“Lucius, one more question: does the inn seem like a normal place to take prisoners?” 
And an insight check on his answer combined with the attitudes of the enforcers we’ve been given instructions. Insight 16 

Lucius looks up at Louis.  "Not in Paradin, it wouldn't be, but then again Titus has just constructed a training camp outside of the town.  We would keep prisoners there, most likely."  His eyes narrow.  "How come you don't know?  You're Varnell's enforcers," he points to the orange bandanas wrapped around each of you.

"You could say we didn't have much of a choice in this matter, though I suppose it would depend on your point of view.  Nonetheless, our word is our bond.  

I don't believe there's a right or wrong answer to this, at least not from what I've seen so far," Claire says, mostly to Louis.  "Though most of us are strangers to this land, the people of Gilbert's barony don't seem particularly unhappy even if his group of Enforcers leave something to be desired.  That would indicate to me that he is not unfit as a ruler, even if we disagree with the manner of his rule. Your Overseer Titus may have his honor, if your Baron does not and his people suffer from it, then he is not a good ruler, and your Overseer does no one any favors supporting him.  That your barony needs to steal coal, of all things, makes me wonder how he is managing his business for the common people.  But still... morality, honor, the right thing to do... I know that these grey in times of war.  We don't know enough of your situation here to chose a side... merely that our company needs to chose a job, or we will not eat.  Personally, I try to abide by the teachings of the Light... it's the only real guidance I have in a world made of shifting sands."

So, what is your plan now?

Vavlav stays silent for once, just listening to the three go back and forth with raised eyebrows. 

The then takes the arm of the third prisoner and begins to head to the inn.

You lead the three prisoners through the dark streets of Grunal to the nearby inn, the Torrent.  Next to the inn, the River Ardeth flows past, its waters swollen from the recent spring rains.  The inn is lit up and a jolly sign hangs outside.  The smell of roast meat and a bitter ale, which is brewed on-site, fills the air.  The sounds of laughter filter out of the door.

"Let's go," Claire says, pushing Fallon in before her and entering the inn.

Entering the common room of the two-storey inn you are hit by a wall of sound, warmth and pleasant cooking smells.  The sounds quickly die away as the locals take in the four of you, travel-worn and wearing orange bandanas and the three captives you tow in with you.  Your eyes immediately move to a small table in a darkened corner of the room where a large figure stands and makes his way over to you.   Varnell.

He approaches and stops a few paces away.  You are reminded that he's a beast of a man, wearing tight clothing which shows off his impressive physique.  The scar which crosses the left side of his face still looks ragged and ugly, though it has clearly healed all that it will.  He takes the four of you in with a quick sweep of his eyes and then moves to study the prisoners.  "Fallon," he says quietly as he comes to the alderman.  "That makes sense," he nods to himself.  "These other two - bandits?" he asks you all.

Claire nods briefly, her eyes darting to the others to see if anyone wants to take point on negotiating with Varnell.  She doesn't offer anything about the other two men on her own, though.

Vaclav nods. "These are the attackers, yes. Leader and an underling. So far quite cooperative. Seems like they were just doing the job they were sent to do, not the masterminds behind it." 

“Right,” says Varnell.  “Come with me.”  With that he leads you out of the inn and back to the warehouses.  There he opens a side door and leads you in.  He grabs a lantern, lights it and takes you to a small side room.  This he opens to reveal a trap door.  He opens it without a word and proceeds down into the darkness, lantern held aloft.  “Bring them down here,” he tells you from below.

Claire feels cold prickles on her skin as she eyes the trapdoor.  Memories of her time on the slaver ship plague her, and her feet slow slightly.  She looks sharply at the trapdoor and the floor, searching for signs of dried blood or any other indicators that where they're taking the prisoners could be something more than a holding cell.

Investigation: 12

"We succeeded in this completing task where the rest of your people failed.  But I did not agree to the torture of any of these men," she says lowly to Varnell.  "If there is to be justice, it should be meted out swiftly and equitably in the light of day, with a minimum of suffering."  

Vaclav gives a slight push to the back of the one he's guiding. "No one has said anything about torture yet, no need to jump to conclusions. And torture doesn't work anyways, people will say anything to stop the pain. All you get it fake or half truths."

Louis will lead the way down, being used to trudging into the unknown alone.

Claire spots nothing untoward or alarming about the trapdoor or stairs down.  With Louis leading and Vaclav prodding the prisoners you descend into a dark cellar, which is cold and musty.  Other than a sconce on the wall which holds a half-burned torch, there is nothing here.  Varnell lights the torch with his lantern and says, "We'll leave the prisoners here overnight and I'll question them in the morning.  It's too late to return back to the manor house now, so come back to the Torrent with me.  I'll have the ostler put you up for the night on the Baron's account." 

He then reaches into his jacket and pulls out a waterskin which seems mostly full.  He throws it to Fallon who just about manages to catch it.  "Share that, or not.  It's all you're getting till morning."   With that Varnell climbs the staircase back up and out of the cellar.

Louis starts to leave and quietly says to Lucius on his way out: “Good luck.”

Claire passes one of her rations to Lucius and nods at him.  "Farewell," she says, before following Louis out.

Lucius nods his thanks to you both as you leave.

Varnell padlocks the trapdoor behind him and leads you back to the Torrent where he speaks to the landlord.  He comes back to you a short while later and tells you that he has arranged rooms.  Claire gets a small room to herself and the men get beds in the dormitory.  Varnell tells you that he is going off to bed now.  He suggests that in the morning you go and report to Nevil in the manor house.  With that, he leaves and trudges off upstairs.  It seems he has a permanent lodging here at the inn.

You find yourselves with some time on your hands.  It is late but you suspect the Torrent will be open for drinks for a good few hours yet and there was an offer to go and have a drink with Captain Aaron and Jack in the Shack if you were so minded.

Unable to sleep this early in the evening, Claire decides to make her way out to the Shack  On the way down, she knocks on the Torrent's dormitory door.

"Louis?" she calls, hoping the man isn't sleeping yet.  "It's Theresa.  If you've time, we need to have a little talk."

Louis comes out, looking a bit too dressed to have been getting ready for rest. You see his face is smudged with soot, and he’s wearing his hood up over his head. 
“I’m uh... a bit preoccupied. Let’s make it quick.” 

Louis comes outside to talk.