"And this coal was the property of Baron Gilbert. What's your point? I personally don't care who it belongs to. If it came with you it belongs to Gilbert now. Call it the spoils of war." 

Nos Heliwr says, “Don’t expect us to look upon your sneaky hijinks as anything honorable. It is the sort of thing criminals get into.” He nods in agreement at the mention of spoils of war, “You steal and get caught? Well. All you have is forfeit, even your life, though you might be released to deliver a message to Titus, you could explain then how you lost his stuff. But that’s something our Baron will decide.”

Louis looks thoughtful. 
“Perhaps we -should- return the baron’s property to him. Along with the deceased. I don’t know about you all, but one Baron is much the same as another to me. Perhaps we can negotiate a more even keel compromise if we approach him first. After all, this is a ‘delicate matter’ not a usual one.”

"So, is we takin's thems two," Captain Aaron nods at Fallon and Lucius, "downstream to 'is lordship?  We need to press on.  As it is we'll not make the town till past nightfall.  It should be safe navigating the lower stretches in the dark.  They are not as dangerous or swift as the waters we have left behind, but I'd still rather press on."

"Yes, take them to Baron Gilbert, please, and we shall check up upon this wagon.  It may or may not have something of worth in it, and we can decide where to go from there.  But regardless, we need these two to be brought in.  Keep them manacled and bound, just for your own safety," she tells Aaron and Jack, taking her length of rope to do just that - hobble and restrain the two prisoners, despite their manacles, once they're on the barge.

She turns to the others.  "We should continue together on foot towards that wagon and see if there is something notable on it.  If anything, the bandit which fled might try to recover it, and we can catch him there."  To Louis, she says, "One Baron might be like the other to you, but we have entered into a contract with Baron Gilbert.  To attempt to open negotiations in this matter with his direct rival, without either notifying him first or having his sanction, would be the same as to betray him.  I would rather not do that, regardless of the circumstances.  Nevertheless, we should recover any evidence related to these crimes, regardless of what we decide to do with those horses and wagon."

OOC: Clarification:  The hidden wagon is only about 100 ft away, under some trees.  The bandit who fled was captured when Louis and Chernobog ran/flew after him.

Louis looks pensive but he’s heading towards the wagon to help check it out. In this case: looking for signs of a direction this wagon came from and signs of how many people came with it. 

(I assume perception? Survival?) 

Louis can make a Wisdom (Survival) check to search for tracks and the like in the area.  Assuming someone chooses to help him, he can have Advantage on that roll.

As Louis begins to search for tracks, Claire follows and does her best to try to help him spot any useful signs in the terrain and surrounding environment.

Louis Surv 18 

Louis and Claire survey the wagon area.  It's a typical covered wagon with two draft horses hitched to it.  There are no signs of people around.  Booted tracks lead towards the beach from there - you'd guess these would be the people who attacked you.  Wheel and horse prints come in from the north.  You'd imagine they would be easy enough to follow.

Louis' observant (feat) nature leads him to notice coal dust in the back of the wagon.

"I can drive this back to Grunal," Claire says to Louis.  "If everyone wants to ride in the back, or prefer to ride on the barge where it's cleaner, that is fine by me."

(Barring any objections, Claire will drive the wagon back to Grunal using her land vehicles proficiency...)

I think Louis will stay on the boat to keep watch over the prisoners. 

Louis nods to the boat captain and his son to cast off and get back in business

Vaclav goes with Claire but leaves Chernobog with the boat so there's a link between the two.

You split your forces between barge and wagon, with three tied up prisoners.  Soon you are heading off into the afternoon sunshine.   With the immediate threat past and the pleasant early spring weather, it's almost an enjoyable journey.   The prisoners say next to nothing for the journey.  Fallon looks miserable.  Lucius looks stoic and resigned to his fate.  Trevor, the last of the bandits, looks scared but seems to be taking some measure of resolve from Lucius' attitude.

Captain Aaron chews on his habitual wad of something and steers the barge skillfully through the afternoon.  Claire guides the wagon swiftly along the road where it follows the river for most of the way.  Where it diverts she goes offroad where possible and impresses with her skill at controlling the horses and the big vehicle across the uneven terrain.

The afternoon wears on and the sun heads slowly towards the mountains in the west.  It is clear you will not reach Grunal before nightfall.  Aaron thinks there will be maybe a couple of hours of travel needed in the dark.

What is your plan?

"Well, I suppose it's a good thing I brought along my lantern and several flasks of oil," Claire says dryly as Vaclav relays Aaron's observations.  "As dangerous as it might be to travel in the darkness, I think it more foolish to stop and make camp with three prisoners.  Let's press on.  I hope you will help me keep watch for dangers on the road, as driving this wagon does take some concentration."

Aaron agrees and would prefer to press on.  Fortunately, the sky remains light on clouds and a bright half-moon shines down helping to illuminate the road and river.  Aaron has navigated this river enough times to know it well and the road follows the river through quiet, open farmlands, so Claire's job over the last few miles is easy enough.   Chernobog flies the skies above, his darkvision helping Vaclav to scout ahead and ensure there are no surprises.

With the exception of one noisy barking farm dog is it an uneventful journey downriver and road, and a few hours after nightfall you spot the twinkling lights of Grunal on the river ahead.  It makes for a picturesque scene in the moonlight.

You soon reach the northern edge of the town where orange bandana-wearing enforcers bar your entry, both on-road and river (they enter the town close to each other).

"Who goes there, and what's your business?" you are challenged.

Vaclav speaks up. "Baron Gilbert's crew, returning with the coal and several captured bandits." 

“We are one the Baron’s business, we have important information for him,” Quiller shows his orange bandanna. “You’d best summon your watch officer, quickly and discretely man.”

The enforcers quickly summon their apparent superior.  He takes a quick look at you all and signals for the gates to be opened.  "Welcome home," he says.  The greeting isn't entirely warm and Louis feels he possibly is a bit resentful of your position as new 'special enforcers'.  You pass into the town. 

In the middle of the town are the warehouses, conveniently located near road and water.  Aaron pulls the barge up there and calls out to help.  Some stevedores appear and Aaron directs them to start unloading the coal, moving it into one of the nearby warehouses in the darkness.  The men complain that they should have finished work and be in the tavern by now, but they set to the task.