The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Wash indicates "Bririck has sent us to deliver a package to you. We do not know what it is beyond that it should help prevent the threat of war" and he pulls the sack out from his backpack, unfolds it and pulls out the locked metal box and hands it to Ancis Trey. 

He continues "I should let you know that we are being watched by the local Crownsguard. I would usually not be too concerned about that, though given we have recently come across an undead threat - and a thief related to that threat who was a bit too keen to be taken into Crownsguard custody, I think it is best for us to have a cover story for this visit." 

Wash then takes the clockwork timepiece/pocketwatch he bought in Hupperdook and gives it to Ancis Trey "I would like to gift you this. If questioned about the visit, I will indicate that it was in part to check up on you for our mutual friend and in part to deliver this gift to you from our mutual friend. Hopefully it add some weight to any story."  

Alton follows along and finds a spot to sit where it will be a less disturbance to the piles of documents and whatnot.

Trey takes the locked box hesitantly, looks at it as though he really does not want to be seeing it, and puts it down on a small table to his side.

Thank you.  Thank you for delivering this.  I am glad to hear the Bririck is... well, it seems he is well?  No,  young man, I will not take anything else from you.  I am sure the guard is not a problem not at all.  And now, and I apologise for my poor manners in this case, but I must ask you to leave and not return.   You made your delivery, and now we are done. 

The change in his manner is severe.  He stands abruptly, and indicates the door that leads out of the house.

Silent is quick to walk out of the room. When the others follow, he'll ask Wash or Alton, What's all this about? Who is that guy anyway? 

Magnum leaves with the others.

Balassar just nods as he stands "Sir, if possible before we go have you ever heard of a Master Artori in this area?" he asks looking at the man waiting for an answer.

Trey seems preoccupied staring at the box he has received, but he mutters to Balassar:  No, no, not heard that name.  Good day.

Alton looks a bit confused for a moment and studies the man before him just to see if they might be missing something.

Insight: 12 

Balassar just nods as he begins to walk out 'Thank you for your time."

As they leave and the front door opens, Wash pointedly introduces Geta and Ancis "Geta, please meet Master Ancis Trey, a good friend of a good friend of mine."

This is mostly because Wash is still a little concerned that he is handing over the parcel without having and way of confirming that this is Master Trey, though given Geta knew that this was his house, he hopes she will indicate if this is not him.

Alton, he's not easy for you to read.  You don't suspect anything in particular.

Geta gives a salute, a little confused at your words, but she doesn't seem to be surprised as Trey nods to her and then closes the house door behind you all.

You stand together in the street, which is largely empty.  You hear the noises of the smithy down the road, and a single cart is moving towards you, the halfling driver's eyes wandering around and taking in the sights.

Alton just shakes his head as they exit and looks around as they stand outside. "I'm going to go over to the smithy for a moment." He says to his companions before walking in that direction and giving the halfling in the cart a friendly wave as he passes them. 

Alton, make a Perception check.  Anyone walking with Alton to the smithy can do the same.

Perception: 21

The halfling in the cart does not seem to notice your wave, though he is looking at you.  He seems to be looking around for something, but you can't say what.  The cart passes and heads off down the street.

The smithy is open and busy; though there are no customers at the moment, there are three halflings at work.  One is an older woman, and a younger man and woman.  The older woman works the forge and is engrossed in her work; it's the younger woman who waves as you approach, though she does not speak and continues with her work of  sweeping the floor.

Alton smiles and waves at the young lady, "Ah, hello there. I was wondering if I could ask about possibly getting some work done."

Oh?  the woman says.  She looks at you, sizing you up.  A customer is it?  Haven't seen you around, mate, but your money's always welcome.  What can we do for you?  Need a sword or suchlike?  Know how to use one?

The man glances up from his work sharpening a dagger at a whetstone, grins, and looks down again at what he is doing.

Alton smiles, "I've been to Felderwin only a handful of times, mostly my dad was the one that made the trips into town. I'm Alton." He taps the rapier on his belt, "I have an idea of how to use one, but I've found I like to not be that close and that my words can cut a bit more than a sword. I actually wanted to see if it was possible to make my armor a little better."

Well, get it off and let's have a look at it.  Where did you get it?

Alton removes the leather shoulder pads and breastplate, he does have a long-sleeved shirt on underneath the armor. He hands the armor over for inspection, "Well, my ma actually made it from leather scraps that she could get from the ranchers down in the Tillage; that is where my family lives. I know it isn't professionally made, but it protects better than just clothes."