"I wonder if it has something to do with the kobolds we found in the mine yesterday.  They seem intent on taking the mine for themselves.  We were able to capture one of them, maybe he knows something.  Forscal has him."  Gark shrugs and starts to walk away.

Turning back toward Amout, he adds "... you know if you find you need someone to scout things out or guard a shipment, nobody knows these woods better than me.  You can find me in town every now and again."

Gark starts walking toward where they are holding the big magical one that made the strange transformation after the battle,  He seemed pretty dangerous and Gark isn't sure they'll be able to hold him for long if he changes back in the big guy.

With Gark:

"Kobolds, eh...? Maybe, but all of those plains an' forests...? They're just as likely to be savaged by boars and wolves."

"I may take you up on that offer if goes on for much longer..." He bids Gark farewell.

Gark then moves to the guard barracks nearest to the mine thinking that's where they took the kobold. Each of the barracks has a gaol built in the basement and has a separate entrance. Descending a small staircase that leads into the gaol.

Just inside a guardsman is at a desk as a clerk.

"You here for something...?" He asks, noticing Gark's entrance, but barely lifting his head from his work.

“I’m just checking on your prisoner. We caught that kobold in the mine yesterday. He’s got some magic in him. Better be careful. He still locked up?”

Gark stands in front of the desk waiting for the guard to answer. 

With Gark:

The guard gives a weary sigh, "Ugh... That thing..."

"Yes... It's still here... Spent all night trying to interrogate it. If it does have magic in it, it didn't even try to attempt it. Not that it would be able to anyway, bound up as it is."

"Want to take a crack at him? Who knows, maybe you actually get something useful..."

“Well I’m not much for talking myself so not sure what I could get out of him, but I’d like to check him out if it’s ok. Can you point me in his direction?” Gark shrugs

Meanwhile, back at the tavern, Valentia looks from her table with Lia at the Sargeant as he enters the tavern. After hearing his conversation with the bartender, she looks at Lia. "Again? Well, are we going to solve that problem as well? I got him to talk yesterday when he was possessed, we could try that again today and see what's going on..."

With Gark:

The guard stands up and points his thumb behind him, "He's a few cells down, I'll show ya."

He stands up and guides Gark toward the back.

A couple of the cells are are empty, others with one or two occupants. After passing five cells on the left side, the sixth cell houses a single small figure, its hands bound and it snout muzzled. It looks at Gark and the guard with ire and melancholy.

"This thing kept on talking almost nonstop, making some of the other prisoners uneasy. Tying its mouth was the only way to shut it up."

With Lia and Valentia:

"Normally, I'd say it's rude to eavesdrop, but you should already know what I'm on about..." Forscal turns to the two at the table, recognizing Lia and Valentia.

"The kobold you brought down has been going about this One-Become-Two god of his; babbling something about some sort of reunion signaling its return."

"We kept trying to ask it about any other kobolds hiding out in the mine, but its either ignoring us or is trained not to give anything useful."

"Seems like a fanatic."  Lia says with a nod.  "Anything you would like our help with in regard to him, or anything else?"

With Lia and Valentia:

"Fanatic is one way of putting it, zealot seems to be more accurate." He says scratching his head. "But at the moment, he's under control."

"But, what Raicho mentioned does have something to it..." He assumes a contemplative pose. "The caravan that regularly supplies the town from the farms and hamlets in the area has not come for some time... About three days, right, Raicho?

"Aye. Depending on the weather, a few hours to a day can be expected when they're running late. But this is something else entirely." Raicho says, busying himself by washing a dish.

"Not to come off as a money-driven person, but, well, I am still low on funds..." Lia says with a sigh.  "Would there be any reward for checking into this matter?"  She bits her lip, clearly not use to this sort of thing and coming off fairly awkward.

Gark sits across the room and studies the kobold for a bit. After studying him for a while Gark asks

”do you understand me?  If so give me a nod. It seems that we accidentally interrupted you in the mine. I’m sorry if we did so. If I unbind your mouth, can we chat?If so give me another nod.”

With Gark:

The kobold gives a quick nod to each of Gark's questions

With Lia and Valentia:

"Aren't you a practical one?" Forscal folds his arms, amused.

"Tell you what. I think there's room in this month's budget for around four more caravan escorts. Since a few bandit bands are known to be a problem in the area, we've had to send out some guards for the trip here. More dangerous, but those who opt for the duty earn 15 gold."

"I'll sign on then."  Lia says with a smile.  "When does the next one leave?"  Lia pushes her white hair behind an ear as she glances around, trying to see if any of the others, other than Valentia, have come down yet.  Turning to Valentia, "Have you seen any of the others from last night yet?"

Gark carefully loosens but does not completely undo the muzzle, should he need to put it back into place, then moves a few feet away and sits.

"First, are you thirsty?  Do you need some water?"  Depending on his answer, Gark will pour some water from his skin into the kobolds mouth.

"Second, I want to tell you that I"m not a miner, I was just there investigating.  That was some good work in the mines, you really had me running.  I couldn't quite catch why you wanted us out though, what's Two become One?" 

"The last time I saw Gark was yesterday night, but I think I've seen Nephina enter the tavern. I haven't seen her leave, though." Valentia responds to Lia's question to her before she adds. "Oh, and I'll be trying to do that as well. I think we can work together well..."

With Lia and Valentia:

"The caravan makes monthly trips to town, so you're a little late for the full trip. What I'm asking is that you is to do is follow the main trail, find out what's holding them up so long and help them on their way here, if possible. I'm not entirely sure where they are, it takes around 3 days round-trip, but they should be on the way back to town. You'll still be paid as if you took the whole trip."

"Well, if we are going to do this, I'm going to have to give  you a letter of introduction, so the guards who are with the caravan already won't give give you too much trouble. Let's head over to the nearest barracks so I can write one up for you." Forscal says as he stands up.

With Gark:

"Korvak thanks you..." The kobold says after the offer of water.

After asking his second question, Gark hears from one of the cells behind him, "Oh, you arse, not again..."

With a glint in his eye the Korvak begins talking, "One-Become-Two was one and ruler of long ago! Dominated over all until traitors attack! But have plan to overcome death! Discovered strange place where anything happen and gods have no power! When betrayed, he sleep and break himself! Time is nearing, when rider find maiden, two become one, bring strange place, and become overseer of all! We rebuild territory for great return! No room for mountain thieves or heretics!"

"No more dreams of me..." He says in a defeated tone.

Again, from one of the cells behind him, "Gods, SHUT THE HELL UP!"

Lia gives Valentia a nod of agreement.  Turning to the guard she gets to her feet.  "I am ready when you are." She says and waits for Valentia to be ready before following the guard out.  As they leave Lia double-checks her gear and component pouch to make sure everything is in its place.  Outside the wind ruffles her white hair, and she pushes it back behind her ear to get it out of her face.  Turning to Valentia...  "In case I did not introduce myself yesterday, I am Lia, a Sorceress and traveler."  She offers  her hand in friendship. 

Gark looks at the Korvak for a second then says

”I’m sorry. Those things you were saying is that some kind of prophecy or a dream?  Are there others in the mine working to bring back two become one?”

With Lia and Valentia:

"A magic user, huh...? Nice to meet you Miss Lia." Forscal shakes her hand, "Guard Sargeant Forscal."

With Gark:

Korvak continues, "Dream? Prophecy? Hardly! True tale from long past!"

"I tell you in mine. With Power of One-Become-Two, one can become many!"

"I tried to warn you..." the guard with Gark said. "It's hard to pin down what exactly he's talking about."

"Because don't listen!" Korvak snaps, "Almost like One-Become-Two gone from mind..."

"Because there isn't anything in history or myth called 'One-Become-Two' you dumb cur!" the guard yells at him.

 Just as the guard is yelling at Korvak; Sargeant Forscal, Lia and Valentia are approaching the barracks.

Forscal squats down at the window to the cell, "Still spouting off about that god of his...?"

The guard with Gark responds, "Aye, and his story about other kobolds in the mine isn't changing either."

Forscal turns to Lia and Valentia, "I don't suppose either you have anything that can make him make sense?"

Gark listens until he's finished and then asks him "so that's what you did in the mine?  You used the power of one become two to become many?  What do you call it when you grow to become bigger?