Lyrika is always ready to try out some wine, but keeps a grave expression on her face in memory of all the rulers that have been killed.

“Those we took down all had a braided band aroun their arms. That might a clue.” He looks to the Aething and her guardian. “ so now what? What happens to us?” 

Shit.. this is just the attention I wished to avoid... he thing to him self.

"Well, we were hoping that you might help us. The only thing that we've been able to determine about the attack here is that they had help from inside the guards. We don't know who, so that makes almost everyone suspect. Since you five helped save the Lady that makes you the most trustworthy people in the city. We need you to tell us what happened. Especially since all the attackers are dead." 

"Hmm... well all I could tell you is that I had sat down to enjoy a wonderful competition among talented musicians when suddenly a small group of men rushed into the tent and began firing weapons upon the Lady here. Myself and Edgar, along with Oryxis and Fenro began fending them off. Lyrika had been separated from us momentarily to prepare for her own part of the contest before eventually joining us out in the staging area. I will say, that count made a rather quick exit and looked unusually calm despite the circumstances. I suspect he knows something, even if he may not have been directly involved. Edgar can attest to this as well."

Edgar squirm a bit under the eyes of the Goliath “he did seem quite calm and he could easily tell I was tailing him in the chaos. I suspect that, even if he is innocent, he knows something.”

pause

“You say that we are your most reliable source of information right now, but what do you want us to do? I don’t want to come of rude but what makes you think we’re willing to get tangled up in this dangerous business?” 

Oryxis is a little irritated to have Aramae speak for him: "I was there as the hired bodyguard of Osmyos the Silvertongued. He was to be a judge for the new skaldic talents, but it wasn't to be. When I heard the ding of battle, I rushed for the center stage, though admittedly too late to have any impact on the events. While I'd be willing to protect and serve, I have to echo Edgar here- it sounds like what you need are investigators and informers. I can be intimidating, but I'm really a lot better at breaking bones than producing confessions."

The goliath shakes his head. "I had hoped that your sense of duty to the Kingdoms and a desire not to have anyone else killed would be enough. But I can see it is not. The Crowns will pay you for the work you are doing. What we really need is people who are not guards or associated with us to help us get answers. And as for the angle of the Count, if he was involved and able to send you running back to the fight, why not turn you against the Lady here. Why let you help. Seems like a poor plan for someone as smart as he would have to be to pull off this sort of attack. I would suggest you turn your minds to more logical avenues." 

"I'll do it. If it pays enough," Lyrika volunteers, holding out her wine glass for a refill.

Oryxis gives an irritated snort. Who did this champion think he was? "I'm a leonin of the Brightmanes, this is no kingdom of mine. If I help you I'll do it because it's my wish, not because of your cause or your coin! That said, I have standing obligations to clear first. Osmyos is one of your subjects, maybe your appeal to patriotism will have more of an effect  on him."

He couldn't help but snicker at the fiesty satyr though, quite literally jumping at the reward. If they were to work together, he would at least know what motivated her.

"Well it seems only myself and Lyrika would be willing to aid you. Perhaps we can help in less....hands-on ways. As you gain information you could send word of it to us so that, in our travels, if we come across something or someone potentially relevant to what you tell us we would have better understanding if that were the case. For the most part, it seems the others merely wish to go where the winds take them. However you can consider me your roaming agent. I would merely need a means to send word in return to you. My magical abilities are not so advanced yet. Whatever happens from here, we are but a small group of individuals, not an army. So if the enemy has the manpower to attack all Barons simultaneously, who is to say they do not have a larger force waiting?"

The goliath laughs at Oryxis answer. "If your barons down in Nehimah were still alive I believe they would have something to say for you not being a part of their kingdom. You're not old enough to remember but the tieflings have crushed your people before, and they could do it again if they wanted too. You're people are allowed their autonomy because they pay for it, not because they could enforce it." 

"As for you all. If you do not want to help then you will be removed from Novgortah. You have a chance to curry favour with the Baron and possible future Queen who stands beside me here. If you do not want it then you should not be in her Kingdom. We will even send you to Schirit if you like, so that you can chase down this Count you are so obsessed with." 

"We help save your Lady's life and in exchange you threaten to exile us? My Lady, could you please give us your thoughts on the matter? Never mind your subordinate's rudeness. If you wish for me to leave your lands, you merely need to ask. However I believe we can all agree it is YOUR decision and not his."

The names are only vaguely familiar to Fenro, but the share scale of the attack shocks him still. Silently he sits on the cot and allows himself to process what was going on. By trying to help a seemingly innocent party he had stepped right into the middle of an attempt to overthrow a country.  The others relate why they can remember of the incident and Fenro adds in what he had learnt about the Count, the unusual impression he had of the bird, and the strong sense of magic that had come from some of his possessions.

“As to helping out, it may be my only option. I don’t exactly have anywhere I can call home at the moment, and i was inextricably mixed up with these events the moment Ingot out of my seat. If I want to be able to continue my own search, I can’t be looking over my shoulder every step of the way.”

The Æthling, now Baron, speaks up. "I would not put it in such harsh terms but I do agree that it is strange that you all would help out earlier and now say you do not want to be involved. People who do not want to be involved usually don't get involved." 

"I had offered to help, but I am afraid there is little I can do on my own."

Turning to face the group.

"I suppose we will simply leave, unless any of you have any last second changes of mind. Question is, where shall we go? Edgar and I are not currently on any trade runs for Aurelius, so on that front there is nowhere we need to be. As for you, Osyxis, did you wish to check in with your current employer? Osmyos, was it? And you, Fenro, were there any places you wished to see? Lyrika, I believe I can assume your goals have not changed. Coin can be obtained anywhere. As for me, well I wish to see and learn as much about Tisus as possible. Which I imagine can be done across Talia."

At this point a quite frantic knocking comes from the other side of the door. The Captain leans his head out and talks quietly for a moment before coming back in. "More bad news it seems. Apparently one of the attackers escaped and, along with two other men, has taken your employer hostage. They grabbed him as he got to his inn apparently." He looks to Oryxis.

The leonin is doing his utmost to hold back a roar, but you still see him growl and bare his fangs in a snarl: "There's nothing I care for more than my reputation! It's your insistence that meant I wasn't with him, but I'm the one suffering the hit! Where was this? I demand a horse to pursue them, and as payment for the damages. This discussion is over!" WIth that, Oryxis stands up to his full height, chest puffed out and mane bristling, as he steps forward to challenge the captain to let him through.

"Step aside now, before you make me angry!"

Aramae steps aside quickly.

As bad as this is undoubtedly going to turn out for both men, he couldn't deny a hint of curiosity within him to see how these would stack against each other.

The Captain doesn't move. "He was taken before we even began talking. You would only have found an empty room. It seems to me that you now have a reason to help us. If you can find the man who took your employer then we can find the last attackers and make everyone in this city safer. You will all still be paid as though you had said yes without this. Work with us, not against us." 

"I would not put it in such harsh terms but I do agree that it is strange that you all would help out earlier and now say you do not want to be involved. People who do not want to be involved usually don't get involved." 

"I cannot speak for the others, but I am new to this area, and must admit that I did not even know who the lady was. But I could not simply stand by while someone was attacked in such a public place. I am afraid I was not acting with any kind of politics in mind. But as I said, it feels like I am quite involved now."