Sildar lets out a quiet ‘hmm’ as Nova says they are gone. Then adds, “I hope that means no longer traveling with you and not that they are now deceased.”

Sildar looks shocked at Velda’s speech. So much so that he’s speechless for at least a minute. During which time he stares quietly and Velda, then realizing he was asked a question is finally able to respond hesitantly, “I certainly have no issues with that. Given the great service you’ve done this town and what you are planning to do. I shall talk with the Townmaster and see what locations in town would be available for such a purchase.” (Not entirely sure how much you were offering. I figured all of your gold, but didn’t want to assume)

In response to Cadence, “Gundren told me during our travels here before we were ambushed by those goblins that he was meeting his brothers at this dig site he had found. The one he believes is wave echo cave. I don’t believe either of them are in town as none of the townsfolk have seen them in at least a ten day. Barthen mentioned he expects them back soon to resupply. ‘They rarely take more the a tenday’s worth’ he told me.”

Cadence nods to the information, then does a ballet twirl on one foot. She says, "I won't hold my breath. Not that I'm saying they've met death."  She shrugs.  

"Should we go look inside for our wizard?  Or do we give up and go straight to the castle to search for the lizard?" 

Velda nods in thanks (and yes, that's fine. She's not the sort to try and haggle around, asking nicely already cost her a lot of effort.) and then turns to Cadence: "You seem to have this figured better than I, but looks to me like the wizard's behind a lot of this, right? So, if we find him nearby, he might tell us what to expect when heading to the castle. I have no issue with storming the place, but there's no sense in fightin' hard if you can fight smart."

Cadence boops Velda on the nose with a smile, then turns to Nova, "Come on, we'll circle all the buildings till we find the newest trail. Say...what's it like having a tail?" 

She starts walking around each of the buildings with Nova (assuming Nova follows), looking for the most recent trail into or out of a building in town....

Nova could only shrug, trying to numb herself from her emotions. She was trying to focus on the tasks the group agreed was priority. A smile would grow on Nova's face when Velda would ask to purchase her very own home.

Of course Nova hoped nothing bad happened to the others. But she honestly didn't know one way or the other. So, true to distracting herself, the druid would pitter patter after Cadence, huffing away.

Perception: 18

Seeing your desire to find the traitorous Albrek, Sildar bids you farewell and heads off in the direction of the town masters hall. 

The last place you noticed the smell was near the Sleeping Giant taphouse. Circling the building you don’t pick up anymore traces of it. Giving you the feeling that he must have gone in the building. 

Cadence looks at the others. Then she grins and smiles a devious smile...and begins weaving magic.  A moment later, one of the men from the last room they'd entered back in the house is standing before them, bleeding from a wound in his side.  He clutches it, winks once more, and then walks with a bit of a limp into the taphouse.  Once inside Cadence glares around the place angrily, wincing in pain from the wound, and looks to sit somewhere with her back against a wall...and waits to see what happens.

"Ummm... After she went in like that, I can't follow, that woul make no sense after the fight they picked yesterday. Nova, you're probably fine to go in though, if you want. I'll stay out here for now. By the way, any thoughts on were Hugz and Boris went? I wanted Droop to meet Hugz, to see what we can do for them."

Nova would shrug. If they wanted her to go in after Cadence, she would. Though, the Druid had no idea what Cadence had up her sleeve. “Boris’ scent went in the opposite direction back there.” She’d add softly before closing her eyes. Inhaling a breath, Nova would begin to shrink as she’d shift into a small black and white cat. Opening her mismatched eyes, KittyNova would lift a paw, then the other before flicking her tail. With a quick shake of her new frame, she’d slip off inside the establishment when a patron would open the door. Slinking around the establishment, Nova would find herself a vantage point to watch from.

"I will be happy to keep an eye on her," Raithe says. "They do not know me. I can go in But I can also disguise myself like that, if it would be helpful." 

Raithe will circle around the building and look for all entrances and exits, as Nova turns into a cat. She looks for any broken windows from which to observe. Then she comes back and rejoins Velda. 

Stealth: 22
Perception: 13
Investigation: 15
Acrobatics: 4

Dex save: 13

Velda it strikes you as odd that the porch is empty when yesterday it had been occupied by four scarlet adorned thugs. As your companions go about their tasks, what are you doing?

Almost simultaneously, Cadence and Nova alter their appearance and enter the taphouse and Raithe begins her search around the building. After a few minutes of sneaking around Raithe, you manage to find a window with a good view of where Cadence (disguised as a red brand) is sitting and the front door.

Looking around for a good vantage point you see a tree that would give you a decent view into the window as well as the surrounding area. Completing your loop of the building and informing Velda of your plan you make your way back to the tree and attempt to climb it. About halfway up to the vantage point you saw a branch snaps, but thanks to your quick reflexes you are able to catch another and not fall out of the tree. The rest of the climb is uneventful.

Nova, slipping in through the door, it doesn’t take you much effort to find a good vantage in the rafters of the building from which you can keep an eye on Cadence. From the smells you are picking up in the room, Albrek definitely came in here.

Grista, the proprietor, seems to recognize you Cadence and says as you sit down, “The usual for you?”

Cadence nods to Grista, silently taking a seat at a table.

Coming by with three shots of whiskey, looks you over and asks, “what was it this time?”

Cadence just shakes her head, looks down at the whisky, and waves her hand at the Grista.  Looking away, she takes the first shot.....  8 ...and manages to keep it down, coughing a bit as the burning liquid flows down her throat.  She refuses to look at Grista any further...trying to make it clear she's 'dismissed'. 

“Fine then, keep your secrets. I’ll make up my own story then.” She then heads back to the bar. Calling back, “let me know if you need anything else.”

With the hint of Albrek about, Nova would huff the air from her perch. Once Cadence has seemed to settle in after her first interaction, Nova would slink along the rafters to see if she might be able to trace the smell further.

Perception: 19 

As you work your way around the room, the smell is strongest near the bar area where Grista is currently, though the only person you see at the bar is Grista. 

Around the rest of the room are a couple of surly looking humans sitting alone and nursing their own mugs of ale. 

Suspicious of Grista, Nova would circle around the area to see if she can tell if it’s a similar facade to what Cadence is doing. Is the wizard disguised?

Catanova, it takes you a bit longer than you would care to admit to anyone in the party, but as you look around the bar area and think of ways someone could disguise themselves. You eventually recall something Cadence said about invisibility potions... you get the feeling perhaps this is why you can’t see this wizard you’ve been searching for.