"I have my bag of holding, so there is one less thing. And we should get more rope. Lest the bridge is out." Direcris takes a drink. "The river or the mountains?"

"The river. It will mask the footsteps of you loud ones. And if we throw a tail it will be much easier." He steps outside into the evening air and lights his pipe again.

Unless someone objects, Dench picks up the orb the woman said would direct them. He then also leaves the inn. As the others make purchases, he finds a likely spot of ground, uses his hammer to pound a divot of earth free, and buries five small stones there. He then joins the others. 

With the others, he holds the orb high, and tries to tell how it is directing them. "Presumably toward the Arrowhead River," he says.

Gavyn purchases 40 more arrows to fill his quiver, and affixes his goggles, preparing for the march.

 Dench, now dripping again from the rain, holds up the crystal ball. As he contemplates how the trinket functions, it seems to respond. The points of light in the orb coalesce to a single spot on it's surface. No matter which way the half-orc holds the sphere, the light remains fixed in one direction: toward the southeast which is indeed vaguely upriver on the Arrowhead.

"We wish to depart tonight?", enquires Uri. It makes no odds to him; the night is his friend.

Direcris pays for his and the woman's drinks before following the others out. He checks his gear, making sure there is nothing of worth in the bag of holding. He stretches, waiting on Dench to lead the way.

"Dark is good. But I'm used to traveling in the dark. Up to the group."

Sir Gadston

Gadston follows along scratching his head. "Gentlemen, Gentlemen." he begins. "It is the evening and we have only arrived in this small town. Let us stay in the inn , if there is room, for the evening and set out in the morning. I for one do not see so well in the dark and would hate to stumble over some stone and tumble to my doom or worse my steed go lame because of being over enthusiastic." 

Gadston pauses for a moment before continuing: "I think we are passing on a great opportunity for a rest in the lap of luxury itself," Gaston points to the inn wincing a bit as he says the words, "and I for one do not foresee being able to make camp in the midst of the darkness without many issues."

"And I for one" he states "do not wish to sleep in a sitting position with a blanket draped over my head like a human tent until absolutely necessary." he finishes.

Gavyn grins as Gadston makes his pronouncement. "Perhaps we'll make a woodsman out of you one day, Gad. Until then, I suppose we travel in the day." He turns back to his pipe, puffing contentedly.

Uri just shrugs his oversized shoulders, having expected this reaction from his liege.

His mind is already several days ahead, picturing the tower to which they must, by assault or subterfuge, gain entry. It occurs to him that, whilst both he and Gavyn are adept with opening locks, both lack the expensive tools required to do so. Perhaps they should have sold or pawned the earings? Then again, the odds of strangers like them being able to find access to more esoteric items - without overly drawing attention to themselves - in a one horse town like this seem slim at best.

Direcris hides his smile and nods. "Well thought, Gadston. As the woman said, the tower will still be there in the morning."

He turns and goes back into the inn, walking up to the bar. "Do you have any rooms for the night?"

There are rooms available at the Iron Light Inn. Between the drinks and the rooms each party member owes around a gold piece (you can ignore the cost assuming you had previous funds). The rooms are sparse doubles, but the beds are surprisingly comfortable. The cushions and wooden walls dampen the sounds of the tavern below and the rain above, allowing for a pleasant night's sleep. The light rain continues into the morning.

(Let me know your travel pace and marching order for the day's travel)

Sir Gadston

Upon waking that morning Gadston goes through his morning stretch and work out "One, Two, One Two."

He will dress and go down stairs and meet the rest of the party.

When the party prepares to go and the marching order is discussed Gadston will say; "I do not know the way but I will be more than happy to ride up front, meeting all who we encounter." he says with a grand smile. 

"Might I suggest, m'lud", begins Uri with as much tact as he can muster, this not being the first time this conversation has been had, "That Gavyn takes the lead, and I the rearguard. If he does spy anyone, we can choose to avoid them before they notice us." Out of deference to his liege and benefactor, he adds, "Obviously, if there is any talking to be done..."

Uri is also privately concerned that they may be followed and knows he is best suited to hang back and catch up with the party once his concerns are allayed - or confirmed.

Gavyn watches the conversation between Uri and Gadston play out again, then looks at Dench. "You think I should take a pair of those earrings and acquire some...lockpicks, we'll call them? Lost mine in that last cave we were in. Could be useful."

Dench is up before the dawn, to watch the sun rise and address the Morning Lord.

After breakfast, he says to Gavyn, "Hmm. We've used the earrings to buy supplies so far? I don't know if anyone would mind . . . " He is listening to Uri and Gadston as well. "If you go early in our march, Gavyn, I could be second or third."

Gavyn shakes his head. "We've neither pawned nor sold them yet... I believe we had much of the supplies covered. Give me an hour and a pair of the earrings, and I shall return to lead the way."

 "I'll go before Uri. Should we ask around to see if any know of the river and its ways?" Direcris walks over to him, his voice lowered. "You sense something?"

Sir Gadston

"Fine by me Uri." he says with a smile.