Aldrik looks to Kerri. "So, I'm guessing you had your chance to chat with the mare... but you've been mum since. What's the play? Do we have the info Mirt needed?"

"I wouldnt consider this tom-foolery," Kerri says, letting Bonnie go. "What's tom-foolery is your insistance Mirt can't be trusted."

Aldrik raises an eyebrow. "What tom-foolery? This is more chess than schoolyard kicks, but one where everyone is both potentially a pawn or a king. We have a move to make."

He looks confused at Kerri's second comment. "I suggested Mirt in the first place? And said to be cautious with him, like any other power broker in Waterdeep?" 

Kerri crosses her arms, "You suggested Mirt then almost immediately turned him down without input from us if I remember correctly. That seems less 'cautious' and more 'distrusting'."

"Well, simply that his terms for the loan gave him full control of your tavern almost instantly. I figured we could butter him up for a better deal." Aldrik replies. 

"I didn't want a tavern," Kerri rolls her eyes. "I still really dont. But sure we'll do it your way."

Aldrik looks confused. "All I said was it was a potential debt trap. I've at least learned from my mistakes to try and avoid those, given that Eddie here is now my father-mandated chaperone from the last time. And we didn't refuse him or burn that bridge, I simply said that we, or rather, you, would consider it."

He shakes his head. "Anyway, the important point you bring up, is that you sound like you have information that makes you more trusting of ol' Mirt. Care to share?" 

"If Mirt hasn't decided to divulge said information to you," Kerri says after a moment's hesitation. "Then it's not my place to explain it to you."

"He asked all of us to look into the matter. All of us, like as in, we are some sort of team?" Aldrik says. 

Cico, Lyss and Aimee begin the climb, and though there is dim light from the city itself, shadows crop up around the path hiding steep ledges. The path doesn't seem the hardest to climb but it is a long way up. 

As you describe how you ascend could we all roll the following three skills pls : Perception to spot any hazards on the way up, Athletics to climb, Constitution for stamina. 

Aldrik, Kerri and Edvord leave the Yawning Portal and take the short walk to Mirt's Mansion. They are greeted at the gates by Fenton. "Ah hello there. I heard of your materialisation in the Yawning Portal the other day and assumed you made it out of that deathtrap of an alley. I was wondering how long it would be until you came to return the statuette. Hand it over and I'm sure you will find Mirt most agreeable to pretty much anything you wish."

Lyss starts out high energy, hoping from rock to rock, but begins to struggle a bit more as the climb gets more arduous and less of a lark. She tries to keep an eye out for any trouble as she makes her way along.

Perception: 24
Athletics: 12
CON: 20

Cico exhibits less energy and enthusiasm about the climb than does Lyss. He approaches it more systematically and almost mechanically, drawing on the silent, patient, inner reserves he's been trained to marshal. One foot in front of the other, one hand above the other. As the light dims, he begins to rely more and more on his darkvision to help guide his way. Where he can, he lowers a rope to Lyss and Aimee to help them scamper up.

Perception: 21  

Athletics: 12  

Con: 13  

Perception: 13

Athletics: 2

Constitution: 6

"If Mirt really is a Harper like he claimed," Kerri shrugs. "I'm sure he has a lot more secrets than just what's behind what he asked us to do."

When they arrive at Mirt's Mansion and Fenton starts talking about the alley Kerri just glares at him followed by Edvord. She crosses her arms and Aldrik forward to speak.

On the way to the mansion, Edvord stays mostly silent thinking back on the conversation in the bar. At one point in Aldrik and Kerri's argument an exasperated Edvord waves off-hand to Aldrik, "Brother, let her keep her secrets... so long as this jaunt back to your drinking buddy's mansion will not be a waste of time."

As Fenton approaches and accosts the party, Edvord becomes defensive. "Very astute Fenton... We did indeed make it out of that alley alive..."

The mage slightly turns his head and makes a snide remark to Aldrik and Kerri that can still be overhead by Fenton, "Truly, reassuring that Mirt employs such perceptive help."

Without missing a beat, Edvord continues, "As for the statute, it is not on our persons. You are free to check... though the lady may react poorly to such an attempt. My brother shall explain further."

Aldrik is about to fire another retort to Kerri, but looks up from his saddled position on Mouse and sees they are at Mirt's already. After Edvord makes his... introductions, Aldrik shakes off the invisible wagon tracks covering his entire body and flashes a pleasant smile.

"Indeed! We have a point of discussion with you on that factor. Did you know that statue is sentient? Raises all sorts of moral and ethical questions! A man of your esteemed station and keen perception would surely notice such an oddity. Does our mutual benefactor know it has such a trait?"

Persuasion: 19 (with help, if Edvord's intro can be considered that...: 20)

Insight: 8

"Regardless, we are here to discuss the other issue of Mirt's concern, you know, the black rats infesting his interests in the other wards, which we followed from the poor mare's stable. We have some information to pass to him."

On the mountain….

Cico and Aimee lead the way, their superior sight helping them avoid any loose rocks. Whilst Cico’s guidance keeps Lyss on a safe path, one wrong foot sends her sliding back down the mountain. As she looks back at the sheer drop below, her arms flail before her grasping out.

She feels a grasp at her arms, and looks ahead to see her friends holding each of her arms. Cico winces as they tug her upright, though it seems easy for Aimee. 

As they reach the dangling light of the cave above, the short but arduous journey shows it’s toll on Cico. Lyss, shaken by her fall, doesn’t seem so hot either. Aimee, just skips on ahead. 

(3 levels of exhaustion for cico, 1 for Lyss and none for Aimee.)

Candlelight casts flickering shadows along the inside of the cave. A calm voice calls out, “I have been expecting you…. an unlikely trio. One who studies way of the shadows, one who has learned to live with the shadows of their past and one with no shadow at all. Enter, and should you prove yourself you shall receive my wisdom.”

Cico nearly collapses once he reaches the cave entrance. He quickly examines his own body for a wound he may have picked up in the morning that he didn't notice, but he finds nothing. Perhaps the strangeness of the food and air in this city has taken it's toll.

Despite the fatigue settling over him he nods at Aimee and Lyss and then enters the cave.

"What proof do you seek, Master Hlam," Cico says.

After Cico seems ready, Lyss will let Aimee's exuberance run.

At Mirt’s…. 

Fenton sighs, “ Why… it was the late Lady Asper’s possession, the Old Wolf still hasn’t noticed it’s disappearance, I doubt he would have noticed it’s sentience. He owns many sentient magical artefacts, I assume this one has asked to be materialised? I would be more than happy to assist with that if you can return it. I may have some contacts who could extract it’s essence, preserving the statuette as a mundane decoration. I simply ask that none of this is mentioned to the master.”

He opens the double doors to Mirt’s dining room, the Old Wolf feasting on a leg of mutton. “Mirt the Merciless” Fenton announces, “A report from your field operatives”