There's a low, rumbling growl from Rhogar before he says at a low whisper while keeping his gaze on the door. "Of course they don't, Chill. If there was anything to the concerns of the folk from the town proper, they've all but confirmed something is going on Kadoth's behavior." Rhogar lets out a huff through his nose, then crossed his arms as much as one could while holding a staff. "But, we are ultimately, a mercenary band at best in the eyes of all, or at worse.... an adventuring band. Not appointed officers of Ten Towns. So, we have a choice to make... Do we continue to handle things delicately as we've done so far, or... do we get a bit rowdy?"

After putting the question to the group, Rhogar appears to almost startle at some epiphany, before fetching from his pack a potion to hold on to until Kadoth reemerged from the building. At which point, he'd immediately down it and direct its effects towards scanning the tiefling's surface thoughts. If the party is again rejected or Kadoth returns seeming shifty, Rhogar narrows his eyes and digs deeper into the man's mind while bringing up the speaker.

(@DM: What became of the dragon's remains? As in, were we ever told by the locals in the morning, or saw its husk on the way to the keep? Or was it gone completely by any chances.)

(Also, for if needbe to pick up on Kadoth is in anyway afraid of the group from before: Insight: 8.)

Krom whispers back "You make a good point, Rhogar, we definively could do that and probably should, sometimes getting a bit rowdy is the only way to fix a problem." The dwarf gives a quick look around as the group keeps following the tiefling. "But let's wait until we meet the Speaker first, or at least when we are inside the castle."

(Keep forgetting about Oli. Do they allow an innocent owlbear enter the castle? Also, is Vellynne with us?)

Your thoughts linger back to the trip from the inn to the castle. You recall seeing the body of the dragon. A number of Knights of the Black Swords had been posted as guards around the body of the dragon.

You were unable at that time to get a better look at the body. Additionally, with your desire to meet with the speaker you chose to pass it by and return later.

When you arrived at the castle the guards did not allow Oli to enter with you. Velynne, who was traveling with you offered to stay outside the castle with Oli. At that point you had traveled enough with her to trust her and you had no indication that she would attempt to do any harm or take advantage of Ali. (Read - Oli is perfectly fine with Velynne. No concerns at all.)

Krom ponders the meaning of the moon shape on the small hut. He does notice there are quite a few tracks leading to and from the hut. It then hits him, the small hut is likely a privy.

Kazri watches Runa who watches the group. She looks curious mostly and after a few moments stands and starts to walk your way. Brakkis grabs her arm and seems to say something sharply to her and Runa says something in reply. You are unable to hear what they say. Runa then walks boldly towards you.

Still mostly curious she asks, "why are you here? In Icewind Dale I mean. I would never have thought to see you again."

As he finally understands the actual purpose of the hut, Krom shakes his head "I guess that I was overthinking." mutters to himself. The dwarf notices the exchange between Brakkis and Runa and as the mercenary boldy approaches the group, he puts, just in case, a hand on the handle of the warhammer. As Runa addresses the group, the dwarf, not sure if he can trust the mercenary, stays quiet while keeping an eye on Brakkis and the tiefling.

As Runa approaches, Kazri is at ease. "We heard that a Dragon had intentions of destroying Ten-Towns, and we could not let that happen. So here we are. The circumstances seem somewhat similar to our last encounter, if memory serves." Kazri nods her head for Runa to follow the group, if she wishes to do so. "So, what business do you have here?"

(I would like to know if my previous Insight roll can be applied to her answer. Otherwise here is another one.)

Insight: 15

Chill paid little attention to Runa.  Kazri could best her on a bad day.  In fact he was certain their merry little band could bring this entire down if they chose to. The Black Sword against the White Cloaks.  Four on, well however many, it wouldn't matter.  White Cloaks for the win.

Chill studied the castle from within, where places were he could climb, or hide.

Rhogar side-eyed Runa, but only for a brief moment before leaving things to Kazri and the others, as he had to remain repaired to drink the concoction. Though a nagging temptation led to him staring intently at the unopened vial for a time. Free of such thoughts and obligations, Gorrah soon crawled out from within Rhogar's hood, and flew over to alight upon Kazri's shoulder and stared with narrowed eyes at Runa and tail stringer waving lazily behind her.

"We had heard rumor that the White Cloaks were working towards ridding the Ten Towns of this everlasting winter.  That would be a great thing.  I didn't make the connection that it was you until I saw you yesterday.   As for me, when we left you we determined to head back north, back to Icewind Dale.  We nearly made it too until we got lost in a snow storm. The weather was so much worse than we had expected or knew of ever happening.  It was until later that we learned why, this curse of cold weather.  We nearly died in the blizzard until, well..." Runa trails off, like she didn't mean to say so much.  You notice that she has reached up and touched the sword-shaped amulet that hangs around her neck.  That same shaped amulet that all of the Black Swords wear.

Kazri, your insight tells you that she is hiding something, or keeping something back.  You strongly believe it has something to do with the amulets.  Your divine senses may be able to tell you more.

Krom listens to Runa's story as he slowly follows the tiefling. As he walks, the dwarf contemplates the most optimal strategy to utilise and the hyms to chant should a conflict arise with the Black Swords. "We defeated two dragons, we are more than a match for those mercenaries." thinks Krom with a big grin on his bearded face.

Kazri wordlessly raises her hand and raises her indicator finger to Runa, asking her for a moment. She touches the ring around her neck (haven't used this fella for a long time), and it starts to glow a divine light, then her eyes glow as well. (Divine Sense). She looks at Runa at first, then she scans the area around her.

Chill's eye catches the motion that Kazri makes as she ring around her neck.  He sees it glow for a moment before he turns his attention back to the what it going on around them.  Did any of the other Black Swords see what she was doing?  Did any of them react?  Chill kept a high level of alertness to what was happening around them.

Perception if needed 29 (roll was 14 - passive is 22)

Kazri reaches up and touches the ring around her neck and as it glows in a divine light Runa's eyes narrow in suspicion.  "What are you doing?" she asks quickly.  Further away you see Brakkis stand and his hand drops to the hilt of his sword.  Chill also sees one of the men on the western rampart suddenly run into the NW tower. Chill is certain his actions are related to Kazri's lighted ring.  

Kazri, for her part, sees that the amulet that Runa wears is clearly a desecrated object.  She doesn't need to look around to have her divine sense tell her that that every member of the Black Swords that is within 60 feet of her has a desecrated object hanging around their neck.

Krom does not notice Kazri touching the ring around her neck, but Runa's reaction makes the dwarf stops on his feet. He immediately turns towards the mercenary and asks to Kazri "What happened lass?" 
If he notices Brakkis's reaction and the men running on the ramparts Krom takes a couple of steps toward Kazri, if he does not he just stays where he is. In either cases, Krom stands ready to defend and protect his companions.

"Well, that seems to have gotten their attention." Chill whispers to the others close to him.  "Kadroth will know you did something soon enough if I'm not mistaken on what is happening.  Keep on your guard."

As Kazri's eyes return to normal, she calmly approaches Runa and holds her right wrist. She says in a low voice close to Runa. "Whatever happened before is of no importance now. Listen to me Runa, you still have a part to play in dispelling this everlasting winter. Renounce the Black Swords by casting aside your cursed amulet. I know there is still good in you, and you wish to help your community. Join me, and together we can stop Auril, and save Icewind Dale."

Persuation: 13

Though the majority of his apparent focus remained on the door Kadoth had disappeared past last, the growing tension from the others has Rhogar looking to the vial at hand as if having second thoughts. One by one Gorrah projects in the minds of the party images of her stabbing the guards or a crude one of Rhogar breathing lightning at the door, before giving off a feeling of excitement and inquisitiveness. "Mn... I am not entirely in disagreement with Gorrah on this one." Rhogar then whispered to the party. "If those amulets are really cursed, and if Kadoth is gone for much longer, then I suspect he intends to try and cover up his misdeeds before we can act. But what say the rest of you? Decide quickly now."

"Cursed?  What do you mean cursed?" She asks but then stops.  She seems to look far away, as if listening to someone else,  a voice only she can hear. "No, I cannot help you.  My place is here with the Knights of the Black Sword." She stops, and looks determined.  You cannot change her mind.

Brakkis has taken a step forward but then stops.

Rhogar please make a deception roll

(@DM: I'm not entirely sure why the check. But if it is for what I think it is, Rhogar genuinely believes and has concerns about Kadoth. So if persuasion would be appropriate, I'd like to use that. Otherwise, here's the flat deception roll: 13.)