[OOC would the Sheriff's carriage have crossed paths with the three walkers?]

[OOC or would their have been a miscarriage?]

[OOC: Groan...

The sheriff possibly passed Jack and Luca on his way to the guard post the first time but there was no reason for them to interact at that time. It is likely he wouldn't have seen them on his return journey as they should have been past the Sheriff's Office on their own journey by that stage. As to whether he has interacted with them since then, Dora will have to wait and talk to them to find out.]

Go back into the room and make sure Samuel has not ensconced.

Look around quickly to check whether Alice is still on guard on the balcony.

Alice steps aside from her post near the door to let Guilliame look inside, where he sees Samel sitting on the bed looking nervous.

To Samuel: "The sheriff is returning with some more assistance. We'll go and deal with Hazluk soon."

As we wait for the trio to arrive I turn to Barrus, "do you think the Sheriff should have been back by now?"

"Yes," says Barrus. "His coach should do the trip a lot faster than people on foot... Maybe the driver had to go home and the sheriff could not find a replacement?"

You both watch as Jack, Luca and their travelling companion approach.

The stranger seems familiar to Dora and she thinks she has seen him before somewhere but not actually been introduced to him. From his height—which is on a par with her own—and his solid build, Dora can tell that he is likely a Stemian like herself. However, his clothing is all Sorendenese in style and he is wearing a band of silvery metal on his head which gleams softly in the light animating from the end of the sturdy stick he is holding upright like it were a torch.

The magic light also illuminate the silver and onyx medallion on his chest, a sure sign of his devotion to the Sorendenese god of death: Donai.

[OOC: See here for information about Donai.]

I wait for either Jack or Luka to report.

The three walk up to where Dora is standing next to the guard post and Jack says, "We are back, Handleader. This is Apprentice Cullen."

The man indicated then offers his hand to Dora to shake while saying, "You must be Handleader Wallus, I am Seeker Lomani's apprentice: Basilly Cullen. Seeker Lomani was not available, so I have come to offer what assistance I can."

Then, while looking at the guard post, he adds, "But I see you already have some magical assistance. Who is your magus?"

Make sure the identification pearl and components are secure and then call out "Hello Basilly. It is good to know we are on the same side again."

I shake the proffered hand. "Welcome, come up to the balcony and we will brief you."

To Jack and Luka "well done you two, take a break and have some food and char. By the way - did you see the Sheriff's carriage?"

After shaking Dora's hand, Basilly responds to Guilliame's call by stepping up onto the guard post's outer platform.

"Hello Guilliame," Basilly says as he offers his hand. "It seems you go looking for trouble. Maybe you should become a Seeker."

Meanwhile, Jack tells Dora that the sheriff's carriage passed them going north while they were on their way south. He then asks cheekily if they had missed out on a surprise inspection.

I grin at Jack's joke and busy myself ensuring there is char and food for the whole hand and our guest. I leave it to Guilliame to talk shop with Basilly, but keep a keen ear on what is being said. I can't help feeling good at the number of able bodies in the guard post.

[OOC no posts from me today - out helping daughter at farm.]

[OOC: No worries Paul. Have a nice day.

Also, I just remembered that Basilly would already know that Guilliame was involved because the note that brought him here was signed by Guilliame. So, he wouldn't have been surprised to find Guilliame here.]

"Shari worshippers?" queries Basilly. "Are you sure? They are not much of a problem here in Constantine."

"Do you know anything about their rituals Bassily. I have a flask that seems to be associated with them."

Basilly shakes his head before saying, "Not really. I have only ever been involved with a Shari worshipper once before, and he was more a dark magus than a devotee anyway. May I see the flask?"