With Balassar controlling the reigns, Silent will attempt to whistle for Ghost and, if he shows up, try to engage the wolf in some scintillating conversation. 

Animal Handling 6  

Perception 10  

Alton, you search and search through the journal. Coming back to it now, and devoting your attention to it, you are more and more certain that it holds a secret that is very dangerous, and very important, and that Alator wanted you, or at least one of his descendents, to follow the trail he had left. You wonder why it is so carefully hidden, encrypted, and how he intended you to decipher what you are seeing. Surely a chance encounter with an undead mage in a tower cannot have been part of his plans, but there's no doubt you've made more progress with the documents recovered during your adventure than you ever could have alone. During these few days, you think again and again of the short verse you believe you have understood, and the first three words: "Three stand tall." You feel yourself on the cusp of understanding what this means, and resolve to think more on it when you arrive in Zadash.

Balassar, you feel the music inspire you, and flow through you. The song is beautiful, and it's more than likely Alton will join in from time to time, though he is mostly engrossed in his books and searches. You spend one night in the company of other travellers, a group of religious folk headed south to Alfield on the Raven Queen's business. If you care to perform for them, they will enjoy the song very much - they are a less sombre bunch than you might expect.

Silent, there is no sign of Ghost. You hope you might meet him again some time, but for now, he has gone his own path. Perhaps you feel some sadness at this, or perhaps he is back in the wildlands where he might be happier than following your group into towns and cities that frighten and confuse him.

Your prisoners are quiet and cause no trouble. They ignore you and make no attempt to interact.

On the sixth day out of Alfield, on the 24th day of the month of Cuersaar, you see up ahead the walls and gates of Zadash. Traffic on the road has become noticeably heavier the last two days or so, mostly merchants and mercenaries, with some Crownsguard patrols as well. You have not been stopped or questioned about your business, but it's clear as you approach the gate that everyone who enters is being questioned - and searched - thoroughly. There's a queue to get through; it's midday now, and you doubt you'll get through much before sunset, unless you want to try to cut the line. But that's up to you...

What will you do?

Alton climbs out of the back of the prisoner wagon and hops up in the front with Balassar. "I think we should just wait until it is our turn at the gate. It might be a good idea to not draw too much attention with the cargo we are hauling. You remember what we are suppose to do right?" He will hand over the letter with the instructions and the sealed letter to Balassar. 

Silent nods and says, Aye, we're in no hurry and best to keep a low profile. Good time to have a drink while we wait, eh? He will pour out wine for the three of them from the bottles Alton got in Alfield. 

Alton will take up one of the glasses that Silent poured. "Thanks Silent." He sips on the wine as they slowly make their way up to the gates. "I wonder what Zadash is like. It looks a lot bigger than Felderwin." 

Balassar will begin to read the letter looking at what it has to say "It's a great city. Lot of good people, hardworking people. Never got to go to the fancier parts, though I heard those are good to. Lots of party and alcohol in those areas."

 The  sealed envelope is addressed to Lawmaster Orentha Stonegrasp.

The note reads:

When you reach Zadash, give the enclosed envelope to any Crownsguard at the gate. Take a room at the Song and Supper Inn, but wait overnight with the carriage. Do not let the prisoners leave the carriage during the daytime. Deliver the prisoners to Lawmaster Stonegrasp and no other.  Thank you my friends, and good luck.

You have a cart and a carriage; it's difficult to drive both and also have a conversation in private, and there are plenty of people passing by. Tell me what you're doing and where you're going, and how. :)

Alton is hanging out on the carriage with Balassar, standing up in his seat to try and get a look past the gates into Zadash. "Maybe we can find a way to get you into one of those fancy parties. I know you like your booze, and maybe they have really fancy booze." 

Balassar just shrugs “It’s alright, everyone knows the best parties are in the lower areas anyway. Plus I’ll be happy to just see my family again.”

Alton, there's a lot of people and you don't get much of a view into the city, not from out here.

Looking at Balassar, Silent says, Wanna hand over our friends in the cart first or find your folks first? I'm good either way. 

Alton sits back down with a sigh, but perks back up at Balassar mentioning seeing his family. "Oh! That would be great. I could tell about all of your big fights and how you challenged that one guy to a duel and made his so scared that he couldn't even land a hit on you. What was his name again? Noodle Arms, no, maybe that was their group name. I don't really remember."

Balassar just nods "Probably best to accomplish the mission first. I'm sure my family would love to hear about our exploits, Surina would be especially pleased with embarrassing stories." he just looks in the direction of Zadash "I just hope the money and material I've sent back have helped them, along with the deal with that rich guy back in Hupperdook."

(OOC: I'm guessing we're all staying in the queue to get into the gates, then? Not sure if any of us have anything else to get done while waiting - Silent doesn't.) 

((OOC: Same with Alton, he is just sipping on the wine Silent gave him and sitting up front with Balassar.))

It takes a long time before your turn comes, but come it eventually does, with an hour to go before sunset. The line behind you is still pretty long, but people seem to be patient and good natured about the delay - for the most part. There's an elf merchant shooting his mouth off about sixty feet further back, but you've managed to tune him out.

"State your names, and your business in the city," a human woman in Crownsguard uniform says in a bored voice as you halt the carriage before the gate.

Another guard, a halfling man, moves towards the carriage door.

Is anyone inside with the two prisoners?

Balassar just holds out the letter “Balassar Silverstone, these are my companions Alton and Silent. Before you open those doors, please read this letter. About our business with Lawmaster Orentha Stonegrasp in the city and the specific cargo we have.”

((OOC: I don't think anyone is inside with the prisoners.)) 

While Balassar is dealing with the first guard, Alton will hop off the carriage and meet up with guard going to the back.

(OOC: Silent, at this point rather inebriated, quickly realizes that the prisoners are not guarded, swears under his breath and looks with wide eyes at the guard going to the back, holding his breath while Alton goes to meet with him)

Balassar, the guard takes the letter and reads it, and then re-reads it, her eyes going wide. "I... Are you sure you're supposed to be showing this to me? This seems... crap, this is way above my pay grade. It looks authentic, from Felderwin." She hands it back, very quickly. 

Alton, the  halfling guard approaches the carriage door, climbs up on the step and looks inside, gasps in shock and reaches for his weapon...