra sighs and walks to Rillo. "Could you give us the directions to the prison? Since Ola wants to send you off as soon as possible. Also, sorry for all this arguing. You're probably already stressed as it is."

The anxiety on Rillo's face is clear throughout the argument. "Thank you. Sincerely," he responds to Arnald. "Villonah has been quiet since her mother's passing. She has not been very talkative since, but...your lessons were all she spoke of for a tenday. She aspired...aspires...to be as talented with the bow as you, someday."

The gnome shows more than a little frustration when he is practically dragged to the kitchen. "Come now, ma'am, what is the meaning for this!" he exclaims, and Madame Freona seems as shocked and frustrated as he. She and Whittlee are the only two working in the tavern tonight, and she assumes the look of a stern schoolteacher as she motions her daughter to continue waiting tables. "Now I was about to ask the same thing, sir," she says, hands on her hips. Once Ola and Uragum explain the situation, she replies, "My dears, my duty, and the duty of my daughters, is to maintain a reputable establishment where adventurers can find work, and work can find adventurers - not to do the work for them. Now this all sounds very troubling, but if I abandoned my tavern every night there was a corrupt guard or a thief in this town, you wouldn't have had a place to find your work these last few tendays. If this needs to be reported, I have every confidence that you can do so yourself in a timely manner."

When Zelra mentions the directions, Rillo brushes himself off, still looking agitated. "I would rather lead you there myself, miss. I'm very familiar with the river, and I've lived in Phlan for a long, long time now. I fear the unnecessary loss of time more than I fear the depth of this corruption. Were I to take this to a Black Fist outpost, I thought, it would be all too easy to cover me up as they have this alleged prison. I am no fighter...but to take you to the cave, that I can do, posthaste. When you are ready," he explains. "And...thank you. I just want my daughter back...and safe."

"I certainly did not mean for you go anywhere personally, only that you might know someone reliable precisely because of your occupation." She turned to the gnome: "As you see, Mr. Rillo Leadstopper, your secret prison full of corrupt Black Guards does not bother good citizens of Phlan. We have to discuss it with Guard Captain ourselves. Now if you insist on leading the group yourself, we either visit Captain on the way there together, or - if after waiting for several days you are suddenly afraid to loose a minute - I will go to the guards alone and join you later if you would be so kind to point direction."

(If Ola does not know Captain's address - she will ask around, but whether alone or with the group she will first go there)

"Ola, why are you being so stubborn? Just come with us to save Villonah and after all that, you can go to the guard. Whether now or later, it doesn't matter but what does matter is that we save Villonah as soon as possible. Also you didn't explain the whole situation to Freona. If you mentioned the torture and murder of innocent civilians, I'm pretty sure she would have a problem with it." Zelra sighs and groans but if Ola continues to insist on going to the guards first, she will throw her hands in the air and let her go.

"And why are you suddenly so enthusiastic? You have not even heard about that kid until today. Yet, you are ready to run and murder people you have never seen before, practically without payment - you of all people! - on the word of a man you've just met, who was avoiding official channels for days but now insisting that every minute counts and he just must to bring us there by himself? You can not possibly be that reckless - you would not survive that long."

"Informing Guard Captain before you murder his men is the right thing to do - the only right thing to do! Nobody here cares to do so, hence, this is up to us. It would not take long to walk in there - for heaven's sake, we can rent horses if speed is of the essence! And once it's done, we are free to do as we pleased. Why is that a problem?"

I'm afraid Ola is adamant in her decision to find Captain first. If the "bad jail" can be pointed out - she will get there eventually (alone or with cavalry), if not - she will be group's witness on the process about murdering corrupt guards.   

Zelra stops as Ola questions her enthusiasm. Without turning around, she simply says "I have my reasons, Ola." before returning to the group. "Ola's staying behind. Lets hurry up before it's too late."

"Finally," Sylyra says, standing.

After ensuring he has all his gear ready and with Sly on his shoulder, Arnald opens the door and walks out, holding it open. "Mr. Leadstopper, if you would kindly lead the way." Looking over the diminutive man to Ola, "If you'd like to head to the guard captain and tell him of the goings on, I would bear you no hard feelings. We each must do what we feel is morally right and just. For me, saving a young girl from torture and possibly murder is more important than following the letter of the law. At the least I hope you understand my position even if you disagree with it."