"I might be useless," Lyrika says with perfect cheer, "But I can chronicle your adventures and make a silly song of them, and that's worth something. Oh, and the rest of that bottle of wine has volunteered to accompany us, if I understood what it told me correctly."

The Baron looks at you, just quietly staring for a moment before speaking. "No. I have given you all that I intend to give you, and I have been very generous. If you want to consort with criminals that is up to you, but I will not help you do it. I would suggest, though, that if you want to investigate you begin thinking more like an investigator, and less like a common thief." 

“What would you know of investigation work? If you want to catch a criminal, you need to think like a criminal. The fastest way to find the assassin is to talk with the people he work with. I can’t very well do that with a badge. They will just clan up and then spread the word...” his ears flip back in irritation and his eyes narrow “I’m new to this lands.. I don’t have my usual contact network, if I did, you’d already know who was behind this. If you want my help, you‘l do what I ask. This charade has been going on too long.” You can now glimps a piece of Edgar you previously hadn’t noticed before. “My speciality lie in the shadows. I can’t work in the shadows without some means.” He pauses and take a deep breath. “Fine.. 100g will do and a valuable item. It need to be rare but not so uncommon that it draws attention.. a painting, a valuable piece of jewlery or something of the sort.” 

She peers at you like she's trying to look into your soul. "You have balls, I'll give you that. But what I'm not going to give you is more money that can be spread around to criminals. If you want to make contacts then that's your prerogative, but I am still responsible for the order and good governance of this kingdom. Financing its underworld is not something that fits my duties. Be careful what you ask for, follower of tricks, for tricks may come back your way." As you look more closely at her you can see one of the rings on her hand is actually a symbol of a tree with a spear forming a trunk, the symbol of Galor. Not a friendly sight for a follower of Onoso, for Galor's paladins are known to be as unforgiving as the nature they serve.

“M’lady, I think you miss understand. Now that we have agreed to help you, we will do so. But I can’t do the work you ask of me with out at least some means. I am as poor as they come. I have spent my last silvers on the fair today and was going to take to the road tomorrow. At least part with enough gold so that I can go to the tavern and try to make contact.” He take a deep breath. “Or all I will be good for is helping Lyrika compose a song of our deeds here.” 

Fenro turns toward Lyrika as the others continue to talk. "There is a lot you can do. Think about what you do when you perform. You need to read a crowd and judge what they are feeling, how they are likely to react. You recall details about things that others may overlook. I am sure that you will pick up details that the rest of us would miss."

"I'm also pretty good at being a distraction, if you ever need one," she adds.

"Edgar, please, let it go. This is one argument you will not win."

Aramae is pinching the bridge of his nose slightly.

He casts Message to Edgar as well.

'And I would prefer not being the last remaining Tabaxi on Talia, so please don't attempt to steal from the woman.'

"Oh I'm sure you're not as poor as you say, what with the things you took from the bodies. How about this. I will get Ragnar to learn on the Black Hand's contact within the guards here to keep quiet. That way they won't know you were here. Should keep your costs down." 

Edgar looks at her confused for a few seconds “oh right.. I forgot about that. Never mind then. “ he gives Ara an embarrassed smile. “Shall we go then?” 

Aramae puts his arm over Edgar's shoulder and walks with him as we all leave the keep, teasingly tapping his tail against Edgar's for being cheeky.

(I would assume we leave now unless anyone has last minute discussions.)

Oryxis has leant against the wall, eyes closed, almost bored. Once the other are about to leave, he interjects: "Really? You all give up to easily, and Baron, I'm sorry but I still doubt your motives... How are we to go about our business with a single piece of paper that says the five of us are on official business? Clearly, we have different skillsets and different groups of people we can blend in with... if we're alone. Together, we're more feline folk than this town has likely seen in years. Not what you'd want in an investigative crew. Now, I might not be learned, but the steppes teach us too, and the successful hunter needs to blend in, and have the rest of the pride attack from different sides, if the prey is to be taken down. If you trust us so little that you can't give Edgar the sums he needs to do his work, and you won't give us each a writ of passage, then do me this favour please: Pay Edgar from my share of whatever you had in mind, call it an investment on my part. In return, give us each your seal and burn this useless sheet of paper. A seal can also be used to intimidate someone otherwise unwilling to talk and will get us to the truth much closer."

By now, he had calmed down almost completely, and sounded more bemused than angry.

Persuasion: 16

"Ah, Oryxis, the Baron had already given us a letter granting us accesses and authority akin to a high ranking officer. Did you not notice? I believe she gave it to Fenro, if I am not mistaken."

Aramae had said as he glanced back over his shoulder to the very self-assured Leonia.

She turns to you slowly. "I was under the impression that your payment was the horses and the writ here for freedom of access and pursuit. What, would you like one less horse so that he can fund more crimes? That's not something im going to give. He has money from criminals that he can use on criminals." 

"No no, just the gold from the bardic contest, some horses, and the letter to notify officials of the granted authority will do."

Aramae is speaking to the Baron, but is giving glances to Edgar and Oryxis.

((It was a little unclear who the letter was handed to so I will roll with it))

Fenro slipped the letter into the pouch at his side. "Right here for when we need it," he says to the others.  "Being quite late, I think we should take no more than an hour to scour the area back at the tent before we get some rest. I would hate to miss anything that might get cleaned away, but there is little we can do at this time of day."

Oryxis exhaled: "No gods, no masters. How I wish it were true."

This baron seemed to have some serious insecurities, based on how she was trying to enforce her authority so deliberately. Oryxis balked at the imposition, and felt clearly uncomfortable about the whole situation. But it seemed clear that they weren't getting anywhere with this lady tonight, and he felt the sooner they could get out of the keep, the better. He longed to see the stars, just to know that he'd have the humans at a disadvantage again. He didn't think that many here knew that the leonin of the steppes often hunted by night and had quite excellent vision in little to no light.

“come Ara. Let’s get this business over with. I will manage somehow, I always do.” He say a little sulky and walk past the Baron and crowns guard out of the tent. 

"Of course, my friend. Business awaits!"

Aramae, still with his arm around Edgar, walks ahead of the others. Eager to get down to work.

You all leave the keep and make you way through the darkened and empty streets back to the central square where the tent now sits empty. Guards in their copper coloured armor patrol the perimeter but let you pass inside once you show them the letter. 

What would you like to do?