Lyrika nods. "Sneaky work at the bridge it is, then. Just let me know when you need some music to distract the locals or to provide a great soundtrack for your exploits, and I will be ready for anything! We can hide in the bushes or something while you meet your informants. "

Oryxis perked up at the lead: "Great work! I've talked to the guards: seems like they were called away because there was an attack against the city at the same time. Seems like a hobgoblin tribe chose the same evening for a strike, shortly before the assassination. The hobgoblins were real, and it makes sense that the guards prioritsed an attack, so I think it's safe to rule out magic as a means of getting entry for the assassins. 

What I'm wondering about though is the sense of getting a tribe of hobgoblins and a second group of mercenaries to attack simultaneously to have the best possible chances of assassinating the Æthling, but they don't just try and get a professional assassin to do the job. Edgar, do you think your lead might be able to give us answers to that? Or does anything anyone else discovered help us make sense of that?"

"Do you think it might be worth asking the Hobgoblins if someone put them up to it?  If there were any survivors, I mean," says Lyrika.

"Perhaps, that's assuming there's a chance they will be willing to tell us anything. Not to mention, do any of you speak Goblin? I do not. Hmmm, Oryxis, did the guards you questioned mention where the hobgoblins came from? They only appeared outside the walls of the city? No sewer entrance or any such alternative means of entry?"

Fenro listened as the others added their elements to the story. It is interesting that the Aethling had such a clear idea of where they needed to go to continue their investigation, even arranging accomodation along the way, yet the information they had received seemed to draw their attention to the hobgoblin tribes. 
“I feel like these best step from here is to find out who convincex the hobgoblins to attack when they did. That was far to convenient to be a coincidence.”

"I concur, Fenro. A hobgoblin attack at the same time as an attempt on a royal's life is far too much to be mere coincidence. This was all very well planned but poorly executed. Either those that tried were woefully unprepared or those that hired them do not have deep enough pockets to hire true professionals. Edgar and I have not seen much combat as members of the Aurelius Trading company, but those men we fought in the tent were dispatched with relative ease."

Weighing in on the skill of the assassins, Oryxis concurred: "They knew how to use their weapons and how to take care of the important bits, but their plan was mediocre, as was their fighting. As far as I'm concerned, there are only a couple of options: They could be fanatics, but then they would have shouted something to the effect of their plans, they could be mediocre mercenaries poorly led and not expecting any resistance, or they could be mediocre assassins. To me, the second option makes the most sense. Together with the hobgoblin attack, it seems like we might be onto someone with ties to mercenary bands."

Finishing his train of thought, Oryxis looked at the others. "I'm all for backing up Edgar for a meet on the third bridge. In the meantime, is there a way we can gather some more detail on the other attacks throughout the realm? I would like to confirm that they too were under simultaneous attack, and I would be curious to know why the attackers were more successful there. Aside from that though, I believe that we might do well to try and offer our services as mercenaries to a local band, to try and figure out if anyone has been paying out large scale contracts. What do you think?"

"I had spoken to an official from Tulcanis and he confirmed that Tulcanis was also targeted. Hmmm, Edgar, are you aware of any branches of Aurelius in this city? I do not think there is one, but I cannot be sure. As to your lead, I don't know how helpful that man was when it comes to our investigation, nor can I say this late meeting will prove fruitful, but I will of course aid you as best as I am able."

Aramae runs his fingers through his furry chin in thought.

"Hmmm, the guards were questioned and found to be doing their duty. The count, who we have yet to determine if he even had any hand in the raid, did make a surprisingly quick but calm exit. Until evidence to the contrary arises, I think I may give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Though I am curious as to why he didn't aid in the rescue or at least send one or two of his guards. The crownsman, supposed right hand man to the newly crowned Baron, was not at her side until the end of the attack. And during, there was a force of hobgoblins 300 strong. But only a small handful of men to actually engage the Aethling herself. That is what I find most curious. We have some of their blue armbands. We may be able to ask around about anyone seen wearing them."

"The count may have gone off to defend against the attack?" Oryxis tried to suggest, not really believing in the guilt of the Count himself. "Armbands? The hobgoblins didn't have any as far a I'm aware, and why would the attackers mark themselves like that? Unless they didn't know each other... but that makes no sense, right?"

"Perhaps the hired hands were not picked from the same group. Perhaps it was a set of individuals and they used the armbands to identify allies. Otherwise this is the insignia of a new upcoming organization. The armbands themselves are simply blue cloths, nothing special about them at all. Not even markings. Edgar, would you please display one for the group?"

"It is my opinion that we can potentially learn much from the men we encountered inside the tent. Was one captured for interrogation? Or were all of them killed?"

"Is it possible that the attack against the Aethling was meant to fail?" Lyrika asks. "Maybe she's the mastermind. It would look suspicious of she was the only one who wasn't attacked."

"I had thought of that as well. It would also explain how quickly she seemed to want us out of town with the free stays at various inns in these lands. There is also the matter of the lockdown, but that was likely protocol. I could see wanting to ascend in power, but why attack other nations? And why all of them? For now, like the count, I will give the benefit of the doubt. We do not have nearly enough evidence to accuse anyone, much less the ruler of a nation."

"I agree. What struck me as odd was that the guards disappeared without us hearing any signal or something that was to indicate an attack on the city. And I don't think the performances were that loud... but as you say too, there's only circumstantial evidence leading back to her, and plenty of other explanations that could be just as correct."

"Our investigation is far from over. Until nightfall, we must busy ourselves as much as possible. I think there are questions I should have asked the Tulcanis official, however I feel I have bothered him enough for one day. If he is still here tomorrow, then perhaps I can speak to him. But I say again, if a culprit was captured we should question him. The few I personally came across....won't be talking anytime soon."

Aramae gives a tiny brief shudder at the memory of the two having their heads lopped off right in front of them, as well as the man who's stomach was disintegrated by his own magic.

"Would it be wise to take the armbands with us on our investigations? If this is their identification, it may get us access we might not have otherwise. But yes, the bridge sounds good. We need to take what leads we can."

"Of course, we are keeping the armbands. One of them at least. However, it is very likely that whoever sent those men knows the attack in the tent has failed. Meaning that the armbands may be worthless now."

“Alright then, I figure it’s best for us to stick together for now, what do you think?” Oryxis was pleased with the sense of direction they seemed to be getting.

"I see no reason why we shouldn't."

Aramae had said with a smile.

”Hells yes! We are really coming together as a group! I’ve been thinking about a name for us. What do you think about ‘Enlightenment Division, Gangs And Robbery’. Have you been  victim of a robbery or gangrelated activity?  Contact the Enlightenment Division, Gangs And Robbery, we’ll help you out! What do you think?” 

“anyway. Do we want to continue to investigate the Count today? He seemed to have quite powerful magic and he did not seem very scared when the attack started.  

Aramae just chuckles and shakes his head.

"Oh, silly Edgar. We are not going to advertise ourselves as a thieving gang. As to the count, I imagine he is back in Schirit right now. We currently have nothing that outright suggests he had anything to do with the attack. Just mildly suspicious behavior. We will need significantly more evidence before we can even entertain the thought of formally accusing him."