"She isn't here right now, I am going to see her today. I could deliver it for her." Quentin tells the messenger as he approaches. 

Mindartis looks at the gnome, then to Del and Raven, "What do you think?"

The messenger thanks Lord Quentin with a deep bow, and hands him Raven's letter. Looks like it's from her father.

 Sure, Bongo and Laugh Track can eat the residue

Is Skizzix talking about the hyenas? I guess this could be a DM hint Del ought not to go traipsing around with the critters, even if they are the most social of all felinids. True that they would be likely wiped out in the kind of fights we get into unless they got to level up like sidekicks. So a boarding situation would be acceptable. Or is she talking about traveling with us as beast wrangler - that could be dangerous

Del has an ambition to found another Abbey of the Unknown Goddess, possibly in a stabilized Pitchpine in Free City. Or maybe another site will become clear in our adventures - we have only been travelling the Westwoods for 3 weeks-ish (right?). So that would someday be how Del would want to take care of orphans and pets. Until then, can he fund the care for these ((some number)) urchins? Subsidize families to take them in? Does Ms Fiskins include urchins in her beast repertoire? 

 Bongo and Laugh Track eagerly lick up the goo, but spend the subsequent half hour slurping their tongues in and out, as if trying to get rid of the taste. They seem slightly less eager to eat everything in sight for the moment.

The one you are talking to now is Mr. Fiskins, brother to the gnome seamstress who took the initiative yesterday.  Skizzix is offering to travel with you to look after all your animals. Might be useful at times such as this, when you have your hands full.  No DM hints in disguise. :) He is a skilled hireling, if paid at the standard rate he would be 2gp per day, but you may be able to negotiate, under the circumstances.

There are 19 urchins still tagging long with you. If you ask Skizzix, he suggests you talk to his sister and other brothers, who might consider some sort of deal.

 (Just noting: Lots of edits in the above post, might want to look at it again.)

Mindartis will hire Skizzix for the party, not really concerned with negotiating for a lower rate.

Skizzix, no longer unemployed, whoops with excitement and hurries away to get his things, promising to be right back.

Quentin puts the letter safely on his person before heading down for breakfast and to wait for the others to arrive.

Del votes yes for the mammal management technician. 2 gp/day seems fine, no reason to take advantage. Does Skizzix have his own ride? We can show him the tapestry-stables - tapestables as it were. Del will also get some food for B & LT (spoiler for those wanting to avoid hyena food considerations tl;dr: 2gp/week to feed them?)

As for the kids, Del is fine with Skizzix's kin, and wants to cover expenses for a while. Will 100 gp cover it all? Del will play and tell stories while we get things settled

We did not set a meeting point with Sir Elwin and Lord Quentin. I'd rather not use a big spell just to pick a spot to meet - let's ride towards the Hall, thinking there is a fair chance we will come back this way anyway. Is ousting Lemmet from the Fool's Court Camp the order of the day? We'd probably best let Sir Elwin finish his vigil before we try to use the hoop or trace the conspiracy further

Mindartis nods, "Ya... I think that sounds best. Those elves at camp might be able to give us more information. Plus this way we can drag Lemmet's ass someone and lock him away where the sun doesnt shine."

"Seems good to me." Raven would agree with the plan.

When Skizzix comes back with his backpack on, you tell him your plan, and he consults with his family.  They agree to look after the little ones, and 100gp will be enough to at least get started with. Between the six other brothers, Jilli, and the rest of their clan, they think they can find homes for them, and people who could teach them a trade. Skizzix doesn't have his own mount, and isn't wild about the idea of traveling inside the dungeon and maybe being forgotten, but he sees the converted stables and says, "Well, doesn't look like these have been cleaned out recently. I'll get to earnin' my wages. But you gotta promise you'll remember to let me out again."

"Of course we will," Mindartis says, "I can see about getting you a mount as well once we arrive at our destination."

((the stables have barely been used either. also Del just got Unseen Servant for stable cleaning, that can help out when we are not in transit))

Once we are set, head back to the court, being careful if Q & E come to find us we don't miss each other and do a who's on first thing. We can update each other on all the events And you can include in your next letter to His Highness that some of the sprites we freed were from that village. Or if ordinary news ought to be left off of a personal letter I could write separately Del is not trying to make fun - not that we will never tease Q, but being respectful at the moment

We have some identifying for our Master Wizard to do; at the same time Del will ritual Comprehend Languages to read the cryptic letter from the hag fight, and the markings on the hyena skulls, and make another attempt at the torn map Investigation 19

(Are we together again? I just want to make sure before I officially post because Q also has goodies to pass out to everyone.)

Yep, if Mindartis, Raven and Del have come back to the hall, they should have no trouble meeting Quentin and Elwin there...though Elwin will be looking pretty sleepy.

"Doing alright Elwin?" Mindartis asks, chuckling slightly

“I can write him and send it today. I’m sure he’ll want to hear this right away so I can even use a little magic for it to be delivered instantly. Oh....before I start to identify I do have gifts as well, from the druids.” Quentin pulls out 6 potions of greater healing and 4 potions of Superior healing. He gives everyone, besides himself, a potion of superior healing and one of greater healing. He takes the last two potions of greater healing for himself. He also hands Raven her letter. “The druids were quite generous and I hope these go a long way.”

Mindartis takes the potions, "The druids have been very generous. I also hired a gnome to help with our horses should we find ourselves in a place where we can't take care of them." If they're enough room or a place to hang it up Mindartis will pull out the portable dungeon and introduce Skizzix to the rest of the party.