Adray sighs, "Alright, I'll go get the captain.  Take him to a cell and ill meet you there," he says.  Adray will then head out quickly to find him.

The Prison always welcomed new inmates, though some minimal bureaucracy would be expected and it's not particularly close to the living quarters. Still, the badge is a badge and Thavius Kreeg can be brought and left there.

Adray did not find the Captain, though. "Gon," informed him Nelestree - half-elven woman that was minding the office at that hour. "But will be back first thing in the morning. Promised to bring Big Surprise for the city, as if we do not know what is it." She winked to Adray. "Oh, you probably do not know. Commander Portyr returned. But tsss! I did not tell you this. Officially she wouldn’t be in Baldur’s Gate for at least another tenday. With all these political play you never know what is going on and who knows what."

"Anyway, he will be here after sunrise. Can wait here or rest a bit, as you wish. Caught some more of your cultist friends there? Found the nest"

Choir tries to remember who Commander Portyr is.  (History? 14 )

((Oh, whoops, we're not there, are we?  She will try when Adray returns  and tells them the news. Who has the box? ))

"Shit," Adray says under his breath.  "Well, I guess I have to get Nelestree.  The situation I've got is frankly, above my pay grade.  Nelestree will have to do until the Captain gets back in and hells, the Commander will want to be involved with this too.  If ya happen to see them before I do, send them down to the prison."  With that Adray will try and find Nelestree.

Eeee... Nelestree - is a half-elven woman, one of the Captains personal "Six" and Adray is talking with her right now in Captain's quarters where he went in search of Captain.

Ordrag nods a thanks to Nelestree for her information and help (as I'm just assuming Ordrag went along). Well, he says to Adray me guess we can wait to morning. It's been a long night, how 'bout us get some rest?

Fran would look to Choir, "Aye, can't seem teh see anything obvious." She'd poke and prod at the decorations on the side of the box, but would think there could be some magical component to it. "Polly, can ya sense anything from it?"

1. Where are everybody? (prisoner and Reya in particular)

2. You have no idea who Commander Portyr is, best guess - something very local, bound to Baldur's Gate politic.

3. But collective checks told you something about the box - you are dealing with an infernal puzzle box. Meaning, no magic can force the box open and it is immune to any kind of damage. The way to open it does exist but you are pretty sure it's out of any of your expertise to find one. Probably that ex-prisoner you freed from the dungeon is the one, or that friend of his, on behalf of which he was in the dungeon in the first place.

Sounds like Ordrag and Adray are went to Nelestre.  The prisoner would be in a cell and Reya likely near them.  

Yeah I do t know that name but Commander sounds like a higher rank than Captain.

Commander is higher rank indeed, Nelestre talks about it as a big deal as well.

Reya with the girls, right? And it was the girls who brought Thavius to the cells?

Yeah, the girls went  to the prison with Thavius. 

Polly take the box and inspect it. She has studied the infernal back at the academy before she “left”. 

“I could try to identify it with magic but as you know it takes 10minutes I need to concentrate to do it. And I think we have more pressing matters right now. if it can wait til morning that would be great, I am exhausted!” 

Reya did not even flinch when the group entered the Headquarters of Flaming Fist, who considered her "wanted criminal". There was a chance that darkness, early hours, her ordinary enough look would help to pass unnoticed, but most likely she simply gave up at that point.

Jailer Cogrus Stonehammer accepted also silent Thavius Kreeg. Paperwork - prisoner's name, who brought him, what are the charges, what type of restrains recommended - toock some time. If Polly was not the one talking, she could identify at least a couple of things during the procedure. But after it has been done, the group was free to go anywhere they wanted and wait for the Captain. Indefferent Reya was following the girls around.

Kind of a silly situation when you have enough time to rest, but not really enough to get a good sleep.

But morning had eventually came and true as a sunshine came Captain Zodge. Friendly Nelestree sent a message that you could come in and report all you want.

If we had to wait, then Adray would propose at least shifts to watch Thavius in his cell.  He wasn't worried so much about escaping but more worried of suicide or foul play from an outside source. 

When morning comes and they can meet with the captain he will request that at least two stay with Thavius until they can bring the Captain down there to see/interrogate him.

When morning arrives Adray and a few others knock on the Captain's door.  "Permission to enter Sir.  We have report of last night's excursion."  Assuming we are allowed in.  "Sir, there is much to report but I request that we do so by the prison cells.  Sir, we have High Observer Thavius and he's admitted to consortium with Devils and being apart of the disappearance of Elturel."

Choir spends part of the night polishing the shiny golden shield to the greatest possible brightness and trying to communicate with the Huddle Lord.

Fran would nod in agreement with Polly. That was fair. She could definitely use some rest. Well, they all could. Though, now that they're back, the artificer couldn't ignore Reya's look of defeat before heading off to bed.

Taking a deep breath Fran would turn to Reya, "Aye..." She wasn't good at trying to cheer people up and struggled to find the words, "Look. I ain't good at this stuff, but... I'm sorry." The artificer was genuine with her apology. This was a job to them as the Flaming Fist, bringing justice based on fact, but it became something completely different for Reya. She sympathized with the Hellrider. After staring at the deflated warrior in silence, Fran would reach out to tilt Reya's chin up, "I know it don't change what happened or the sorrow yeh feel but... What matters is you fought valiantly fer what you believed in. It's been an honour teh fight alongside yeh. An' I would do it again." The artificer would offer her best attempt at a cheery smile before rubbing the awkward smile off her face. She'd sigh, more to herself, and then shrug before continuing. "It's been a long day, an' can't tell yeh what tomorrow will bring, but I can hook yeh up with some grub, a place teh sleep and maybe even a shower an' some clean clothes." Fran will give Brutus a pat to encourage that she won't let anyone be a bother should someone come to recognize the Hellrider. She'll pivot on her heel to lead the way, "Just a bump in this long road. Up teh you how you take yer journey from here."

And the artificer would do just that. She would lead Reya through as if she were a new recruit assigned to her, showing her the ropes. Fran would offer to mend Reya's existing clothes or find her a new set if she wanted to change her appearance. She would make sure to bring her a meal before showing her to a bunk close by. "We're trying teh fight the good fight. I want teh invite you join us. I'd vouch fer yeh in the presence of the fancy higher-ups. But, should yeh decide to take yer own path, no one need know how yeh went." Fran would wink. "Just know yeh got someone on yer side should ya need it." Once Fran felt Reya was comfortable and settled for the night, the artificer would finally unload for the evening, getting much-needed rest as well, with the intention of joining Adray in the morning with the report to the Captain.

When the message came from Nelestree, Ordrag felt no small sense of relief. Having expected a quiet three months of service to the Flaming Fist before returning to his ship, he'd already seen and done more (and collected more stories to recount to his shipmates) than he'd have ever imagined, as well as valuable fighting experience. They'd been tasked to root out the cult of the Dead Three, then secure some witnesses from the Vanthampur family. It was a shame they'd not captured the Duke herself, although they couldn't take the blame for her death, not that Ordrag was sorry about it. But they'd secured Thurstwell as a witness, and Thavius Kreeg to the bargain. The cult was finished, Baldur's Gate was saved, and their job was done. And so it was that Ordrag followed his teammates along to the meeting with the Captain, not expecting any praise beyond that of a duty upheld, but expecting to be granted a few days leave and maybe even a shortening of his sentence.

Reya listened Fran. At least it looked like she did - she followed her suggestions, accepted help and behaved as a nice quiet new recruit, not attracting any attention. The look in the eyes was a bit absent. Eventually she talked but only to ask one thing: "He said "a city of betrayers". What do you think he meant?". Eventually, though, the physical - and to much degree emotional - strain overcome her, and Reya fall asleep - not very peaceful, but much needed anyway.

Choir successfully bonded with the shield.

Captain's office met you with two surprises. First one - Falaster Fisk himself. The man promised to be the witness and kept his word, but it was clear that curiosity about the end of the operation made him to leave safety of Lady Satiir Thione-Hhune's house and come to the Flaming Firs's HQ by himself. He greeted the group with friendly smile.

Second new face in the room was an armoured woman with a white cloak and greying hair. She had that commanding look about her, that leave no doubts - this is a high ranking officer.

"Commander Portyr," Captain Zodge was very ceremonious, "let me introduce you our heroes of the day." He named each of you and let Adray made his short speech before stepping  back.

"Did he now?" The woman was studying each of you, then looked back at Captain Zodge. "Then let's not make him waiting. I have to admit, I am still skeptical about the Hell sending part. But I knew Thavius personally, and would like to here what he has to say."

She left room first and went straight to the Prison without a need of a guide, proving familiarity with the Seatower. Thavius was still alive, though not looking very happy. "Well, it is him, that much is true. Can not say I am very pleased to see you, High Observer."

She turned to the group, "you can begin." 

Choir will wait for someone else to tell the tale, helping them by chiming in with direct quotes from the characters involved--including Thavius Kreeg's confession and Thurstwell's parting comments.

Polly stepps up to the woman and with a tiered voice start to recount everything that has happened. Starting from their mission under the bathhouse that lead them to Amrik Vanthampur on the docks and then to the Vanthampur Villa and finding Thavius Kreeg. When ever she got stuck she would count on the others to fill in the blanks. She even told her about the elf ghost at the inn, asking Choir to sing the song once again. She ended her telling with their deal with Thurstwell. 

Once done she took a step back and let someone else take the lead. 

Everyone in the room (in Thavius' cell, to  be precise - Commander Portir just made sure no one else will be listening - were silent while party was telling about night events. She red the letter from Thurstwell, looked at the shield and infernal box (Falaster could not get his eyes from both objects).

Then Comander thought silently for a couple of minutes (Captain Zodge with a look of great relieve allowed someone else to deal with that mess) and finally made her verdict. "I'll visit Baldur's Gates new best friend right now. Please, leave with treasure Captain Zodge - shield included (the Hidden Lord was very silent). You clearly need some rest - take it. We shall speak at the evening."

With that she gave a couple more orders regarding the prisoner (he was to be held in the Seatower inner temple - she shared Adray's concerns about him) and treasure holding and left.

((You were free to get a normal long rest.))

Should you care to ask around about Commander Portir, you would get surprised looks and explanation:

At the evening you all were summoned still to the office of Captain Zodge. Same faces greeted you there - Captain himself, Commander Portir and ever curious Falaster Fisk.

First, each of you received two hundred gold pieces - as promised. Then Commander shared a bit of information she deemed you to be curious about. "Thurstwell was always a smart bastard. Freed some more prisoners - allowed us to check the villa and the dungeon too. Every single prisoner says it was Thalamra and Amrik who did anything remotely bad in the house. No matter, that ever sick weakling is no threat anyway and politically Vanthampurs are finished. I doubt he gave away all his wealth, but what he did gave to the city will be useful."

"Speaking of treasure... Your help in this case was enormous. Should you wish so, you can consider yourself Baldur's Gate citizens now and we will be happy to have you as permanent members of Flaming Fist."

"I have no right to ask you to do more and should you want to leave - you are free to do so, including you Ordrag Greentide. However, there are more things to be done, I am afraid. That box... If it is indeed containing the contract between the devil and Thavius Kreeg, this piece of evidence is much needed for both - the prosecution and understanding the danger." "Second, this shield. Falaster Fisk insists this is an evil thing that should not be held within the city limits. Our sages are in disagreement with each other about the nature of the thing. And though you say the shield talks - it does not talk to us. Hence, both thing has to be escorted to the Candlekeep, where proper scholars could properly handle that stuff."

Commander sighed: "If anything Chult teaches you, it is that uncontrolled magic is a terrible danger. And even when contained, it is better kept away from the people."

Falaster shook his head in disagreement, but did not comment about magic, instead he pleaded with the group: "You proved to be the reliable and - very importantly! - resilient group of individuals. I beg of you - help me to transport the shield and the box to the Candlekeep."

To Choir

To Adray, Fran and Polly

To Nibs