Afternoon
--
Balthur shakes his head, winded. "I uh... I doubt it. But it depends on the value of what you stole. You know, I can't believe you stole something when we were there," he looks at you with a disappointed expression. "It's the surest way to get yourself sent to prison."

Spork starts chuckling to himself out of the blue. At Balthur's expression, he laughs and says: "I say I do not need weapon to do to our elf friend what I do to last prisoner. Chieftain never ask, but I let last prisoner go!" he breaks into another laugh, bending over wheezing. "Such idiot. You do good talking, elf..." he trails off, realising he doesn't know your name.

If Newt is in town, all that means is you're going to have to find him. A message may have been easier after all in such a big city as the Crossroads.

"Are we wandering straight up to the main entrance, or are we sneaking in?" Balthur asks, looking uncertain of himself - but mostly exhausted.

Dawn
--
"They've seen a lot, for creatures so young," Numbat nods. "Now that Crimson is your familiar, she'll stay with you - but it's different for Emberpaw. He belongs with his own kind." He looks slightly wistful at that.

He shakes his head. "Nevermind. I reckon you'll get us all through in one piece, Asteria," he says cheerily. "I'll manage with that faith. It's kept me going through harder times than these, I can tell you."

He then recounts the time when he was out on the lavaplains back in his home territories, looking for phoenix eggs. He wasn't paying attention to the time, and night had fallen before he got back home. Lost and panicking, he just kept up the hope that he would find home once more - which he did, when he saw the glow of a lava flow which marked his way back.

He seems happier for getting a chance to tell his story - he's quite good at it too, and gets you with a couple of dramatic pauses and sudden outbursts.

Evening
--
There's no shame in some detective work in solving a mystery. Sitting on the floor in front of the box doesn't reveal anything to you. You may have to ask Rythia after all.

The room is pretty bare save the bed and its cabinet with the Mary-Poppins vase of infinite flowers. You open one of the two drawers in the cabinet and find fresh linen, which smells of lavender. It's a decently soft material, and the drawer is better than out in the open.

Alternatively you could put the egg on the bed with a nest of blankets. It feels cool in your hands - it must have been left on its own in the thin satchel for too long.

You take inventory. Nothing appears to be out of place, but you have so many belongings it would be hard to tell if you had lost something.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=220#2192 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 8/19/2021 at 2:32 PM Dawn -- "They've seen a lot, for creatures so young," Numbat nods. "Now that Crimson is your familiar, she'll stay with you - but it's different for Emberpaw. He belongs with his own kind." He looks slightly wistful at that. He shakes his head. "Nevermind. I reckon you'll get us all through in one piece, Asteria," he says cheerily. "I'll manage with that faith. It's kept me going through harder times than these, I can tell you." He then recounts the time when he was out on the lavaplains back in his home territories, looking for phoenix eggs. He wasn't paying attention to the time, and night had fallen before he got back home. Lost and panicking, he just kept up the hope that he would find home once more - which he did, when he saw the glow of a lava flow which marked his way back. He seems happier for getting a chance to tell his story - he's quite good at it too, and gets you with a couple of dramatic pauses and sudden outbursts.

"Do you miss your family," Asteria asks Numbat knowing the look all to well, "I hope that they take Emberpaw back and that we might be able to visit once in a while. Yes I've learned that hope is a powerful thing to."

Having the same look in her eyes she wonders if Kiki and Mim are alright and she wondered if Kiki would try to follow her trail. It was Kiki after all who had told her take this trip while Mim begged Asteria to stay. Asteria remembered when Kiki taught her how to track and the many many failed attempts before Asteria finally figured out how. Both sisters had been so happy that day. Trying to distract herself from those thoughs she asks Numbat if he has any more stories he would be willing to share.

"Its just hir dye, i think. Shouldnt be too big of a deal." Nicote shrugs. "If theres more i foegot about, well, i can always pay it back sometime. As for getting in, probably the main entrance. If somehow thw wnwmy catches up, well, they wont exactly be welcome through the front door will they."

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=74910&page=210#2091 Author: Falconetti Time Posted: 7/15/2021 at 1:30 PM Afternoon -- At this point, he probably just wouldn't have enough breath to argue against it anyway. "Nah, give me a minute..." he wheezes. "I ate this morning." He takes a little while before sitting up, taking a moment to preen his feathers after asking: "What now?"

"Well, we could continue going forward until nightfall, then camp for the night if we don't make it there by then," I say, while placing a hand on my chin before letting it fall to my side. "If your wings are too tired, let's not fly though. Not saying that you're not a great flier, but dropping from the sky is rather unfavorable."

Dawn
--
He nods sadly. "I haven't seen them for a very long time. I doubt they would want to see me."

He shoots you a grin. "I've already told one story today - I don't like to tell too many in one sitting. Ask me again another time. We've got to get some rest right now, anyway."

He bids you good night, then realises and corrects himself before retiring to his tent.

Afternoon
--
"True enough," Balthur agrees.

There are four main entrances to the Crossroads, for each direction the Adventurer's Road goes in. You all make your way to the nearest - the Southern Gate.

You're met by a trio of guards - an orc, a centaur and an elf who hangs back from the other pair. He has a scroll which he reads as you approach.

"Halt," the orc commands. She peers at each of you in turn. Her gaze settles squarely on you. "We've been instructed to look out for a dangerous criminal. State your names, please."

The others look toward you. It seems you're the nominated speaker, now.

(Yeh no worries, he'll turn up in a minute)

Evening
--
By the time you settle the egg in the blanket-nest, it has warmed up again.

It'd never hurt to ask.

As you step down the stairs you can see that Rythia's cafe outdoor seating area is empty, the chairs tidied away on top of the tables. Entering the lower floor of the Turvy Turnip, you can see a few patrons still lingering at the bar being served drinks by Rythia behind the counter. She appears to have finished some story; the gathered centaurs, elves and a lone goblin begin chuckling.

"Right, now off with you lot - I've got to close up shop," she says with a grin, taking empty tankards. "See you again tomorrow."

They bid her farewell and filter out, squeezing past you as they head for the door.