(As you all leave the tomb and make your way back to Calla, Lorys pipes up.) 

“Are we going to the Tavern or to Rickard’s?”

DMs note: Not sure if Lorys is coming back, so just using her character for a bit.

(You all make it back to the town and the tavern about 6 in the evening, just as the Tavern is getting busy. You're greeted with enthusiasm again and are welcomed by Willfred.)

"Welcome back, folks. Great to see you again."

(You look around the tavern and see most of the same folks that were there last time, including the Old Lady.) 

Nikta is just not a guy that likes being in the spotlight, so he's going to hang back/behind the others trying to be as invisible as possible...

Carxus is intimidated by large, boisterous crowds due to his extended time spent in quiet solitude. He also chooses to hang back while letting the others bask in glory.

"Quite a way to start off your Adventuring career, huh? Where do you all think you'll be heading next?"

(The party looks at each other as Willfred smiles and continues to clean some tankards.)

"Not that we wouldn't love to have you stay, of course. But nothing much happens in Calla. This is just about the only interesting thing that's happened in the last 10 years."

(Willfred chuckles.)

"Welton's a couple of days south and Hogsbottom is a couple of days east. Who knows what awaits you all?"

"Excuse me, Willfred. What can you tell us about the two cities? Are either of them having trouble with anything?" Lena asks, hopping up onto to one of the nearby chairs to have a better view of the man.

(Willfred thinks it over for a moment.)

"No, not as far as I know. News travels slowly, of course. Welton's a more rural place, I guess. Some farms and a whole lot of sheep and goats and such. Hogsbottom is more like an industry town. Big ones are the slaughterhouse industry and Tapwell's Apple Cider Mill. Even if you don't find much there, the further south or east you go, the bigger the towns get. The really big cities are about 3-4 weeks ride from here."

(Willfred places some small cups in front of you all, takes out a small barrel, and pours you all some cider.)

"Yup, every tavern worth anything carries Tapwell Cider. Here you go, fellas. On the house."

(Willfred moves along to help some other customers.)

 "For what it's worth, I say we settle up with Ricard and head out toward Hogsbottom."

DM's note: Since Gerard mentioned he wanted to do something, I'll wait until that's done before you guys head out. Also, Nikta, if you could clarify what you mean by 'settle up with Rickard', how you see that going, etc.

(perhaps this could have been conversed while we were returning to town without the loot we thought we might find in the tomb, instead of out in the open at the tavern)

"I say we prepare a gift box addressed to Bess containing the 100gp with a nice warm note to Ricard from the lot of us. Then surreptitiously leave it at their house without being noticed, being long gone by the time she opens it so he can't refuse it out of politeness. Ricard gets his savings back, we get to feel good about ourselves, bess gets to open a present, everybody wins..."

Carxus agrees. “Sounds perfect to me.”

"I agree." 

I'll peel off from the others then, while they chat about the Order and the sword anD all that, ask one of the bar hands if they happen to have any ribbon or a box or small container we can stash the GP in, and a piece of paper for a note... Presuming finding something suitable, I'll scratch off some simple nice message and warm wishes, and make sure we all sign it, gather up the gold and ready it for drop-off. 

(The Old Woman's eyes light up as she sees the sword.)

"Well I'll be..."

(Her eyes get glassy as she stares at the sword intently.)

"Thank you for this, young man. Now that I know it's all true, I guess it's up to me to pass the stories along to all MY children and their children... Thank you."

(Meanwhile, Nikta has managed to get a small box from Jack the Serving Boy that seems suitable for the party's purposes.Everyone signs it and agrees to get an early start tomorrow morning to put the box in front of Rickard's house on the way out of town.

The party wakes up early the next morning... to find Lorys gone! A note seems to be left in her bed.)

Dear comrades,

I will never forget this adventure, and being able to help save the little girl is something that I will always be proud of. But almost dying in the floor of that tomb has made me realize there are things in my personal life I need to right before I can devote myself to this lifestyle. Perhaps I will see you all again in the future. If not, may the gods protect and keep you. I know you shall all do great things to make this world a better place.

Your friend,

Lorys

(The stunned party prepare and leave the tavern, talking about Lorys' departure as they walk to Rickard's house.)

DM's note:

Nice, elegant way to write her out actually - and if she were to appear again it's not as if you couldn't write her in as easily!

Carxus tears up also. “I’ll never forget the way she taught me how to butcher a boar....sniff.”😭

"Oh. I wish I could have gotten to know her better, she was really nice." Lena sighs sadly, but then perks up.

"Well its not like she's gone forever. We could always run into her again.Right?" Lena smiles up at the others.