Mina comes to a guess with Butchs help, "So this Marquis just might not even be a Marquis. If he is, he is under constraint by the other two. Then what is their game with marrying to Goatshearers daughter? Are they brigands vying for wealth, land or title?"
Mina looks to her partymates, and ponders. She comes to an inner decision and chats back with Butch, "I think I may have enough info for our mutual friend, but I am also thinking of staying a bit longer as to make our ruse more believable. I'll keep the apron for now."
Mina then goes over to the table with Jeeal and Ja'laron, and clues them in on the situation she's found herself and the Mercenary in. Then she tells them it is up to them if they would like to stay for a bit longer or to travel to the ranch to meet up with the others and tell Thomas of the goings on at the Inn.
Carnosus looked at Tomas and got up. He looked at the kids. "Sorry kids, I have got to go, try not to get in trouble ok?" He walked over to Tomas. "So what exactly are we doing Tomas? And um, sorry about disappearing for a while there, I had to take my mind off of...recent events." He looked at the new elf of the group. "Hello there, my name is Carnosus Darnok. And you are?"
AT THE INN
Mina decides to spend some time in the tavern. Jeaal and Ja'laron agree to stay with her and the loud snoring coming from Ceza Feuro sounds like an agreement too. After some time spent in chats and thoughts, a lonely figure comes down the stairs. Mina recognizes the fat merchant that was courting krusten: Mr Murno. The man bows politely at the Druid, showing to have recognized her, and sits at a nearby table waiting for his breakfast.
IN THE WOODS NEAR THE RANCH
Krusten tries to understand what attracted Abigail's attention but keeping a safe distance in case of tricks. She sees that the merchant's daughter is kneeling on the corpse of a young deer. From her experience with animals in the farm of her uncle, Krusten can easily tell that is a very young specimen: not more than 5 or 6 months old. Something caught Abigail's attention that is intently examining the beast's neck but Krusten can't tell what it is from where she is. Once again, Abigail motions to get closer, in a more impatient way this time.
ON THE ROAD
With a refreshed Carnosus Darnok added to its ranks, the group resumes the journey back to the grove. Is easy to find the way now that you know it and, with the empty carts not representing too much of a hindrance, the party reach the ditch in not more than a couple of hours. You lay down the footbridge to cross over the ditch and easily find the spot in which the dead commoners were. The bodies are still there and they look untouched. Carnosus suggests that the ditch not only kept the boars inside but also kept wild dogs and other scavengers outside.
Helped by the stable grooms, you load the bodies on the two carts and prepare yourself to get back to the village. You almost reached the bridge to cross out of the grove when Carnosus and Tomas stop suddenly. They both heard the sound of dry leaves and branches stepped over coming from the woods to the east.
Out of Character: I need the spells MaryJaen memorized this morning: the old list is not good anymore...
Edited: Bruconero on 22nd Jul, 2013 - 4:36am
Mina turns her back more to Murno so he cannot see she is still wearing the apron. She tries to take it off without him noticing.
(Out of Character: I'm guessing that would be a [Dexterity] check since slight of hand is a rouge thing)
After she takes the apron off, she shoves it in a bag on her belt and goes over to Butch again. Once there she asks him, "Does that man live here or something? He's always here when I've come. How does he do his job as a merchant?"
MariJaen turns to Carnosus with a sad and sympathetic sort of smile,remembering that this man seemed to be Anntreen's lover. MariJaen feels a pang of sadness as she remembers her first friend. "I am MariJaen Catormany, I am pleased to meet you." Not wanting to bring up sad memories of Anntreens sudden leaving she tries to keep a reassuring smile on her face and tries to make pleasant conversation with the group as they continue to the grove. A sadness for the loss of life falls over MariJaen as she helps load the bodies, she walks in silent contemplation as they start to return to the ranch. MariJaen almost doesn't notice Tomas's and Carnosus sudden stop, But as she becomes aware of their actions she stops to look around and listen.
Out of Character: :Spells
Level 0: Detect Magic, Light, Mending
Level 1 : Cure Light Wounds, Doom, Sanctuary
Search Roll(1d20)+4:1,+4 Total:5
Listen Roll(1d20)+6: 15,+6 Total:21
Spot Roll(1d20)+6: 16,+6 Total:22
Krusten positions herself closer but in such a way that it will be difficult for Abigail to sprig an attack. She tries to spot what she is up to while saying, "Why are we wasting time once again? Confess your doings or we finish it here."
Tomas is solemn and quiet the whole time. He points at what needs to be done rather than make noise.
He is quiet until he hears the sound of movement.
Tomas raises an arm and whispers "Shh, something there." He points eastward, raising his shield and quietly and slowly moving towards the source.
Carnosus gets his bow ready and knocks an arrow on the string, he follows Tomas and raises his bow slowly, he is slightly to the left of Tomas so that if he has to shoot, he won't be as likely to hit his friend. The young ranger was shaking a bit.