The older man is slow to stand up from the ground after giving up searching the ground for evidence. He dusts himself off before giving a quick sideways glance towards the Officer that had been speaking with Alexa. "Quiet you big rug.. keep your voice down would ya." he would say before motioning to the tabaxi to move a few more steps into the Alleyway. Once out of sight of the other officers in the foggy alley, his posture would relax a bit as he leans against the wall and removes his metal helmet. "Oh you know.. another day another murder. Being an upstanding member of the watch like myself... I cannot be handing out information about open cases... you know that. We have rules after all." He would say with a grin as he holds his helmet out in front of him as though expecting something to be dropped inside. 

Flowers drops the bag Volo gave them in to the helmet.

Clayton grins wide. "Alright! well I'll tell ya everything I know but it ain't much so don't get mad at me" The watchman would say as he takes the bag of coins and places his helmet back on his head. He would quickly look around before lowering his voice even further. "Alright.. so what I can tell you is that something has got the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild fighting like dogs. There in the street is just the latest in a series of attacks between the two groups. In this case it looks like the Zhents came out on top today. Looks like they only lost one guy in the fight with five Xants." He would pause and spit on the ground before continuing. "I hear a report that there was another fight between them over at the Yawning Portal earlier today... heard one of them even fired an arrow through a crowd of folks just hoping to off one of their rivals. I tell ya.... both groups are getting really bold to make these moves in the middle of the day. I don't know if it is desperation or what. I'm just hoping to stay out of the way and let it all blow over. Too many folks don't make it to reitrement in this town if you catch my drift."

Flowers chuckles at the mention of the fight.  

"The Zhent and Xanathar...interesting.  I wouldn't worry too much about the Yawning Portal I heard that fight didn't last long." and he'll give a bit of a smile "Say have you heard anything about the Skewered Dragon recently?  Working an angle to get more of where that came from..." and he'll nods at the bag of coins "that involves some action there."

"I know the place is a dump...  The Skewered Dragon faces an alley that runs between Net Street and Fillet Lane in the Dock Ward, not far from the Old Xoblob Shop." Clayton would say as he scratches his scruffy cheek. "Now I heard rumors that the Zhents own that place... but as far as recent activity.. Nothing other than folks getting drunk, robbed, and beat up.. pretty much nothing out of the ordinary for the dock ward." 

"Sounds good, if you hear anything else let me know." and Flowers will shake Clayton's hand and catch up with the rest of the party - where he will share what he learned from his friend.

Alexa inclines her head to the Watch officer. "Ilmater watch over you," she murmurs before rejoining the group.

Upon hearing about the parties involved, she presses her lips together, nodding. "I see," she says simply.

On the walk to the dock, Marla has Shade flying overwatch, to make it difficult for anyone to get the drop on them as they pass alleyways and turn corners. As they get closer to the Skewered Dragon Shade will start to circle the area, visibility notwithstanding, keeping an eye out for anything untoward. If she sees anything she'll return to Marla to let her know...

"Hmm, I wasn't anticipating getting caught in a gang war, but these things happen."

Misha nodded in agreement.

"Does anyone know of a quiet little inn that I could stay at? As interesting as The Yawning Portal is, I'd rather sleep somewhere that doesn't have the risk of a troll climbing up in the middle of the night."

Jorah perks in, hiding in Alexa's shadow to avoid the sun's rays. His hood has been pulled up over his eyes, his snout jutting out, "If little moon wisheez. Jorah's tribe have many bedzz. Smell bad, but safe if friend....are you friend?"

As you make your way around the crime scene the fog does not let up. Thick cloud cover and drizzle prevent the sun from liberating you from the fog. As you approach the Dock ward, tall, densely packed tenements leave most of the neighborhood in shadow at ground level. Most of the streetlamps have had their glass smashed and their candles stolen, and the smells of salt air and excrement linger as you pass by rows of run-down buildings. It almost feels as though hours have past in an instant and nightfall is soon approaching in the dark and foggy district. As you approach the corner of corner of Zastrow Street and Fillet Lane, One nearby shop stands out from the others. It has a deep purple facade, and in its window hangs a stuffed beholder. Above the door hangs a sign whose elaborate letters spell out “Old Xoblob Shop.” Glancing down Fillet lane, you can barley make out the battered sign for The Skewered Dragon...

"If the Zhent own this place we best be wary while we're in there." Flowers will warn as he hefts his maul up on to his shoulder.

Alexa reaches into her bag and pulls out a dark blue scarf that she wraps around the collar on her neck before heading for the Dragon.

"I'm afraid that I'd be too big for one of your beds." Jen says before heading for the Dragon.

Marla leaves Shade outside the inn, keeping watch on the entrance, as she joins the rest of the group heading inside. ‘I have a room at a boarding house Jen. I can offer you a warm and dry floor at least...’

As you approach the dilapidated tavern... shadowy image of the building comes into focus. The Skewered Dragon looks like a ruin. Both of its front-facing windows are smashed, and a ship’s anchor is lodged in the roof. Through the windows, you can see a group of haggard patrons drinking from huge tankards. Moving inside your feet crunch with every sticky step as you smash bits of broken glass and stale food crumbs. It isn't much brighter inside than it was out in the thick fog, and the glares from the regulars don't make it feel any warmer either.

"Thees looks like a nice vacation spot." Misha observes, a smirk on her face indicating that she may or may not be serious. After a few moments, she steps inside.

"Watch my back, I'm going to ask some questions." Jen walks up to the nearest occupied table. "Hello, a young man named Floon was seen entering this tavern. Would you have any idea about where he might be?"