"I think we can agree on one point at least. Lyrika should be given the money from the competition. She had a hand in saving your neck, and if that is not a valid reason to award someone then this country has more problems than we all realize. Plus whoever provided the gold was willing to part with it anyway. As for me, I think these Halls of Knowledge you mentioned will have any answers I seek, so I thank you for that but of information."

As another round of wine is passed, Aramae takes his and sips it.

"I think what my friend Edgar and new allies Fenro and Oryxis are most concerned with is either being unlawfully forced into a war that ultimately does not involve them or being labeled as criminal if we choose to leave. After the battle in the tent, we were forced to come to this keep. Your right-hand crownsman had said it was to collect information, which we readily provided. I think I speak for us all when I say we have no ill will towards Novgortah. However, we are also not so quick to risk our own necks entering a war we likely would not survive. As I said before, we are just a small group of individuals, not a full fledged army."

The Baron nods along as you speak. "I think there has been some sort of fundamental misunderstanding about this whole thing. There is no war, or at least not yet. It seems that someone has attacked every kingdom equally so who are we going to go to war with? We are not asking for your help as soldiers, we are asking for your help in investigating because is seems that these attackers have influenced our soldiers somehow, how else would they have had weapons inside the tent? You five are the most trustworthy people around right now, who won't raise suspicion if you investigate."

"As for the rest, how about this. I am more than happy to give Lyrika the coin purse that I put up for the competition, it's going towards a good cause after all. I obviously can't bring the Halls of Knowledge here but you are welcome there at any time. What I can do is more to what Edgar there said. I will personally pay for you accommodations for three nights, total, in three places. You'll have a night at the Knight's Rest, here in Bolope. A night at the inn in Sundaraic. And a night at the White Plains, in Thurnak. Are these terms acceptable?"

Oryxis clears his throat: "And some of your horses. If I'm to chase whoever took my former employer, I want to have a reasonable chance of catching up to them."

He tries to sound a reasonable as possible, suppressing his anger further.

Persuasion: 21

Aramae smiles from behind his mug.

"Those are very acceptable terms, and very generous. I am glad to have at least partially cleared the air between both sides. However, when I mentioned a war, I merely suspected that there may be a possibility of one. If so, the identity of the enemy is of course as yet unknown. Purely speculation on my part. And I agree with Oryxis, horses or the like will be needed for travel. My next question would be what is it in those cities you wish for us to look into? A person or people? A location? Both? You had named them so specifically so I was curious."

"Horses won't be needed, at least to start off. The Captain was able to lock down the city. No one in or out until we say so. To start off I was hoping you would be so kind as to try and find the last assassin. They should still be in the city and your employer should be with them. 

As for the cities, you had mentioned that you wanted to visit the Halls. So you have one night in Thurnak, where the Halls are, and one night in Sundaraic, the only large town along the road there." 

"Knowing that the halls of knowledge are open to all is definitely good news. I fear the knowledge I hunt may not be physical in nature. A word of introduction to the temples would not go amiss." Fenro was happy that things had settled down and that rational discussion was having a chance to succeed.

Oryxis snorted: "I'm sorry, these are the same guards that were meant to protect you? Forgive me if I sound incredulous, but they failed once already today, and now I'm to believe that they won't let the assassins slip through? If we are to investigate this, then I ask you to please give us the means to do so to the fullest extent. So far, you've steered us away from the count and now you make unfounded assumptions about the assassins still residing within the city. I want to believe you, but in the interests of an expedient investigation, I ask that we be given the necessary leeway. That will serve me more than your coin."

"Letters to the temples are easy enough. And what sort of leeway?" She says, her eyes narrowing a bit.

"Transport for one. Right of passage for another. A means of contact as the third item. If our investigations lead us to conclude that the assassins have already escaped the town, I want to be able to chase them immediately, as long as the trail is fresh, so to speak, rather than having to come back here and get the necessary permissions first. YOu say you trust us, prove it."

She nods. "Alright. Horses can be arranged, and we can give you a letter of marque for this endeavor. It will only be for this endeavor however, any attempt to abuse it and it will be canceled, understood? As for contact, I will have to see what we can come up with. Let us talk in the morning and we can start from there. I'm sure investigating while everyone is tired will only lead to clues being missed." 

"I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. Strike the iron while it's hot and all. If it's alright, I'd like to start now, the first 24 hours are key." by now Oryxis just enjoyed to disagree, although he secretly hoped that they could set out sooner.

"I am actually inclined to agree with Oryxis. If we wait too long those who know anything will either leave or possibly even be 'persuaded' not to speak."

Aramae taps his furry chin with a claw, looking deep in thought, taking in everyone's points.

"Yes, I can't help but agree. The earlier we can begin our pursuit the better. Whatever preparations needed must be done as soon as possible."

"Alright, so be it. Just don't get so tired you miss things." She hands you the letter of marque that the Captain has been writing while you talk. 

You open it and it says. 

 ((A reminder that you are free to search into the night but places will be closed and if you search much later you will suffer a point of exhaustion.))

"That would be under such preparations I had mentioned. Thank you for the letter and your time."

Aramae turns to the group.

"Shall we head out now, make our way to the nearest city to rest, taking notes along the way?"

"If our friend here is so certain the last assassin is still in the city, I think we should start there. It would not look good if we were out tracking down clues only for the threat to still be behind us. I think it best to head back to the tent and see if we can find any leads from there."

"Very well."

Aramae stands from his seat.

"Edgar! Your tracking and skulking skills will be quite useful. Use subterfuge to find our target. And do not so blatantly give yourself away much like during the bardic competition, please. Although it was quite comical watching you charade playing an instrument."

Aramae chuckles a bit before turning to Fenro.

"You are a druid, yes? It is my understanding that druids have the ability to shift their forms into various animals. If I am not mistaken, then perhaps you could turn into a nocturnal creature of flight? A view from the skies could be useful. Unless of course you feel your skills are better served on the ground."

Turning his attention to Lyrika.

"Ah, as much as my ears do enjoy your talents, I do not think music will aid us in our current endeavor, but I could very well be wrong. I know I have seen only a mere taste of what you can do."

Glancing over to Oryxis.

"And you, our new feline ally, your sword arm and ferocious vocal cords cannot be denied. Though I am curious as to what else you are capable of."

"Maybe one day I will have that ability. I have seen others who follow this path take on the shapes of the world around them Unfortunately that knowledge is still hidden from me. What I can gather from the ground will have to do. I will happily go back to the tent with someone and question those who are in the area." 

”Ara.. I’m the boss in this group, and as my first order I want you to take command!” He say waaay to late.

“Baron æthling” he say more seriously “I will need some coin. Where I’m going that slip is not going to work. Roughly 200g should suffice and before you say no, know this, if you want to catch a fish, you need bait. Any one who know anything will just run if we start waving a badge around.” He smile a charming yet cunning smile. “I will also need a precious item. It has to be rare and preferably from your house. Nothing will be easier to fence, and if the cabal in your city is going to trust me, this is unnegotiable.”

Aramae puts his chin in his hand, fingers over his lips, watching with vast curiosity how Edgar thinks he can actually be given such a high amount of coin on top of what we are already receiving as well as a preciously valuable item he openly admits to intend to sell, and how that is useful in any way. Perhaps Edgar had thought of something he had not. Perhaps it is related to this lead he had mentioned hours prior and completely unrelated to our current mission. Whatever the case, Aramae is incredibly interested in Edgar's ambitions.