Pyre quietly drops a silver piece in the alms box, nods to the Herald, and heads out, thinking. 

As Jasper heads outside he speaks up. "Let's make sure we don't forget the horses in the market square. When we get to the tavern, dinner's on me tonight!"  He whistles a cheerful tune and begins heading in the direction of Rummy's.

Kellen grins. “Hear that, Malvech? Jasper just challenged us to an eating contest!”

"He should know better. After all I can eat more in one sitting then he does in an entire week." Malvech says with a chuckle as he smirks and gives a thumbs up to Kellen.

"Funny guys. Let's keep it within reason."  He laughs.

Kellen moves next to Pyre and speaks softly. “You seem distracted. Did visiting the temple bring back some... hard memories?”

"Yeah, I suppose so. I was the lost girl once. No one knows what my parents were working on. They must have known their work was dangerous as we moved from Feolinn to a remote keep between Feolinn and Nicodranas. Why did they, we, three gnomes, need a stone keep? What were they doing that was so dangerous that we had to be away from others and in a heavy stone keep? Well whatever it was it was stronger than the keep. My mother found me in the rubble, almost dead, only alive enough to cry." Pyre shakes her head. "Whatever. That was fifteen years ago. This is different. I feel like there is something else here that we're not getting but I have no clue why I feel that way." As suddenly as she grew serious, her face brightened and a slight smirk crossed her face. "I am curious though. Are we not still in the Empire? Am I wrong in remembering that Melora is outlawed in the Empire? If so Herald Clay is a very brave person. Those Crownguard are not to be trifled with. Alright, enough of all that. Let's get the horses, and head over to the tavern. Stable them there, get some drinks, procure rooms, and talk to this kid about Willa." She picks up the pace and mumbles to herself, "...dance?...not that...chaotic and wild but...dancing with my daggers..."  

Metagaming pigeon says coo coo *The Wildmother is NOT an approved diety in the Empire. The '7' are Erathis: The Lawbearer, Pelor: The Dawnfather, Moradin: The Allhammer, Raven Queen: The Matron of Ravens, Bahamut: The Platinum Dragon, Ioun: The Knowing Mistress. The party is outside the Empire in tbe Greying Wildlands north if the Empire having gone through the main thoroughfares into and out of the Wildlands goes through the ravine at the Quannah Breach, which opens up into a widening valley. There is a large forest called the Savalirwood that begins about halfway through Shadycreek Run. This temple is allowed. It having been built to try and prevent the spread the corruption of the Savalirwood. There is no formal government here.  There is NO guard presence in town hence why you as adventurers were hired* coo coo

Walking back towards Rummy's the party picks up their horses and walks through the center of the village with the market still busy. Most villagers murmur to each other and look curiously at the party as they move through the square. Some villagers blatantly point while others simply attempt to get your attention to sell you their wares. Moving through the people shopping, the party finds Rummy's Rest just on the cusp of the village. It's a newer building of packed earth that looks carved and molded as if by magic! A half of a rum barrel, as if hacked in half, hangs above the door and serves as a sign for the place. The words Rummy's Rest painted in dark black lettering. There's a post to tie the horses too and the party does so before going inside. Once inside the party finds a subdued yet cozy atmosphere. There are a dozen tables spread out over a large space on the bottom floor of the two-story tavern. The party pauses as a lithe male half-orc approaches with a towel tossed over his shoulder smiling at them and nodding. His tusks are large, his black hair is shaved on both sides leaving a flat looking tuff that hangs in his face, and he has greenish-gray skin covered with several healed cuts. For a half-orc he's handsome even with the violence that looks like has been visited on his body. He too wears clean simple clothing like much of the villagers and seems to be cleaning tables of the mess from the late morning crowd.

"Hello," he calls out not looking up from his work as a small monkey then shifts on his shoulder. The party then notices the half-orc's eyes are white.

A half-even woman then comes from behind the bar whipping her hands on her apron giving the party the once over.

"I think these are the people Wryn and Gael sent for husband," the half-elven woman calls out to the half-orc smiling then nodding to Jasper then Pyre with a large smile. "Are you looking for rooms then," she asks next as the half-orc stops cleaning moving slowly with pointed steps towards his wife reaching out and touching her before standing at her side. 

Jasper gives a big smile as he looks at the two innkeepers. "Ah, I feel like I'm home. This is a beautiful inn you have here. My friends and I are indeed looking for rooms. I'm a performer and play the lute, viol, flute, and pan flute. Perhaps I could play a bit later for some discounted room and board? I'm Jasper Nimblefingers. These are my companions Pyre, Kellen, and Mavlech."  He nods his head in greeting and points to each of them as he introduces them. He smirks. "Mavlech has the personality of a bugbear, but I promise he grows on you............Oh, one other thing, we were told there was a boy here that knows Willa and was the last person to see her. Perhaps we could speak to him for a moment when he's free?"

Malvech crosses his arms and gives the halfling a mock glare as he moves over and leans down so he can be heard clearly. "You know the more you insult me the less I want to make that crossbow instrument. Maybe I should go back to practicing with that net so I can grab you easier when you get yourself into trouble." To finish this he gives his friend the best evil look he can muster.

"Ah yes we have a room avaible," the half elf says looking at the centaur dubiously then back to the wee folk. "It's on the first floor here near the back. I should say the up stairs part of the tavern is private for the family," she adds with a nod.

"Halla where's your hospitality for our guests," the half-orc calls out gesturing towards the party. "I'm Rummy," he says next welcome to my tavern," he adds. "It'll be three silver a night for food and the room per person. Your music is welcome, that is, if you get to play. I hope the Fireside girl is found quickly so you can," he explains smiling softly. "As for the boy, Aldelaris he's in the stables. We offer boarding too. I assume you've brought horses? That would be a silver per day for food and board for your mounts," he finishes with a curt nod.

Kellen looks over at Jasper and Malvech and whispers to Pyre. "Maybe those two should share a room." 

To the half-orc and his wife he says, "One other thing, if possible. We were thinking of searching around the elven ruins, since Willa would play there. Do you know of any maps of the area or anyone that could give us a decent description of it?"

Jasper takes three gold coins out of his coin purse and hands them to the half elf. "That's for my friends and I. We also have three mounts to be stabled. Keep the rest for being so hospitable and kind. Once we get our horses stabled, would it be possible to get some food and drink?"

Pyre laughs, then responds to Kellen, "My thoughts exactly." 

Malvech saw the looks he was getting from the owners of the inn shrugging a bit as he looked towards Kellen and Pyre. "If there is enough room the three of you can share a room. I can find a place to sleep. Besides I stay awake later so I would not want to wake anyone up coming in late." 

OOC: Only the wife Mavlech because you 'were short with the wee folk' sje doesn't know you were kidding also you're a freggn' horse man in her house.... LOL

"Food can be provided but no I'm afraid besides the children none of us are foolish enough to go out to the ruins. There are the men in the search party that we're injured by the beast but I think they aren't going to be much help. They're pretty scared last I heard. There's cairns that mark the path to the ruins but... I don't recall which to follow. We don't venture far from the tavern," Rummy replies. "Halla can you please get some food and ale for our new guests," he adds.

"I'll go start a meal," Halla agrees leaving the party with Rummy and disappearing into the kitchen.

"Did anyone catch what sort of beast attacked the search party?" Kellen asks. "If not, maybe we can check with the boy Aldelaris about that, too. But let's figure our plan out. I need to rest and prepare, and I'd like to get going at dawn if that's okay with everyone else?"

"That was the first I heard the term beast even used. I remember something about there being attacks, but don't think it was ever specified what attacked them. Why don't we go out to the stables, find the boy, and talk to him now while they are prepping our supper. Then we can relax a bit with a good meal and be prepared to leave early tomorrow." Jasper casually looks around the bar to see what other patrons are here.

"Wynn mentioned that a beast killed Willa's folks we she was a babe. She also mentioned that a beast attacked the recent search party." Pyre recalled.

"That sounds like a fine plan to me. Let's hope that the boy can tell us more." Malvech says as he turns to the othes, his own mind wondering on what the beast could be.