AT THE RANCH
"I....I....I don't know", murmurs the butler taking a step backwards. He is obviously frightened by Krusten's new attitude and doesn't do anything to hide it. "I'm only worried about old Goatshearer", he says, "That girl knows more than we can imagine but...killing her...would be dangerous. She is not as defenseless as she might seem: I saw her training in the backyard, she is skilled at fencing, that devil!". He looks at Krusten with frustration on his face.
Tomas searches for the wooden box between the things stuffed on the wooden hand-cart, left by the workers on the rear of the common house, next to the kitchen. He slides the thin cover, revealing the content of the small box. Inside, under a bundle of rolled blank parchments, there are a small pen, two vials of ink and some documents. Looks like Berghost was the one in charge of keeping track of payments and salaries as well as noting and checking the supplies needed by the soldiers. Between the deserter's calculations and lists, Tomas finds a note written by someone else. It is signed by Laurel and seems to be the paper that was delivered along with the chest full of silver: it only states the content of the tiny chest and its destination. The chest itself, however, is not between the objects stored on the cart.
AT THE INN
Butch agrees and gives to Mina the key to that same room used by the girls during their first night at the inn and then used by Abigail for their meeting, few hours before. Is the last door on the right, he remembers to the druid. "I will keep the soup warm, come back when you are ready", he concludes.
Ceza Feuro goes outside to breath some fresh air. The morning is cold and damp. A light rain is still falling on Lowmeadow and the main street looks empty. On the other side of the street, the Town Watch headquarters are silent and the Emporium, a few yards down the road, is still closed. Grey clouds cover the sky announcing another rainy and unpleasant winter day.
Krusten [lets] the butler go and then seeks to form a plan against Abigail, but how to do it she wonders. She also is hesitant to tell the rest about it because they take way too long to act on things and she would fare better alone. Still she feels obligated. She looks for the first party member and relays what she has [learned] telling them to pass it on to the others while she goes to approach Abigail. She looks for Abigail telling her she made an amazing discovery and will like to show her it.
Mina nods her thanks to Butch and turns to look to her party mates. Seeing they're both still quite asleep, she sighs in disbelief. She looks around the room noticing many who stayed the night are still asleep, and one who is not present any longer. She remembers the entrance door opening as she was conversing with Butch.
Mina walks to the door and opens it, and walks through, closing it behind her quietly. Seeing Ceza standing under the overhang of the entrance in the morning drizzle, she says, "You, Ceza. Mercenary, you have stumbled upon a chance with me. I need someone to watch my back and the others are still slumbering. I've acquired a job that involves a bit of snooping on someone, and I need to have backup to be nonchalantly in the hallway by the door to the room I'll be entering as a barmaid. You'd only need to come into play if you hear yelling or a struggle. Do this with me, and I will accept you despite your past. I'll also share some of the coin for the job. What say you?"
Tomas sits by the cart and adds these items to his list, which takes some time to handwrite neatly, including the content of the tiny chest which he assumes someone is holding onto. Then he heads off to find and pay the two workers that assisted last night, stating his intent to Ferrin, MariJaen and Tomlin asking them to stay with the cart. At the same time he is looking for a rider to deliver an urgent message, asking around.
MariJaen nods to Tomas indicating she will listen to his instructions and stay by the cart. She looks To Tomlin and Ferrin ( if Ferrin is out side with us and not inside still eating breakfast) And tries to make small talk while gathering more information as to the current situation their in. " What will be the next step for us in clearing your name Tomlin?"
MariJaen looks to Ferrin and asks " How is it such a charming child has come to be here amongst us? Is one of your parents here?" Looking at Ferrin tenderly with concern for his well being.
OUT OF GAME: I'm playing MariJaen in character as she has never met a Halfling before. She is assuming that Ferrin is a child.
When Krusten sees Tomas she spills the latest,
"Alright preacher man here is the low down, Abigail is in some sort of conspiracy according to the butler and my hunch. Now before you decide to say some prayers and burn some incense over this I'm going to 'take care of it', this is just so you're in the know."
Krusten then walks off and proceeds to Abigail's room.
"Well, Mr Goarsherer didn't seem as concerned with an infiltrator as before. If you need help just shout, I'll be around," Tomas replies as he continues with his searches.