Erika moves to a position next to Ragnar, having overheard enough of the conversation. (OOC: Would have moved up at the same time he did but work was crazy today!)

"Ah. You must be those from that Duncan's place. I heard that those who enter get threatened for their gold or their lives before the first ale is even served, yet a bunch of silly bards slipped through your fingers. We are no silly bards. We are the thunder of the north. You will turn around and go, or you will mourn the loss of more than one so-called friend."

Intimidation 15

Outside the shop...

Areon can't see well enough into the alleys moving towards his friend. There could be more hooded figures, he can't be sure. Noticing him approaching Ragnar from behind the dwarf smirks. 

Inside the shop...

Trixi can find the source of the winds but it looking for it faces the widow and can see wants taking place outside with her companions.

Outside of the shop again...

A couple of the hooded figures back off slightly but the dwarf stands firm.

"Just to be clear," the dwarf begins again clearly rattled by Erika's threat but trying not to show it. "You won't pay for the man's funeral but you will endanger all of your friends here and on the mountain," he repeats looking from Ragnar to Erika then notices Areon approaching with an arrow nocked in his bow, "because your tight with your purse strings? We have drawn no weapons and still you persists as your friends did in the tavern with this blood letting and we're to blame? I'm...a business man here to do...business," he says moving his hands around in a distinct pattern. "I seem to think it's your last chance to pay your toll or face the consequences," he adds as Erika, Ragnar, and Areon hear whistles coming from all over the street, high and low, hidden from view.

"Ted," Trixi tagged his sleeve, "something is wrong outside, we might be needed there." She mastered enough manners to promise the gnome that they will be back in a minute, but then run outside.

"Understand this, dwarf. You have threatened mine three times. You want your toll?" She reaches into her pouch and flicks two gold coins at the dwarf, bouncing them off his chest. "The ferryman of the dead will take that fare for your friend." She looks around, making an exaggerated counting of the others. "I think I have enough coins so that each of you can cross the Styx, if you so choose."

"Take the fare and walk away. The only other business you will have will be with Ravnedronningen."

“Apologies.... Maxillian is it? It seems like some thugs are intimidating our friends outside. I’ll need to pop out there for a second, unless you know of a way to calm this down?” Ted calls back to the Gnome as he follows Trixi out the door.

As both groups seem to ready to face off meanwhile across town...

Zira is spitting mad the party has yet to return. She has the scribes stay with the pack animals and enlists the mercenaries to go with her to seek the party out. Riding from the Ravens Rest Zira turns onto the square passing the cul-de-sac of smiths to see the current events unfolding. With the three heavily armed and armored mercenaries flanking her like a coiled spring at the sight of the hooded figures in a semi circle around Ragnar and Erika she makes a hard decision.

"Protect them," Zira says looking frantically around as the mercenaries, who then begin to advance flanking the hooded thugs from 45ft away, nod and move in trying not to draw attention!

Zira then peels off riding flat out to the city watch station in tbe opposite direction not far from the square at the base of mountain gate tower barracks to raise the alarm!

Initiative: 9

Ted initiative 18

Ragnar feels the blood begin to pound through his body as he sees the hooded ones get ready to fight.

Initiative: 13. 

Quote from Killilli >>

“Apologies.... Maxillian is it? It seems like some thugs are intimidating our friends outside. I’ll need to pop out there for a second, unless you know of a way to calm this down?” Ted calls back to the Gnome as he follows Trixi out the door.

"Certainly certainly...," the gnome says as he continues to locate Ted's items to pack up.

Con Save 16  plus fey bonus of 3  

Spotting the Holbright mercenaries approach, and Zira's departure, Erika looks resolutely at the dwarf, a smile across her face. "Seems you are the one surrounded now, dwarf. It is now your last chance. Take the fare and walk away. Us of the Institute will not be cowered by your petty banditry."

Visibles 14

Invisible(s) 2 NOT TPKer, promise.

Mercenaries 11

OOC: We'll get started when everyone checks in.

The street fills with a sudden tense silence. The mercenaries if they are noticed by the gang the gang aren't given them any attention. The gang seems to be focused on Ragnar and Erika. The mercenaries are 45ft away coming from behind the gang. Areon is 45ft north of the party. Ted and Trixi are still in the shop as I said before 75ft, 15ft into the shop and 60ft from Ragnar and Erika, just behind Areon give or take 30ft.

Trixi Initiative: 16

Atop their horses Vanya, Dolan, and the third man* ride but keep a distance of the feet hauling out heavy crossbows as their horses stand firm not at all nervous for a fight.

"Looks like there's trouble. Is there trouble," Dolan asks the party or the thugs, you can't be sure, his tone almost comical. "It's far too early for trouble. I'd like at least a drink of ale this day before having to kill petty thugs who bother folk on legitimate business," he growls adding clarity to his question hanging in the air.

Holds attack; crossbow on dwarf looking at the other mercenaries to follow his lead.

"Far too early," Vanya adds sighing.

Vanya nods at Erika her crossbow raised at the goliath's back. Holds attack; crossbow

"Indeed," the third man* echoes the lazy calm sound of Vayna's tone. Holds attack; crossbow on dwarf

The thugs leader, the dark skinned dwarf, goes ridge turning his head to see the mercenaries now. There's a look of surprise on his face as if he and Dolan might know one another. It's a mystery.

"We...were still negotiating...," the dark skinned dwarf says his voice trying to sound stern as he smiles.

OOC: Realizing chat isn't 6 secs of combat possible but humor me. *I know I named the third merc but I can't find my notes at present. Google Docs ate them apparently

Ted loses round 1 to shop but has movement with a BA for MORE movement.

Ragnar is up.

Erika prepare.

Sensing the dynamic in the square has changed with the arrival of the three mounted mercenaries, Ragnar takes a breath and looks at the dwarf.

"The negotiation has come to an end," Ragnar says. "You were offered twelve pieces of gold. I assume that would cover several months of lost revenue."

Ragnar locks eyes with the goliath. As he does, his fingers grasp the handle of his battle axe and at the same time the move in a rehearsed motion. Ragnar mentally focuses on the hammer amulet around his neck, and then says "Troens sköld" in his native tongue. A shimmering field of energy surrounds Ragnar.

"Do not make more threats. It is not going to end well for you. One more threat and the offer of coins is taken back and you will owe us a fee for wasting our time this morning."

Casts Shield of Faith   on himself.

Erika places a hand on Ragnar's shoulder, a sign of solidarity between the two northern warriors.

"We have no fear in our hearts. Heltenes blod lever i våre årer." 

Cast: Heroism, 2nd level (both Erika and Ragnar)

BA: Bardic Inspiration to Ragnar (1d6)

Ygdridan/Giant:

She narrows her eyes at the dwarf. "You have fear in yours. You have been given our terms."

Reminder of initiative order:

Mercs

Ted

Ragnar

Erika

Invisible(s)

Areon

Trixi

Visibles

A series of whistles sound out as the hoods look at one another. As a black feather fletched arrow then a red fletched arrow strikes the ground between the Ygdridanian and the thugs.

"You may have won the day but watch your backs," the dwarf retorts.

Areon is up.

Trixi prepare (in shop 75ft from the party)