2. Beregost

Immediately after they get out, Stella turns to Deiter. "Did you see any other smiths in there? Or the wizard?" Her stary form begins to fade into her normal skin and clothing.

Dieter starts piling the bodies on the street. People will know what happens when they threaten them and Beregost.

"The wizard is dead by my bow. I saw another smith but he was dead." dieter will draw a map in the dirt if they want to recover the body.

Stella's heart sinks. "Are you sure? The smith might be alive...We could still get him!" She turns to Taerom, then back to the house.

They could still save him. She had spells to deflect the heat, and she could turn into a bear! She starts back inside unless someone stops her.

"No Stella he was.. very dead… like really dead"

Stella stops, hesitantly, as her stary form finishes fading away to her normal features. Dieter probably knew death when he saw it. He was all too familiar. She nods.

"I'll get the horses," she says after a moment, still assuming they planned to leave as soon as possible. She still didn't like the plan, but she wouldn't oppose Dieter or Aiwë, especially not at this point. Even if Aiwë had learned something from the remaining swordsman, the horses could be in trouble. Stella hoped they were still in the stable, unharmed. If the stables had caught fire, she hoped they were able to escape.

Dabner's eyes dart all around, everywhere except for Aiwe's gaze. "Everything? Uh, that could take a while." His eyes flick to his captor's face and he flinches. Or not. Fine! I'm a mercenary. Sword-for-hire. It's actually a pretty prestigious group, you might have heard of us. The Black Talons?"

There are shouts coming from the street, and the jangle of armor. The swordsman glances in that direction. "Please, I can tell you more, but not if the Flaming Fist hang me!"

"If they don’t hang you I will! Talk now and I we can give you whatever protection we can." Dieter grabs him by the scruff and kicks the back of his knee knocking him down in front of Aiwë.

Dabner cries out in pain as his knees fold. "Tazok's in charge! Big guy, rumor is he's half-ogre or something. He's been paying us to behave like bandits, out in the Wood of Sharp Teeth! I got picked and paid extra to do whatever Tranzig - the mage - said to do." He hangs his head. "Bah, just kill me now then. I prefer the sword to a hanging, and either one is better than what Taurgosz or Tazok will do to me."

A score of Flaming Fist mercenaries comes round the razed smithy. Officer Vai is at their head. "Hold there!" she calls out. "What has happened this night? Why in Helm's name is blood being shed in Beregost!"

Stella returns to see the Flaming Fist mercenaries. She tries to shy away and stay out of their line of sight and just listen in. Should she create her cloud of fog now? If they really were against them too, this could be bad...but...well...it didn't seem like these killers were the same as the Fists. Was Dieter wrong?

Aiwë firmly moves Dieter away from Dabner.

"Officer Vai." Her manner shifts and brightness returns to her eyes. "This man and his fellows came after us." She looks to him.

"Dabner, tell us why you were sent after us, and why collateral damage was acceptable."

Dieter takes a step back

…………. I might have to apologize

Officer Vai inclines her head politely to Aiwe, and the hint of a smile gives her stoic expression some warmth. "Aiwë Blacksheaf. I hoped you and your companions would find your way north again." She cocks her head toward Dieter. "Your man-at-arms is a bit flighty. I merely wanted to give my regards and, perhaps, offer a job."

The smile vanishes as she looks down at Dabner. "Where have you lot not found assassins after you?" She crosses her arms with a clank of metal. "Speak, murderer."

Dieter looks around to see if Gor is with the fists

Dabner, surrounded by the party and the Flaming Fist soldiers, takes a moment to find his voice. "I don't have more answers for you. I'm just a grunt, not even worth the notice of one such as Tranzig. Ask the mage." He looks around. "Where is he?"

"I…I remember I have someone waiting for me, could I be excused?" Dieter hands his sword and javelins to anyone that will hold them as a symbol of good will. If he is let go he runs off to the alley he left Gor in.