Byllemura looks at Emre and says: "The Old Bonegrinder..." and shudders. "I think you are right. This would be the windmill south of town. We should check it out but we'd better be prepared. I don't know what dwells there but it will surely be hostile now that we interfered with their little creepy bakery business."

"Perhaps we should talk to the burgomaster here. Do you think he'd be willing to send any guards with us to shut down the Bonegrinder, if we bring him the evidence of these misdeeds? These pastries, the child..." then a look of realization dawns on Emre's face. "He probably already knows about the pastries, and what people are doing to obtain them."  

"Yes, we should prepare, Byllemura, and Valanthe is also right. The boy's safety should come first. However," he addresses Valanthe directly, now "Val, I will not return the boy to his parents, they obviously can't be trusted to be responsible for him.   Perhaps if the innkeeper is not willing to take in the boy, we might ask Ireena to look after him."

"I am starting to think this town is not as safe as it looked when we arrived. I would not trust the burgomaster. He must know of what is happening here." Turning to Thpas and Valanthe: "As for the kid, we can talk to Ireena. He can stay in our room at the inn until we figure out a solution."

The boy cries, "I don't want my mother or father! They sold me for pie." a tear runs down his cheek. Upon hearing Ireena mentioned, he asks, "You know Ireena? Her and her brother are nice. Please take me to them."

"Great idea!" Valanthe offers a hand to the kid and musters up a comforting smile as the group accompanies the child back to the inn.

Emre follows and keeps a vigilant eye out for the return of the old woman.

The boy accepts Valanthe's hand and walks with her to the inn.

Thpas walks ahead of the group, throwing the door open at the entrance of the inn. (If there is no door he still throws his hand out in front of him as if there is one.)

"Ireena! Ireena, are you here?" He bellows as he makes his way up the stairs to Ireena's room, ignoring any patrons or hosts that might be on the main floor. "Ireena! There is an urgent matter that requires your attention!" Knocking urgently and politely at the door to her quarters, "Ireena! We're in a bit of a hurry, we have to see a woman about her bakery, but we need to leave something with you to watch over for the time being. Ireena!" The knocking and beseechment continues. "Ireena! This is kind of a big deal..."

While the others are trying to raise Ireena, Emre will look around for Urwin or another of the staff here at the inn to ask them about the dream pastry lady. 

Valanthe does a slight face-palm while observing Thpas' behavior.

Ireena slowly opens the door when Thpas knocks, yawning. "Yes? What is it?"

Emre sees Urwin's wife behind the bar, giving wine to two men that you saw last night.

"What's your name young one?" Valanthe asks the child. 

"Valentin." says the boy, managing a smile.

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

Emre sees Urwin's wife behind the bar, giving wine to two men that you saw last night.

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

"Valentin." says the boy, managing a smile.

"Oh, good. You're here." Thpas bids Ireena to follow him as he turns back to lead her into the common area with the others. "There's something you need to see, follow me.... now, I know what it is to be bought and sold, not having a say, traded for goods and services and kept for another's purposes ," he pauses for an exasperated sigh and continues "Nine Hells, that's half the reason I'm here! Regardless, there's business we need to discuss at the old windmill , but we need you to look after this one," gesturing to the boy, "until we return." 

Thpas complexion has now deepened to a fully saturated cobalt hue, his hands trembling with anger. His eyes, shining so brilliantly white they nearly shimmer from the blood running so hot beneath the skin.

"Ummm... ok? I guess?" Ireena says, awkwardly. The boy runs over and hugs Ireena.

Emre looks at the two patrons and the Innkeeper's wife in turn, waiting blithely in the awkward silence following her question.

Finally, she tries a follow-up. "...the reason I ask is that there seem to be some pretty shady dealings there. People are trading their kids for these pastries. And I'm certain the old woman is more than just a peddler."

Thpas takes a long, deep, calming breath and you can easily see his hands are no longer quaking with the same fury they once were. 

"Emre, ask if they know the crone's name.... important information to know when carving a headstone, don't you think? Best let the undertaker know he'll be busy as well." 

He throws on his cape with a flourish and readies himself at the exit, waiting rather impatiently, and trifling with his shoulder he states firmly "not until after, you'll need your wits about you"