"Hmph. Stupid boy." Rudick mutters under his breath, watching as the boy took off. Skip then is given a sidelong look. After some mental debate, some word spoken in Orcish leads to the Skip's nose painfully righting itself, if only just so. "Rest of you give chase. I'll follow at a distance. Least I give a worse impression with my countenance." He points after the runner."But go quick! All of you." He bids the others.

Once at least someone is on the chase, Rudick took a moment to limber up old limbs a little before jogging at a casual pace.

---> (1st level)Healing Word on Skip, restoring: 5 HP.

Skip, your owl takes flight alongside Alev. Alev, it's nice to use your wings after not using them for a few days as you begin to soar. You both fly above the sleepy town has you watch Milivoj duck into an alley between two buildings. He presses his back to one of the buildings and steadies himself. As your message meets his mind, he jumps in fright as he looks frantically around him to find the source. Instead of receiving a reply, you get a strong sense of panic and hear a jumble of words you don't think you were meant to hear, "...work for Strahd...why...to me...Henrik must...told Strahd..."

Sergei figures the fliers have got the issue covered than he could, and he doesn't feel like running through the streets of a strange town where people get put in the stocks for the silliest of reasons. He will inspect where Milivoj had been gardening to try to figure out if there was anything unusual there, something hidden/buried.

Investigation 11

Standing up, wincing as Rudicks healing spell takes effect, Skip mutters to him “Thanks. I gotta learn me some of that orcish speech.” With a smile. Mclosing his eyes for a few seconds, Skip sees through the eyes of Nook, sensing Alev beside him, and sees the boy duck into the alley 

“I know where he is” he tells his friend, before trotting off after him

Alev glances at the owl before turning to look at the frightened boy. He sends a message to Skip. "It seems he works for Strahd, maybe. Mumbled something about someone called Henrik."

Walking closer to the boy, he speaks softly. "Strahd is a monster, Milivoj. He will kill you and your brother if you work for him, that's what vampires always do to people. But we can protect you, Milivoj, if you let us. But you have to let us help you. Please, tell me, who is this Henrik?"

Despite his words and kind demeanor, he is wary of the boy and he's on the lookout for any funny business coming from him or any hint that his answers could be lies.

Insight: 6

Leann would nod as the fliers take off, figuring they would be better at staying with the boy than she would be chasing after. She moves in the general direction, waiting for a report on the boy's location.

Milivoj is startled by your presence as you land nearby. He raises the shovel, and his gaze frantically flickers about you like a caged animal. At your words, a confused expression comes across his face as he says, "Why would I be working for the devil  Strahd? Isn't that what your doing?" He begins to slowly retreat slightly down the ally, his eyes never leaving you.

 You think you just have misinterpreted his thoughts. You believe he thinks you are working for Strahd. He looks fearful of you, but he has a determination about him that makes you think he will right to his last breathe if it comes down to it.

((Pictures Posted))

"...No, I'm not." Alev says. "I'm sorry, it seems that this is all a misunderstanding. I'm not working for the vampire, all I want is to kill it."

"You see, Milivoj, my friends and I came here to hunt down monsters. Vampires are monsters, and manipulative ones. So when the priest told us about a theft and you seemed to be acting suspicious, me and my friends just assumed the worse." Alev's feathers ruffled. "Sorry for that, but don't think for a second I'm working for that thing. Ever since I came here, that bastard has made my life a total nightmare!"

Milivoj eyes you uncertaintly, before he signs and says, "Yeska told me about the bones last month, and I mentioned it to Henrik, the coffin maker. He said if gave him the bones, he would give me gold so I can feed my siblings." He shrugs, "They're just bones, so I don't know what the big deal is about it."

Sergei, you root around in the soil, but you find nothing suspicious. 

Everyone who wants to can arrive just as Alev begins speaking again.

Alev sighs. "That's understandable, kid. I probably would have done the same... But I'm afraid those bones really were a huge deal, as it turns out. If the priest is right, then they are the only thing that could keep that devil out of the church. Don't ask me how, it's just what the priest said. Without those, there's nothing to prevent him from just coming inside and kill us all."

He realizes something, and he asks. "If they were just bones as you say, why do you think this Henrik guy wanted them so much as to pay gold for them? Don't you realize how weird that is?"

At Alev's words, Milivoj pales as he stammers, "I- I didn't know that. All I knew is he'd pay good money for them, so I didn't ask. I had no idea that's what they did." He looks around, almost expecting Strahd to swoop down of the morning gloom to attack him.

It is then you notice something odd: Milivoj is wearing no shoes. He doesn't seem bothered about it, but it is interesting.

"Why are you not wearing shoes?" Leann asks as she walks up, nodding to the boy's feet. She then meets his eyes as she waits for his response.

Sergei is there too and I assume he was quickly caught up to speed

“Who is this Henrik guy?”

As the rest of the party trickles in, you see that what little trust Milivoj had for Alev begins to evaporate. He believes Alev's words, but he is still cautious. He answers, "Some of us are protesting the arrest of the cobbler by  not wearing any shoes. If we protest any other way, we'll disappear too." He looks to Sergei and says, "Henrik makes coffins. He's kind of a pariah."

“Where can we find Henrik?” Skip asks asNook flutters down to his shoulder

Milivoj eyes Skip before saying, "He lives in his shop in the eastern side of town. He rarely leaves." After that, he gives you detailed instructions on how to get there. You believe you can now find Henrik when the time comes. Milivoj looks at each of you wearily, awaiting more questions.

Sergei will unobtrusively and non-ostentatiously offer Milivoj 3 gold pieces

"Here, maybe this will help."

"Take this, too" Alev says, searchin on his backpack before pulling out one of the moss agates he found back at the haunted house, "Just a gift from someone who knows what is like. No more, no less."

I have other two of these, anyways. He thinks, but obviously doesn't say it.

As you offer him the money and stone, his eyes widen in amazement at seeing the fortune before him. He tentatively takes the items, not believing his luck. He stammers as tears of gratitude begin to form in the corners of his eyes, "Thank you so much. If you ever need me, don't feel afraid to ask." With that, he turns and leaves you in the alley."

Sergei and Alev gain inspiration.

"Shall we go to this shop then?" Leann asks, nodding after the boy. "That was good thinking, aiding him as you did." She says to her companions.