The Ward's Guard

Ros spends some time in the Kitchen, cleaning his plate and utensils before he leaves and makes his way towards his room.

The man paced in an Inn's kitchen as the cooks milled about around him. He knew that the Inn's master didn't appreciate him bothering the staff, but he needed to be soothed, and nothing soothed his feelings quite like being surrounded by a kitchen at work. Something about this setting seemed to speak peace to him. The chaos of sounds as different people tried to accomplished their tasks, the ringing of metal utensils against their pots accompanied by the crackling of the cooking fire, the chorus of voices as people conversed in an attempt to work together to create something better. The smells of cooking foods covered it all with a promise of a great reward for all of the effort. Such a strange place to feel peace, and yet, he did. Except for this morning. She said that she would be back after a quick look, and that the information that she would bring would be essential to his plans, the man could only hope that she has learned to keep up the habit of being right. He turned around and began pacing again. Why couldn't everyone be more punctual, like a cook who knew just when to add the next ingredient to get the texture and flavor just right. Just as his doubts started to take hold of his mind, someone entered through the rear door. When the man looked up, much to his delight, it wasn't another servant, but the woman with a fox's ears. She looked as if she had practically ran all the way here. The man smiled as he spoke. "I was beginning to worry that you had gone and ruined all of my expectations." The fox eared woman caught her breath before speaking. "Things have gotten a bit more complicated." As the woman explained all that she saw and heard, the man began to frown, and then his brow started to furrow. She seemed to have kept to the habit of being right. "This sister, Chorale, could be quite dangerous to us. Until I understand her more, I believe that more observation is required. I will talk with Bandar about getting this sorted out. If she dies at the hand of her brother, I want you there to see if it changes him. If she survives, then let's hope that she helps us deal with Concerto. If she joins Concerto, we will need to act fast." The foxed eared woman nodded, taking this as a dismissal. She made her way out of the back door again, donning her hooded cloak as a disguise. The man left the kitchen, the time for waiting was over, he needed to move, he had to capitalize on what happened last night. Today was indeed going to be quite a busy day as the man had previously thought.

Jane smiled at Val before she left the two, chastising herself for nearly getting caught. When had she gotten so foolhardy? It seemed only luck had saved her. She went straight towards the settlement, there was no time to waste. She needed to get back now, so much was happening already.

Jane nodded. "There are caves down there, and please, call me Valle."

"I'm sure that there are more than a few hiding places down in those caves that I mentioned, anyone could be hiding down there, I just need to get back to town. My gramps needs me." Jane ignores the comment.

Jane adopted a suspicious look after this comment. "I could ask you the same question traveller. This isn't the first lockdown, nor will it be the last."

"I heard something running in the forest, but I didn't check it out. I've learned it's best to steer away from those things. I haven't seen a kid called that name. Val, you believe me, don't you?"

She looks confused. "Choral? Kid? By the Crystal Mother, what on earth are you talking about? I don't believe that I've even heard who this Choral is."

Jane is taken aback, looking quite startled. "Kid? What are you talking about?"

Jane paused for less than a second before speaking, trying to get a way out. "I find that there are many pieces of the wild that I can't find in the settlement. Besides, my old Gramps needs me to visit him, so I can't stay out here for long. Although I really must go, it has been a pleasure meeting you traveller, and good to see you again Val."

Jane turns and recognizes Val. She started to speak without missing a beat. "Oh Val, it's good to see you! You see, the people in the settlement prefer to call me Jane, they don't like calling me Valle for some odd reason. Out here, I prefer Valle."

Jane points down to where she came from. "I just came from one down there, although I didn't see any trinkets traveller. There are two more farther down that path if you want to keep looking that way."

"Yes traveller, but I must be making my way back to town. I can point you in thee right direction if you wish."

"I know a few traveller, but be careful, I've run into many Amal's out here. I guess I'm just lucky enough to be here to tell the tale."

Jane responded quickly. "They call me Vulles. Come traveller, it's not safe out on the ridge!"

Jane lowered herself to the ground, following the source of the sounds. She approached a ledge where she saw the fire-eyed mercenary moving across the ridgeline. She considered her options and her orders. She covered her ears and tried her best to look like a weary traveller. She then stood up and entered the Fire-eye's view. "Ho there, Traveller! careful around these parts!"

Jane ran through the forest, using her amal senses to hear the ground around her for vibrations. she sensed something. She stopped to feel more precisely whatever was causing them. It felt like people, two people, and they were close.

Jane follows Concerto, she then splits off to head back to the town, disguising herself to appear more human to infiltrate the settlement.

Jane looks to Concerto. "I could return to the settlement, assess the reactions of those who she associated with."

Jane perks up at this, and looks thoughtful.

Jane moves to a position where she can both watch Chorale, and where she can hear any vibrations from outside.

Jane turned to look at Chorale, she acted as if she had just noticed her, and nodded. "As you wish, Concerto."

Jane looks at Kade suspiciously. "If it's what Concerto wills, then yes. I follow him, and he hasn't vouched for you."