(Anything else anyone wants to do or are you ready to move along to the hike up the Paw?)

(Berdor is good)

Ready to hike!

Zeenon's along for the ride.

Korvash is ready for the hike.

OOC: Breyten is good to go

The hike up the Paw is arduous, but in a way kind of pleasant. As you crown above the treeline after about an hour, you are able to see the village of Havenglen below you, a tiny hamlet amidst a sea of verdant trees and woods. As you hike higher and higher, you even get a glimpse of Varna, the home base for the journalists of the group. The trail is pretty clear so its hard to get lost, one of the legacies of the Warden's stewardship of these Woods.

After about two hours, you do reach the top of the ridge, and in front of you is an old fort -- a relic of the Last War amidst fears that armies would invade the reaches in an attempt to attack Aundair.

Your progress is halted by a singular human on horseback who comes out from the fort to meet you. He's wearing chain mail underneath a cloak emblazoned with the emblem of House Vadalis.

"Not many people make the hike up here just visitin'. Can I hep you fellas?" He says warily, his hand on his belt hovering near a nasty-looking firearm on his belt.

Berdor only

"Ah, hello sir," Korvash greets. "We have good relations with House Vadalis. Have you seen a dwarf coming through here? I believe his name is Bilick Glassanvil. And sorry, one quick question, but would you know anything about who or what has been attacking the Wardens -- and now the townsfolk? Something about it living up here."

Peace steps out toward the front of the now stopped party.  He had been having a really hard time keeping up with the rest of the younger kids.  

"Greetings.  It is always a pleasure to meet another representative of House Vadalis.  In addition to Korvash here's questions, I want to introduce ourselves.  I am Peace Haran, and we are members of a reporting team from the Varna Free Post.  We've been investigating the attacks and now deaths."

The man looks over all of you. He is lanky and hard looking and even though you have identified yourselves, he does not look any less suspicious of you. He spits at the ground at your feet and looks you dead in the eyes, Korvash, as he speaks. "There ain't nothing up here other than Mr. d'Vadalis and his party. I don't much like what you're insinuatin', stranger. And we ain't seen no dwarf other than the guests who came with young Mr. Caldeen. That dwarf ain't that Bilick fella, neither.

He turns to you Peace and sneers. "I'll tell you what I told that nosey little gnome. We ain't seeing no reporters. This is a private retreat for Mr. d'Vadalis and his nephew to confirm the succession process. We don't want no one here for this other than those what been invited."

He snorts and picks up the reins of his horse again. "Y'all be on your way, now. If you like, let me know where you folks is putting up and I'll be sure and tell Mr. d'Vadalis if'n he cares to speak to anyone.

It's clear that the guard intends this as a dismissal.

Korvash looks around to his friends. "Well, he's definitely not inviting. Shall we go look for Bilick on our own then?"

Disheartened by the tone of the guard, he turns to everyone. "We don't seem to be welcome with open arms here. There be whispers in the wind, so we should move along to not cause more problems." When Berdor says this he makes a circling motion with his hand and eyes the trees or other locations someone may be hidden. 

Berdor calls out to the guard before he gets too far away. "Sir, if you may. If Mr. d'Vadalis would like to speak with us, find a small critter, like a squirrel or bird. Tell them you would like to see Berdor Burrowfound and they will find us. It sounds odd, but I have a way with nature you see!" Berdor wants to check on the tone of the guard when he responds to see if he is being truthful or just continues to be nasty with the group. 

Peace sighs, "Right.  We will be on our way.  We do not wish to impede on the graces of one of our greatest patrons."  

Frustrated, Peace asks the party once out of earshot of the guard "Do any of you have any way to track where the dwarf went?  I would like to continue searching.  Something of this whole situation feels wrong to me.  Is there perhaps a way of getting one of your animal friends into the fort?  Maybe get eyes on whatever is happening there?"

Berdor chuckles softly. "Of course lad, I can definetely have one of my....animal friends....make its way into the fort." Berdor winks at Peace and nudges him with his dirty elbow. "I wouldn't want this....animal friend...to be in there too long so they don't get hurt! No longer than say, an hour?"

The man on the horse chuckles sardonically. "Mister, believe me, if'n Dalin d'Vadalis or his nephew want to speak ta you, he'll be able to find ya. But sure, I'll tell him what ya said." He sounds sincere when he says this, and he tips his cap to you Peace, as you lead the group away. "Much obliged to you, sir. Y'all have a good day now." He says to you all and leads to horse back to the old fort -- Berdor, you sense that whatever it was around you has dispersed somewhat, but you are still being watched.

As the man is tipping his cap, there is another flash. Zeenon's finger is hovering above the camera once again. Though the device is not held to the construct's face, it might have been pointed at the man on the horse. When the man looks at the warforged, Zeenon says, "Pretty horsey," in a calm sort of way.

The rider snarls and his hand moves towards the gun on his hip as Zeenon takes a picture with the camera, but the horse -- the same breed you all rode into Havenglen on -- seems to have different thoughts and trots around, turning the rider away from you.

"Get control of your...thing, hacks."

It is at this point he rides away, mumbling something about crazy warforged sums o *****es....

Out of earshot, Peace asks "Berdor, if you are able to take a look, I think it may be best.  There is something being hidden here and I do not like it."

"Of course, of course! The trees have eyes here...we should move away."

(Berdor -- let me know what you're WIld Shaping into and roll for stealth.)