Kevin's Watch

Irian looked over at her escort.
He really is a big innocent himself, she thought.
She reached over and gently touched his gauntlet, while smiling softly up at him.

"Yes, my friend. I agree. If we can protect the innocent then we must, regardless of payment to do so. But, I have no intent on returning home, for now. So we do need to keep finances in mind on some scale, as I sincerely doubt father will send more coinage my way until I do return."

She turned to the other elf. "milady. I wondered as well at Xavier's suggestion for bait. Although replying to my statement about not using a comrade for bait by saying that I then had no interest in being such leads me to suspect which one of us he had in mind. But, I admit. He is difficult to read, and may just have been dead pan pulling both of our legs.

"I am glad you have decided to trust me in the matter of the weretiger, at least.

"However, I can not agree to the idea of holding a town ransom with the threat of releasing a danger to them. I think it is a moot point anyway. I don't believe we could control a lycanthrope once caught, if we catch it. I know not what causes the change in those who shape shift and become violent at the full moon. But if it is an affliction, I have never heard of a cure.

"You," she said turning back to Xavier. "So far I detect no falsehood in you. And humor helps lighten many a situation. But step softly. I think neither one of the two 'elf maidens' found this particular ribbing very funny.

"Brother," turning her attention to Charn, "I truly doubt a pit trap will work at all for this beast." Turning back to her escort, "Vargon, I wish I knew more, but I don't. I fear that when in animal form, maybe the beast retains its humanoid intelligence. But I do not know that."

Addressing the entire group, "We have yet to hear an opinion from Roark here, but otherwise we seem in agreement to pursue this. Shall we seek out the sheriff then?"

Caamora listened to Irian's words, smarting a little that she was being so misunderstood. Caamora's efforts were being misconstrued by the rest of the party. Can't they see that I am trying to protect their interests? To give them some options? But, she let it pass with a roll of her eyes. Just let it go, Caam. I just hope I don't have to say 'I told you so.'

Instead, Caamora said, "Despite whether it was a joke or not, I am well prepared to be the bait if that is indeed the trap we choose to pursue. I am the most physically apt to do it. And I do not fear death."

"For now, I will take my leave of you and seek peace in the forest for reflection and mediation. I seem to be rubbing everyone the wrong way and my inexperience with the world outside the monastery is showing."

She bowed respectfully and began to walk away. Then, she stopped, turned and addressed the group. "I will consider it an honor to help bring down this beast for your safety and the safety of the townspeople, if you still want my help. I will return in no more than 24 hours to this same spot and I will adhere to any trap you agree upon."

With that, she turned and left.

You're now all, apart from Caamora, standing in the mayor's waiting room, discussing whether or not to take the job offered by the mayor.

You seem to have come to something of a concensus that you'll accept the mission and then go to see the sheriff to get more information.

If anyone objects to this course of action then please let me know.

Irian sadly watched the other woman walk away. Caamora seemed disappointed in the party in some way. Irian hoped she would keep her pledge to return.

Turning back to the others, she decided a decision needed to be made. "Are we agreed to accept this offer as it stands? If so, who wishes to go back inside," and she nodded her head back towards the office doors, "and inform the Mayor?"

Brother Charn responds intently, voice lowered, "This creature needs be slain, to protect the village. It is right to do so - no matter what bounty be on its head."

His voice gains strength "It best be that we all take part in the quest, to serve the Light, to earn the glory of a deed well done, but also to build honor - so that others in need be drawn to us."

He blinks and looks at the others. "Let us accept the quest, find the sherriff, and lay plans. Any be against this course?"

"I speak for myself, although I suspect my shadow here," with a grin towards Vargon, "will agree to follow my course for now."

Pointing a finger at each of the others in turn, she cries out. "Let us begin!"

And with that, Irian strides to the Mayor's Office and gently knocks on the door.

Brother Charn smiles, and before he steps to follow Irian, he looks expectantly at the rest of the party.

With a wry shrug, Xavier nodded, and followed the party back into the office.

The mayor looks up as you enter the office and says

"I assume, since you're back, that you've decided to accept the mission.

If that is the case, I suggest you go and speak to the sheriff. He has experience fighting the beast and may be able to give you information to help defeat it.

He's currently under treatment for his injuries at the apothecary. My assistant will lead you there if you'd like to go."

We would indeed.

Please lead on.

Vargon was waiting near Irian for the assistant...
He was nervous while thinking at the story told by the Major.

The sherif and his guards weren't able to stop the beast. The beast was a shape changer... so it must be similar to human or maybe another humanoid race... How can they defeat the beast having so few information?

He hoped that the sheriff could help them, but he wasn't sure...

As the assistant led them out of the office, this time Irian decided to stay towards the rear of the group. She was still weighing thoughts on how one could track a lycanthrope, and wanted some space to think.

Having maintained a long silence during the bewildering flurry of numbers and aspersions that had made up the negotiations with the mayor, Roark decided to speak now matters had returned to areas more in his realm of experience: killing things.

"Yes, we should speak to the one who's been fighting this creature so far. If nothing else, he might be able to suggest things that aren't worth trying."

Roark frowned a little at Xavier.

"Perhaps a little more discretion would be wise if we're going to question anyone. I understand your distrust - and share it - but I think people tend to be more helpful if they don't know you don't trust them."

His thoughts given, he shrugged the matter away.

"So, we're looking for a wounded sheriff at an apothecary..."

One step at a time. Deal with the difficult stuff when it arrives.

"Ah, a fair point my large friend." He grinned. "I've often been accused of talking to much...I should follow better your example."

He bowed.

Another shrug.

"Some would consider my example a bad one."

A touch of a smile, though he'd been told the expression didn't suit his features.

"It be agreed, then. Off to question the sheriff."

On the way out the door, he pauses as something occurs to him.

"How to let Caamora know of our decision? She said she be coming back here..."?

"We can return to meet her in 24 hours. Or one of us can. Or we can simply leave a message to inform her where to meet us." He looked around at the rest of the party.

"First let us gather what information we can from this sheriff...then we will be better able to make further plans."

Vargon took his place near Irian.

"let's go"

Brother Charn follows the assistant's retinue once more - this time in search of the apothecary, to find the still-recovering sheriff.

The mayor's assistant takes you to the apothecary.

Inside, there's a robed man bumbling around. The mayor's assistant addresses him:

"Roger, if you're not too busy and the sheriff is able to speak, could this group have a word with him? They're adventurers here to sort out the tiger!"

The man in the robe replies "certainly. The sheriff is much better now, and I'm sure he'll be happy to help anyone who's here to help with the tiger!"

What questions do you want to ask of the sheriff, and of Roger the apothecary?