First parker draws up an order for the safety inspection

then the checklist, and official designations as inspectors for himself and Dart

forgery check : 12

Figuring that the military governor knows about the seizure of the ship and its placement under fist control, you immediately start working on an official looking military order. Figuring that the storing of the meat might have taken some time if Dart was right about the slaughtering operation having gone on for a week, you invent concerns that the meat in some of the earlier cans may have spoilt and that they need to be checked, and if needs be replaced, before the ship leave for the front line. You make sure to include a sentence or two about Dart and you being entrusted to perform the inspection, and make sure to give yourselves the ranks of quartermaster sergeant and staff sergeant respectively, to give the whole and air of credibility and make sure you're not going to be harangued by privates. Since you've dealt with money orders and material requisitions from the side of the military, you have a reasonable grasp on the type of stationary and phrasing they use, to make it look official. The only problem is that you don't have a current list of Fist officers and would have to either wait, or just fake a seal and signature.

The checklist meanwhile is a piece of cake, and you borrow some forms for health inspections for the numerous new tea houses that have sprung up in the Eastway district as a template, focussing instead on the meat. Thanks to the can that Dart took along, you start to invent and add a few specific concerns of your own, to grant you an immediate air of expertise, such as questions concerning the packaging, the measures taken against saltwater corrosion of the seal, and questions to deal with measures to prevent dents and damages to the containers, or measures taken to prevent spoiling of the meat as a result of corroding or pierced containers. Pretty happy with your work, you set it aside for now to show to Dart or maybe Magnus later.

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Dart, the harbourmaster looks rather surprised at seeing a halfling before him. "Gramult sent you? Well, I guess these are dangerous times... Just make sure you guard these stores here and those over there come dusk. There's ten denari for you and your troop for the week." Seeing that you're still standing in front of him, he raises an eyebrow: "Something the matter?"

Parker looks around for anything that might be needed, then heads to the harbor to try and locate Dart from a distance

“Yes” I reply flatly not all too keen with the question of whom sent me to see him. I nod along when he indicate which stores need to be guarded and when.

“Is that ten denari per person?”

When asked the final question, “I was informed that someone impersonated a patriarch. What were they trying to gain access to?” I look around trying to seem only half interested and see if I recognize anyone or catch a glimpse of Uncle.

"They tried to get in there, that's why you're here to guard the place. And no, it's ten denari total. That's the agreed rate we have with Gramult. Where's the rest of your troop, anyway?" The harbourmaster seems impatient, not particularly willing to humour a halfling yeoman.

Looking around, you notice Parker approaching, but you see no sign of Uncle or anyone else from your group.

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Parker, getting to the harbour, you quickly make out Dart in the distance, being shown to a nearby warehouse by the harbourmaster. From the looks of things, his business doesn't seem to have the harbourmaster too thrilled, and he seems like he's frustrated to spend time with someone he obviously deems below him. Without a doubt in your mind, the man is a born bureaucrat- pretensious and pedantic, but wholly unimaginative or innovative.

“They should be along shortly.” I wave Parker over “In fact here comes one of them now” 

Continuing with the harbourmaster, “I’ll make sure they stay safe. I also have some questions about the Empress, but I don’t want to take much more of your time. If I could just see the records for the ship that should satisfy my questions”

"What are you talking about? I don't know of any such ship." Then looking over at Parker, in his fine robes and ink-stained hands, he gives you another incredulous look :"Are you serious?! I asked for guards, and I get a nosy halfling and a scribe? What'd I do to Gramult? This is unbelievable!" And with that he turns in disgust, ready to head off back to his counting house.

Insight: 18
Perception: 6 For any body language that would indicate deception. 
rerolling perception 7

The indignation at your question seems over the top, and you can't help but notice the quick look to the nearby Fist patrol after he turns to head back to his office.

said lowly "now was he performing for them or for us?"

Giving a shrug of my shoulders “Bit of both perhaps. Though I have a feeling he knows something. Question is ... how do we find out what he knows?”

"not with them lads within earshot i wouldnt think

“Maybe you could follow him to his office and show him those papers you were gonna make if you have them ready?” I offer trying to come up with some way to find more information on the empress. 

Giving a sideways glance to the Fist patrol, “They look like they may be far enough away that they can’t hear what you’re saying. Provided nothing gives them reason to get closer.”

Parker enters the harbor masters office

"Is this a more private place to chat?

I’ll move to just outside the door, keeping an eye on both the assigned goods that need watching and the Fist patrol. Also hopeful that I’ll be able to hear anything being said inside. 

Dart, you won't be able to hear what is said inside, but you can definitely position yourself in such away that you can keep both the warehouses and the patrol in sight.

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The harbourmaster looks up, surprised. "Yes, I assume so. Aren't you with the bodyguard though?". Looking you over, the harbourmaster quickly adds: "I guess not then. WHat is this concerning?"

This is concerning the EMpress, I need to know whatever information you may have on the ship.  Ive been tasked by those above to do a safety inspection on he, you know how beauracrats are, all the normal ones are doing their "special tasks" and they want something done it has to be done yesterday, so they find the lowest person that they can foist more work on and well here i am   (he is waving his papers around as though irritated at the process)  an this is supposed to be my off day so any info you may have would be most helpful

 not sure which roll so

Persuasion 15

deception 12

From my position of watching the warehouses and the Fist I keep my eyes peeled for any suspicious persons or any faces I might recognize. 

perception: 24

The harbourmaster takes a look at the order.

 "Look, I'm sorry, I can't say much. She was scheduled to get here a week ago, but then the Fist appeared, claiming she'd have to be moored out in the flotilla. I haven't been allowed there, it's all under the control of the military governor. If you don't belive me, it's all right there. YOu gotta take this inspection business up with them" He pushes a thick ledger across to you.

----------------------

Dart, as you stand outside, you hear a clock chime ten, before you see another troop of Fist approaching. One with a golden necklace showing a flame approaches his equivalent in the existing troop, and she hands him a parchment. The officer reads through the orders, nods, and draws his troop off, leaving the new troop in their place.