Morning Meeting

JP with Bandorchu, Lorem, Cindy and Winteroak

Islana thought getting help with the investigation and the ale which had warmed her, last night, would have helped her sleep but it did not do much to that effect. Once again, the nightmares came and, once again, the young woman woke up in the dark. Once she could see the sunrising she got ready and headed out.

It was very early, early enough that no one was at the practice area for the archers. She spent a little time in practice. Went back to the barracks, got into clothing that was slightly warmer but still easy to move around in and headed to meet the others.

The pub was fairly empty this early in the morning. The barkeep was getting used to seeing her in the mornings, gave her a nod for a greeting which she returned. Islana took a table in the back corner so when the others arrived they could talk with some privacy.

Jiyn walked into the Hare bleary eyed munching on a handful of dry nuts. It felt like they had not left. He smiled at the young huntress and sat next to her.

"Morning..."

Gonyaul always woke early, it was one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself; The opportunity for more life throughout your day. He had done a brief meditation, practiced the Vaux’Maonmol Aenlahc, and ate a vegetarian breakfast. Everything had been routine as normal, however, meeting up with the others was a new twist on his life.

Now, he stood outside the Drunken Hare, kept warm by his winter cloak, hesitant to go in. He took a deep breath and entered. It had to be better than last time he told himself.

And it was. Fewer people this early, practically no rowdy drunks, and only a few weird glances. He saw Jiyn and Islana and calmly walked over to them.

He bowed, smiled and sat down across from them.

Islana greeted Jiyn with a small smile and a "morning" back at him.

She gave a similar greeting to Gonyaul. It was really now to wait for Alexis.

A waitress came over and asked if they wanted to order anything. Islana ordered a tea like drink more for the warmth than the little bit of flavor it might have.

Gonyaul respectfully declined the waitress.

They did not have to wait long for Alexis to join them at their table.

Greetings were said to Alexis and not long after that the waitress returned, placing the drink in front of Islana.

Once the waitress left Islana spoke up, "So, what is the next thing we should do?" She was asking for suggestions or ideas. It was early enough to head to the logging camps or really do whatever they decided. They could probably do more than one thing if necessary.

"I'm not convinced we will get anywhere just by simply turning up with questions." Jiyn offered. "We might need to try and unearth other type of clues. Find out if what is happening now happened before." With Hendrik still missing he was quickly loosing hope they would find the man alive.

Alexis nodded, as she had thought about this too.

“The church would be in charge of burials, I assume. Maybe Islana could convene with the friar once more. I am not sure if the town guard would could keep record of past cases, but that might be an option, too. And Gonyaul, would you know some long-established citizens?”

"I can speak with the Friar." That wasn't a problem for her now that she had met the man.

Jiyn wanted to offer to go with Islana but hesitated for a heartbeat. He knew the Arbiter lived with the man. He wanted to avoid her as much as possible although it would be difficult. He sighed. "I will go with you if you'd like?"

Gonyaul did know a few individuals which had been in the settlement for a long time. Unfortunately he did not know, or necessarily have easy access to, any people in higher positions of authority that fit that criteria.

“I know few people to ask. That enough to work?”

Islana nodded at Jiyn, "I would appreciate that." She remembered their discussion last night about the Arbiter and was grateful and a little surprised that Jiyn would be willing to go with her.

Gonyaul waited his turn again and asked the group while he stood up.

“I start now? Come here back at high sun?”

“Very well. I’ll see if there are any records or the like with the town guard. Or long-established members.” Alexis said.

Gonyaul went through the plan in his head. Islana was going to the Friar and Jiyn would be accompanying her. He was glad that was not his task, or else he would have turned them down. Alexis was going to check within the town guard and records that someone of her status would have access to. Which left him to scrounge information from people that fall outside those areas. Who was someone he knew, and that would probably talk to him, who had been here a long time? It was fresh on his mind. Kane Othenguard the armorsmith they visited last night.