Arrival in Oakenspell

The rest of the walk to Oakenspell was as uneventful as it could be. A large sign soon greeted Falael and Grace reading Welcome To Oakenspell.

"This looks cheery," Grace said, taking in the many red and yellow banners adorning the buildings, which were almost completely covered in snow.

"Yes, it does, doesn't it? Well, we probably shouldn't keep hanging around, unless you want us to catch our death out here," Falael responded, stepping past the sign and into the city boundaries.

"Yeah, your right. Where is the nearest bar?"

"Over here." The pair turned a corner, revealing The Slippery River Bar. The stairs leading up to the front door creaked almost as much as the door did, and Falael and Grace entered an almost silent bar.

"Excuse me," Grace said, walking up to the counter. I feel like all of them are watching me, she thought.

"What do you want?" A squat, ugly looking fellow peered over the towering mass of wood.

"Do you have a room available? My travelling companion and I will need one tonight." She pleaded, growing more and more uncomfortable. Falael noticed this and his hand crept towards the hilt of his sword.

"We have one room available, and there will be no need to draw your blade Elfling," the bartender shot Falael a look that the Elf took to mean as if you start trouble in my bar, you will regret it. The bartender handed Grace the key, and the two went upstairs without another word.

"I don't know about you, but I don't like the feeling I got from the other patrons," Grace said as soon as the door was closed.

"I don't either, so from now on be very careful," Falael went around the room and make sure that everything was as it should be.

Back down in the bar, Uzohr Tovis had walked in and straight up to the counter.

"Tell me, Esolru Imegee, how is the plan going?" Uzohr asked.

"The trap is set, sir, and the prey are in the pen," the bartender replied, cleaning glasses and tidying up the counter. Uzohr smiled slyly, pleased with that result.

"Very good. Attention everyone! The next round is on me!" Cheers erupted from the other patrons, all of which were members of The Grey Tears, at the thought of a free drink.

"Good news, everything appears to be as it should," Falael announced as he got off his knees after looking under the bed for anything that may kill them in the night.

"That's a relief. Now, how do we go about obtaining what we came here for? After all, we didn't come here for a vacation." Grace reasoned, sitting down on one of the small beds.

"Where do you suggest we start?"

"Answering a question with question is not helpful Falael, especially when you are the deputy," Grace retorted. "I think that the best place to start would be the owner of this fine establishment. If Oakenspell is anything like Penrith, then the owner will know all the town gossip."

"I agree. But first, food. We won't get far if we go on empty stomachs," Falael opened the door. "You stay here, I will bring food." Grace protested. "No arguments! I am the one who knows how to handle a sword, and I stand a much better chance of coming back alive." Grace quietened down and Falael left, being sure to lock the door behind him. He wasn't trying to be mean or vindictive, but he wasn't sure what Grace would do if left to her own devices in an unfamiliar city.

The patrons in the bar had resumed the conversations that they had before the travellers had come in. Esolru motioned for a fellow bartender to come and takeover the bar while he went on break. He walked out of the bar as if he was going for a cigarette like he normally did, but not this time. This time he had a very important task to do. Walking the snow-laden streets, he approached the small cottage that housed the leader of The Grey Tears. Esolru knocked on the door, and a young maid answered.

"Tell your master that the mice are in the cage," the maid nodded and closed the door. Esolru returned to the bar to serve his next customer, who was Falael.

"Can I help you? Where is your friend?"

"Safe," Falael said. "Can I please have two dinners?"

"Certainly, anything else?"

"Yes. Do you know anything about this?" Falael pulled out the teardrop shaped stone, showing the bartender. Esolru acted as if he was confused, after all. He didn't want to tip off he knew what the jewel meant.

"No, but I do know who may know who can help you," Falael quirked his eyebrow at this.

"Oh, and who might this be?" Falael asked, sliding the jewel back into his pocket.