The blacksmith shrugs again.

"It’s an old legend, but people started gettin’ kidnapped again recently.  Doubt it’s some bat."

Kethra laughs nervously along the tales of the mythic creature. "It may be a legend, Master Blacksmith, but has a reward been offered for it?"

Nature check if allowed, to see if they should fear this legend: 7

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

To Kethra, "And thank you for doing the same."

If he's okay with it, Kethra takes would take the old wizard's hand, places 5 gold coins and gently closes his own fingers around it.

"Mr. Tyde, would we better prepared if you bought more charcoal for your 'wizardly business'? Just in case."

Quote from Mehmen >>

Although a fair bit confused, Xanranzan turned to keep look outside. He hadn't forgotten about the whole Whetstone situation, or the request from Tyde. Yet like most Earth Genasi, the stone skinned man could be patient.

Mostly....

Noticing Xanranzan being impatient (would he be fidgeting with his swords or something?) Kethra would wave to the bard.

"Xan! I'll switch with you for a second so you can ask your questions and buy your stuff. I think he prefers it if you ask him only one thing at a time...be nice, ok? He means well."

Taking Xanranzan's place, Kethra's pale blue eyes will scan the surrounding area for danger. (Passive Perception 12, but I can also roll if you want.)

Tyde, you get the impression that while he is brusque, it’s just his normal way of speaking.

(In response to Xan’s other question I forgot to answer:)

”Well, mostly just rumors.  Nothing concrete, just whispers of shady dealings."

To Kethra:

"Nah, no reward.  See, no one’s actually seen it."

To Tyde:

"Course.  There’s always plenty around."

Xanranzan isn't fidgeting or anything like that, and you haven't known him long pick up most of the nuances. But he certainly appears more attentive than usual, which could be a sign? Hard to say with a guy who, if he stood still and changed up his wardrobe could be mistaken for a very unique statue.

Anyways, Xanranzan quirks a brow and looks about to say something, but is stopped as much by Kethra stepping up as he was by the blacksmith eventual response. Deciding to take up the opportunity to be more forward, he steps up to Kethra's original place and nodded to the smith. "That so? Huh... Well--" He stops, and glances to the others briefly before clearing his throat awkwardly. "Thanks fer the head's up then. But about dem whetstone. Got any to spare?" He asked as he dug out the coin to pay for at least two them. Or if the man had a blade maintenance kit, he pays for that as well.

Once everyone is squared away with the smith, he's ready to head back to the tavern to get back to a team meeting. Although before then he asks the pair of recently rescued peeps if they still need escorting or think they might be able to find their way back home from Wormfort.

"Shall we head back to the tavern to talk." Rubin more states than asks as he stands near the door, his crossbow bolts already packed away, as he did not need to purchase any this time around, thanks to those given to him earlier.

The blacksmith nods, and tosses Xan an old whetstone.

"No charge.  It’s a rock."

At Xanranzan and Rubin's mention of going to a tavern Kethra begrudgingly nods, then politely bows to her guildmate.

"Thank you for all your help, Master Blacksmith. Before we take our leave, is there anything you would like us to help with, or keep an eye out for?"

The blacksmith shrugs.

"Eh.  I’m not to bothered by this smuggler fellow, but others might be.  Nothin’ else for me."

Kethra sees Mr. Tyde's familiar, clasps her hands together, jumps up and down and as she cautiously tries to approach it she just won't stop talking lol

"Aww, he's so fluffy! Can I touch him? It's a him, right? I've never seen a bird with such pale white feathers! Can I get one? Where do you buy them? (whispering) And it's just like my hair... "

Xanranzan looked a bit wide-eyed at the blacksmith for the freely given stone, but more than happily takes it with a "Aww shucks! Thanks bossman" before following the others out.

Later at the tavern,  after waiting a moment to look around and make sure no patrons or servers were too close to the table, Xanranzan leans in, looking all conspiratorial-like before saying, "So, I ain't the only that thinks this smuggler guy might be work'n fer dem water culty guys right? I mean, who better than the type to spirit people off without them needing to really raise too much immediate alarm."  He states. "And if the hunch is right, what say ya'll to having a conversation with this fella? Or, and I hate to use the word 'Or' for this, is there any other troubles involving those culty fellas that we can follow up on?"

"I think speaking with the smuggler is a good option." Rubin agrees. "As for other things to follow up on, not sure what else, other than that place under the keep, where we saved you guys, but I would prefer to get a bit stronger in my own skills before trying that place again."

Xanranzan gives Kethra a confused sidelong glance, not having really gotten it all. So, he turns on Tyde and starts to say, "Later? Then... what's the plan fer now? I know we got dem other fellas two fellas--" Before the table likely gets bumped for his not looking around as she had for anyone being either on guard or generally suspicions after so bold an announcement. Even then the earth genasi looked even more confused, but would wait until at least someone broached the topic.

The townspeople seem to look at you askance, and a noticeable bubble of space opens up around you.  No one seems more effected by the name than anyone else.

"So are we done here yet?" Rubin asks with a glance around at the others. "Let's just go and see what this smuggler has to say."

Her pale blue eyes scanning the crowd, Kethra looks visibly disappointed.

"Well, that was embarrassing," she declares quiet enough just for the party to hear at first.

Deception: 18

(edited for low roll RP) But turning a bit red from a bit of drink she's had before, she declares a little too loudly, "Haven't these smugglers ever heard of a good ol' tavern brawl? Did they what, take a vow against alcohol?!"

Realizing that what she said was not a whisper, she hides herself under her hood, coughs a few times in a poor attempt to cover up what she said and starts packing up.

Quote from DragonDenn >>

"So are we done here yet?" Rubin asks with a glance around at the others. "Let's just go and see what this smuggler has to say."

After that bit of embarrassment, Kethra dejectedly starts strapping on her scale mail and shield.

After that whole display with Kethra, Xanranzan just about open his mouth to comment on it. Yet after a moment's hesitation and a glance to the other party members, who seemed content to sweep it under the rug, he closes his trap without another word, and just tries to find a moment to pat her on the shoulder. "Well, consider'n he is what he is, and we're close to the waterfront-..." Xanranzan shudders in displeasure at the last word. ".. My guess would be somewhere around there. Especially if he's been doing the you know what on the sly this whole time. Ya feel me?" 

"I would agree, checking docks and areas near the river is likely our best option." Rubin says.

Tyde, your owl sees a shadier looking boat than the rest.  The crew looks more like trained thugs than sailors, and the ship looks to have some sort of hidden cargo in it based on how it’s riding in the water.

Quote from Mehmen >>

After that whole display with Kethra, Xanranzan just about open his mouth to comment on it. Yet after a moment's hesitation and a glance to the other party members, who seemed content to sweep it under the rug, he closes his trap without another word, and just tries to find a moment to pat her on the shoulder. "Well, consider'n he is what he is, and we're close to the waterfront-..." Xanranzan shudders in displeasure at the last word.

The hooded girl suddenly slips to the side so that when he tries to pat her shoulder, the chiseled man finds his hand on top of her head instead. She looks up at him with a mischievous little laugh and a smile. When he shudders at the word "waterfront" she blinks back in confusion.

"You don't like water?"

Quote from DragonDenn >>

"I would agree, checking docks and areas near the river is likely our best option." Rubin says.

"I thought you were scared of water too? Did you bravely conquer your fear, Rubin?"

This objection spouts from the pale eyed girl in the back of the traveling party, who (for now) seems to have secured the hand of the dual-wielding swordsman to stay put on her head with one hand of her own.

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Tyde leads the others to where they need to go on the docks to find this ship.

"Want me to go back into town and yell yell yell at where they are?" Kethra suggests. "If a fight breaks out with no witnesses, it's just our word against theirs, and I bet you 5 gold coins they are paying off some high up trusted authority person here already. And if your owl is a guy, can I call him...Allistair?"

While Kethra still has her thinking ability, the continuous pressure kept down on her head seems to be affecting her vocabulary as she mumbles the name.