Kendrick, she does not have any interest in you, nor does she seek body heat. When she gets the drink, she turns it down gently by saying "Sorry, I don't drink" she pauses for a moment, then gets up to start singing beautifully.

Kendrick:

Just when his brain was about to start working again and he realizes she just asked him a question--and a puzzling one at that--Tella suddenly releases him and steps out from behind the boxes to start singing along with the others.  "Uh....uh....okay" says Kendrick, still a bit stunned as he moves out from behind the boxes and busies himself with assisting the crew.  He does, however, listen to Tella's mellifluous melodies rather carefully, although he tries to not be obvious about it (Deception:  *1).

"Bridged City!"  the captain calls.  "Bridged City"

You don’t walk into the Bridged City so much as ascend to it, climbing a winding stone staircase that starts at the bridge over the Durek River and ends at the city gate. It’s like a maze, though a beautifully constructed one. Four proud mountain peaks make up the bones of the city, with a crumbled fifth peak a reminder of the toll the Blood Monsoon took here. Bridges and platforms span the city, wrapping around and running between the mountains, and humanoid traffic trudges along them like ants. You could fit a hundred Durgan’s Rests into the Bridged City, and still have room left over for a couple of market towns. It’s vast and imposing, but if answers exist to the problem of Mesos’ Bane, or the woman who stole from Tsendur, they will be found in the Academy, at the heart of the city.

It is now midday, and the snow has stopped.  Enough has accumulated to create a satisfying "crunch" when you walk.  There are many people coming and going on the stone stairway to the city gates.

After departing the boat you make your way to the road.  To your left is the start of the stair cases that climb up to the Bridged City.  To your right, a few hundred feet down the road, you see a boy with a sword confronting an old man on a wagon.  You can't be certain from this distance, but it looks like the boy is demanding something from the man on the wagon, and will not let the man continue down the road.

Osso

"Which way? Man need help. Maybe." Osso seems to want to help the man, but also knows the journey infront of them may be long. He looks to his companions for guidance.

Kendrick:

"I am not familiar with the local laws or customs, Osso, but I agree that we should help that man if we can," replies Kendrick to Osso's question, turning to the right and starting to move that way.

"Wow, I've never seen so many bridges in my life!" Tella says, astounded by the architecture of these odd mountains. She then starts the climb up the stairs, not noticing the group going the other way nor the kid and old person.

Balos before reaching the city 

"You 'eard right." he said before downing the ale then standing to go find somewhere to relieve himself.

Balos upon reaching the city

Balos is silent as he climbs the staircase. When he see the kid harassing the old man Balos will follow Kendrick.

Bilick nods to the others and follows them towards the man and boy. Remembering his own childhood, he will caution them "Let's all be careful. We dinnae know what that situation is here. That boy may be jes' trying to provide for his kin. Don't ye be rushing in there any of ye, okay?"

Osso

Following close behind Kendrick, Osso will stow his Greataxe, so as to not appear too threatening. Instead drawing a handaxe from his belt. He will approach but let another do the talking.

Kendrick:

Kendrick strolls up casually on the scene, using his longspear as a walking stick now that he is in the city, its fearsome blade wrapped loosely with a cloth scabbard so as not to frighten the locals (or perhaps break any local customs on exposed blades).  He takes a moment to listen and observe before plowing into the conversation, although perhaps his relaxed but unsubtle approach may interrupt the scene anyway.

You travel down the well maintained dirt road to here you can hear what the kid is saying, or rather yelling.  "You old fool," the boy says. "If you don't pay me the toll, I'll be forced to cut you down from on top of that wagon."

"What toll," The man says. "There's no toll on this road.  It was built during the great Titan war and is maintained by taxes from the Bridged City."

(Tella, I'll come back to you entering the city after this encounter)

Osso

Turning to Kendrick "Bad guy? But boy." He says with a cocked eyebrow. Osso had never seen such disrespect from one so young. Confused, he waits, ready for one of his colleagues to react to the situation.

Kendrick:

Having seen pack tactics in the wild, Kendric looks carefully in the surrounding area for the boy's companions -- it is difficult to conceive of one such as he trying to shake down a traveler in the middle of the day on a public street without some kind of hidden advantage...

(Kendrick, the insight roll reveals to you that yes, there are likely more bandits hidden in the woods.  You also have a feeling that intimidation will not work.  The boy is young and foolish.  This is probably all he knows. Also, a fight may not be needed to end this conflict.)

Kendrick:

Looking around in vain for Tella, who might be able to charm this young man, Kendrick shrugs and moves to engage the situation himself.

Walking casually up to the wagon, Kendrick asks the older man, “So, what’s going on here, honored uncle? Is there a problem?”  He nods to the older man first, then acknowledges the young man as well, showing him respect but not the deference due an elder.

While Kendrick talks to the old man Bilick will go, not unkindly, over to the boy.

"That's a bit o' serious talk from someone so young. Cutting someone down, no matter if they be an old fool or not, is not to be said lightly. What's yer name, lad? What's the sitch-yee-ation here?"

Bilick approaches with his arms out and his club and wand put away, so the boy can see he's not currently carrying any weapons.

The orc sitting atop the cart is a large hunk of meat, scars line is face and exposed arms from his years of battle. He wears simple clothing and has a tattoo of a bear on its hind legs roaring fiercely on his right arm. A cross bow can be seen tucked closely behind him and he has a long sword sheathed on his hip.

"This boy wants toll that doesn't exist. I want no trouble, just need to find...wait...you looks like who I am looking for. Tsendur sent me to join you. We will discuss this later"

Directed at the boy. 

"There no toll. I no pay you. Move along boy!"

Kendrick:

Kendrick will wait to see the boy's response to Bilick before he says more, but he keeps a wary eye on the tree line.

"Back off or I'll take your arm clean off.  You don't understand." The boy says. "This is how my dad made a living to support us," The boy says, "And it's how I'm going to provide for us now!" He seems hesitant, and takes a step back when approached.  Nevertheless, he raises his sword, and demands: "Five gold pieces each." 

Osso

Confused by the situation, Osso steps towards the boy. Replacing his axe to his belt, not wanting to appear overly aggressive, he interlocks his fingers, stretches his arms forward and cracks his knuckles. "You need fight someone boy? Here" He slaps both hands on his chest. He readies himself for some action.