"Can't waste any." Ryo explains as he grabs the woman's arrows and put them in his own quiver. "Anyone interested in three silvers?" He waves his hand holding the coins before pocketing them himself. He tosses some gauze to Ryota, "we're here already. Why don't we keep going? There would probably be better place to rest in the village."

Ryota ties off his own arm injury.  There is a time for magical healing, and a time for blades and bandages... 

Thank you Ryo!  Come, let us hasten forth... to the village ho!

The twisting road continues next to the wheat field for half an hour. After a couple bends, you see the village of Selpt ahead. There are no walls surrounding the couple dozen buildings. From the distance you can see that one is clearly a temple, and the one with boxes piled up near the door must be the trading post. There are houses on both sides of the road, and you would believe that the houses where here first.

As you draw near, you notice a child playing with three cats in the dirt just outside a house. She's a dark haired human, probably six or seven years old. From inside the house you can hear barking and a banging noise, probably a hammer, but all windows and doors are closed. The child turns to you "would you help me get inside? my parents don't want to play with me" she asks in a sad tone.

Neglected fields, parents locking themselves in and their children out?  What madness is this?

My dear Lady, of course we will help you.  My name is Ryota, what's yours?  

He removes a guantlet, kneels down, and extends his bare hand towards the girl for her to examine.

Persuasion if needed 24

"Hello, sir. My name is Skora and my favourite colour ir red" the girl seems shy, she stands while looking at Ryota's hand and clutcles a big tomcat closer to her "this is Mr. Bitey, he's the best cat in the world." The other two cats purr as they rub against her legs. "my mum and daddy are inside, but they don't want to play with me and Mr. Bitey no more."

"Skora, why do your parents lock you outside? Especially if they don't want you to play with the cat?" Freyja looks around to see if there are any adults about the town. Perception: 24

This house is the first one you have come across. The rest of the village is a little further ahead. From your position you can see a couple people walking around the other buildings. The hammering noise from inside Skora's house continues.

Pleased to meet you, Skora, and your furry friends also.  Blue is my favourite colour, red is good, too.  Would you like our help bringing your parents out?

Ryota reaches his hand out to the cats so as to introduce himself to them.

"What are your parents doing in there?" Ryo asks, referring to the hammering noises coming out of the house behind the little girl, "are they blacksmiths?"

Also insight check while Ryota is talking to Skora: 5

Skora replies at Freyja "I don't know, we have a dog, maybe the dog doesn't like the cats" she thinks a little at Ryota's words "I guess blue is also a nice colour. Please tell my parents to come out and play, they are not listening to me." Then turns to Ryo "I don't know about that noise, but they work in the farm."

She's looking calm now and happily hugs Mr. Bitey. The other two cats sniff at you and go back behind her.

Let's see what we can do.  Let's turn to the house, take a deep breath, and call out - <one hand on her head casting Thaumaturgy Loud Voice> OLLIE OLLIE OTTENFREE! COME OUT COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE! 

Freyja covers her ears, not expecting the sudden loudness of Ryota's voice. "That should bring them out, eh?"

"Yeah that works..." Ryo says, one eye closed and rubbing his ear that took the blunt of Ryota's amplified voice, "...or we could also knock."

Ryota smiles beatifically...I suppose, knocking on the door would be a suitable option - for a paladin...

The hammering noise stops, and the door opens a few inches before a chain on the inside stops it. "What's going on?" a quivering voice calls from inside. Skora lights up at the sound "that's my dad!" she loudly whispers to you, then turns towards the house "can I come in now? I want to play with you and the cats love you." The voice from inside calls back in a frustrated tone "I've told you before, those damn cats will not set a foot inside, get rid of them!"

Well hello there, I'm Ryota.  Skora is a lovely girl, and she misses you both something fierce.  Would you be willing to compromise and stay on the porch while my friends and I stay in the yard?  We'll still be able to talk face to face...

A man's face peeks from the slit that's already open in the front doot. "Ryota? I don't know anyone by that name, maybe you can get rid of those cats." He squints at you to get a better look "I don't know what's going on, but everyone is acting strange and talking about cats all the time. The darned animals make me sneeze all the time!"

Skora looks at the door "but daaad, the Mr. Bitey is here to protect us, he only wants to help..."

"Hold on, you say everyone is talking about cats? What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know what happened. Some people have always had cats, but since last week almost everyone has one. And they say I should get one too! Go into the city and you'll see what I mean." The voice replies from inside. "I don't want no cat in my house!"

"This is... curious." Freyja will bend over to pick up one of the cats, inspecting it for anything... abnormal.

Investigation or Nature (the mod is the same): 18