Balassar, the Crownsguard reads the letter while the merc looks you up and down. Sure. I mean, the Lawmaster will be at the King's Hall, so maybe you should try there. The guard hands the letter back. You new in town? What's this about?

Balassar nods as he lowers his voice to make sure only they can hear “Yeah, we are. Unfortunately a little while ago while guarding something’s our member was attacked by Krynn Echo Knights. So you can see why I’m trying to alert you all, so we can catch those Kricks before they get outta the city.”

Atlon hurriedly exits the tavern, still in his pajamas, and sees Balassar already talking with some people. He catches up with him, and between heavy breaths, says, "Balassar, wait! Just listen for a minute and think, please." 

Balassar, make a Persuasion check to see if the Crownsguard believe all this wild talk of Krynn Echo Knights.

Alton, you arrive on the scene as this is happening; I don't think you would hear what Balassar said.

OOC: Persuasion check: 21

Look, sir, they were probably just thieves or the like. Glad you weren't hurt. But yes, please go to the King's Hall and make a full report. Damn brigands think they can get away with murder now there's a war on, but the war will end, and then we'll have the resources to hunt the filth down and hang them high, don't doubt it.

(The guard doesn't think you're lying, but clearly doesn't believe you've seen actual Kryn in the city.   The two look like they're going to walk on their way.)

Balassar just glares at them “Weren’t no thieves trust me on that. It’s fine though I’ll make sure to include that you two ignored the report of enemy infiltration into the city. I’m sure the Lawmaster and Captain of the Watch will enjoy that part.”

The two nod, and walk away leaving Balassar in the middle of the street.

Did you say there are kricks, here in the city? The speaker is wheeling a barrow full of root vegetables, a gnome who has stopped to stare at Balassar.

Balassar just looks at the gnome “No, now mind your own business.”

With that he just looks at Alton and then begins making his way to the Lawmaster’s house.

Alton, Balassar is walking (marching? stomping?) off. What are you doing?

Alton slips the gnome a gold coin, "Sorry for my friend's rudeness. We got some bad news and he isn't taking it well." He will then trot off to catch Balassar, grabbing his hand to try and slow him down, "Please listen for a second. The people who know what we were bringing are going to meet with us at the wagon. If we tell them what happened they can bring us to the right people that will need to know and how to handle this. If you just go telling every crownsgard it won't end well, especially out in the open like this. We don't know if the lawmaster even knows what is going on. Let's just go back to the wagon and wait with Silent for them to show up. I get that you're upset and worried, I am too, but this isn't the way we need to handle this. Please, just come back to the wagon."

Balassar just stops and looks at Alton “And what give ‘em more lead time. More chance to hurt someone who crosses their path. We don’t know when those folks will show up at the cart Alton.”

Alton stops too and stares back at Balassar, "The letter says they will be here in the morning and that isn't too far off. I don't want to give them that time either, but think about what Silent told us. They showed up without anyone knowing, what's not to say they've left without anyone knowing too. You've seen me cast spells, one of them letting me talk to someone I know over a long distance. What if they magically teleport in and out of the city? If you cause a ruckus and nothing comes of it, we all might be arrested for disturbing the peace or something; then they will really be gone." He sighs and let's go of Balassar's hand, "I won't stop you from going, I just want you to think through what you are doing before taking a drastic action."

Balassar just sighs “It’s different Alton, this is my home and my family is here. If this had happened on your town wouldn’t you be trying to keep your family safe? I don’t even want to get started with the fact that mysteriously this happened under Silent’s watch and that just happens to be when the cargo went missing.”

Alton nods, "I get it, and I would want my family to be safe. I worry about them all the time. I've had weird people and creatures try to attack me because of what every my great granddad found. Some shadow organization has a target on me and my family because of that, and I'd like to tell the crownsguard so they can deal with it; but I don't have anything to give them. It is similar here too. Sure we have that letter, but it is just instructions on where to go, what to do, and whom we are meeting with. There isn't anything in there about what we had in the wagon." He takes a breath and rubs his eyes as he feels himself getting worked up, "As for who this happened under, it could have been any of us on watch. I probably would have done the same as Silent. I don't have the same battle powers as you or him, and most of my spells are to help both of you in a fight. I'm sure he feels bad about it, and this has all three of us in a bad spot. That's why I think all three of us should be at the wagon when our contact arrives, so we can lessen the suspicions on us. It's like forging something, right. You'd take the time to be patient with the metal early on so you don't have to waste more time fixing a mistake later half way through."

Balassar just grunts in frustration as Alton talks "Fine, I'll come back. I just don't like how this looks he could have yelled and caused a commotion, worked to draw attention to the situation as he escaped. On top of that the first instinct is to run after this happens." as he walks towards Alton "Also, what was that about a shadow organization?"

Alton rubs the back of his neck as he and Balassar walk back to the wagon, “I’ll tell you when we get back to the wagon. Silent should hear about this too.” 

Balassar just shrugs as they walk “Alright.”

Silent, waiting by the now empty carriage, sees Balassar and Alton enter the alleyway and approach.

Silent is seated on the ground outside the carriage and has gathered up the bottles and/or mugs of liquour he drank the night before (from the barrel they purchased) and lined them up. He has his sword across his knees and is wiping it with his cloak. He nods at Alton and Balassar and says nothing.