Jade:   The Lady Thief musically laughed once more.  This time it was at the Mind-Bender.  The dark-haired Cut Purse lyrically quipped "My aren't we impatient... or could it just be eagerness?" She smiled at the Psion's manner and questions.  The Rogue rose from the bed, and sauntered to the door in response to Albrecht's order.  At the question from the Forest Priestess, Jade paused, and leaned close to Denora, softly telling her "You know the ways of the forest, and I the way of the city.  You are in the city where other Cut-Purses dwell."  Before she could say more, Blue-eyed Light-Finger nodded at the new instructions from Albrecht, and flipped the hood of her cloak up, vanishing from sight.  The door opened and closed on its own.

Deputy:  "Jade." warned Albrecht with a shake of his head, and jerked his head toward the door, meaningfully telling her "Take the Father's place at the door.  Let him tell our 'Saviors' how we'll be helping one another."  The Axe-Wielder nodded to the Priest, telling him "Coric, it's your show." and motioned toward Denora and Nicolo.  To Denora, Albrecht shook his head at her request, and answered "No, we don't have time to get him.  We're here under a ruse.  We can't stay up here much longer.  It will appear suspicious.  In fact, Jade, check the area.  We're being too complacent."

Father Coric:  Once Jade left through the door, the Priest sat down where the Rogue had been, and with the answer given by Albrecht, hesitantly explained "Alright, um, we're willng to help you, but... before we do, you need to help us with some troubles of our own."  The red-haired Priest clasped his hands together to keep from gesturing with them, and thoughtfully began "We've uncovered an insidious plot which reaches beyond Nimbortan.  Short version - we're being invaded.  Are you familiar with 'Slinks'?"  Coric studied the party member looking for acknowledgments or headshakes from them, before continuing.

Father Coric:  At Nicolo's answer, the young Priest glanced toward Albrecht, then back to the Mind Bender, asking "You've heard of Slinks?  Okay, let's hear it.  What do you think you know of them?" and waited expectantly for the answer.

Father Coric:  After hearing what the Psion knew about Slinks, the Servant of Ilmater nodded at the information, but then shook his head, saying "Interesting, but we are not talking about the same thing.  The Slinks of which I speak appear to be some androgynous, humanoid sub-speice, devoid of any hair, pale blue skin, don't speak, don't eat, and seem unaffected by cold."  Coric pretty accurately described the pair of icy fellows who pushing the water wheel when they first entered town. 

The auburn-haired Priest continued with his explanation, saying "They first started showing up nearly a year ago.  They were imported into Nimbortan as 'servants'.  But it quickly became apparent, that they were no more than slaves.  The High Council of Northending had long ago outlawed slavery, and protested the situation with the Town Council.  It got them no where, because the Town Council is primarily made up of the richest landowners on which the Earthblood is mined.  They control the commodity which is essential to life in Empyrea, and being quite wealthy, provides them the leverage to disregard the High Council."

Ilmater's Priest glanced at the party members to ensure they understood the gist of what he was telling them, before continuing, "This did not sit well with the High Council in Northending, and is how I became involved.  Short version - Wealthy landowners, lots of gold in Earthblood mining, always looking for the next fashionable item on which to spend their gold and impress their fellow social elites equated to a big demand for Slinks.  There are now hundreds of Slinks in Nimbortan, and severe town laws to protect them from abuse.  The origin of the Slinks and their peculiar behavior during religious ceremonies and invocations raised our suspicions.  With the assistance of the Deputy and High Cleric MacKurian, we pierced the conspiracy surrounding the Slinks.  They are Zombies under the control of the owners.  Someone is disguising Zombies as Slinks, and bringing them in from the ancient ruins of the Castle Hydell to the east.  We want you to go there, and shut down their operation."  Priest glanced at Albrecht, and then back to Nicolo and Denora for their answer.

Father Coric:  When the Mind Bender consented to take on the mission, the good Priest felt reassured.  Things were going better than expected.  But the feeling was short lived.  The Druidess was clearly confused about what they wanted.  Coric shook his head at the parts which she was mistaken about.  Once Denora fell silent, the auburn haired Father began to tell her, "You misunderstand, Denora... ." and stopped as Albrecht interrupted. 

Deputy:  Sitting up once more from his reclining position, the one-eyed Warrior sharply interject, "Look!  We'll take care of the Slinks in Nimbortan.  You travel to Castle Hydell, and try to stop whomever is making these cursed things.  You got that?" and cast his single blue eye sternly at each of them to make sure both understood what the plan was.

Barkeep:  A rapid knock sounded on the door, which then opened to admit the Innkeeper.  Snow powdered his shoulders and melted in his hair.  Through the door, Trelane pulled a serving cart into the room.  The door closed on its own.  The scents of food filled the room.  The Barkeep turned to the others, and spoke "Albrecht, it is time.  You must head back down stairs, or else you risk suspicion.  Come here is your food.  I must return downstairs.  Where is Jade?" He looked around the room for her.

Jade:   Having closed the door unnoticed by Innkeeper, the Lady Thief had remained silent, waiting for the right time to rejoin the talks underway.  As soon as Trelane asked regarding her whereabouts, Jade flipped back the hood of her cloak, and turned visible to group in the room.  The blue-eyed Rogue musically chimed in "I'm here Trelane.  And it is time to go, Albrecht.  Time for you to go down with your Thief."

Deputy:  Rising from the bed, Albrecht stood, and answered both Nicolo and Denora's question, sternly saying "The less you are seen the better.  The less we are seen together the better.  Father Coric is your contact from this point onward.  Jade, disguise time."  The Deputy moved to the door, pulling out a pair of manacles for the Thief.

Barkeep:  In response to Denora's statement, Trelane simply reported "I already took some food out to your friend when I checked on him.  He is asleep in the stall with the horses.  The white one would not let me check on him.  So I left it there, and told the stablemaster to tell him that his comrades were in room 13.  You've already paid."  The Innkeeper nodded at what Albrecht said about not being seen, and pointing at an etched, deep-red leather bound book on the nightstand, earnestly added "Take and keep the Primer of Ilmater with you on your journeys.  It will help protect you."

Father Coric:  Nodding his agreement with the wisdom the other co-conspirators provided, the Priest of Ilmater calmly advised "Denora, let us meet tomorrow at Ilmater's Temple, when all of you are refreshed and prepared.  Trelane can give you directions, and if you need resupply, get whatever you need." and prepared to leave with the others. 

Jade:  Taking the cues from Albrecht, the Lady Thief produced a broad brimmed had, and clasping the brim in her mouth, bound up her hair on top of her head.  She then placed the hat over hair and head, and then slid an ice-pick like hairpin through both to hold it in place.  As soon as the hat was set in place, the image of the Rogue completely altered into someone different.  She took the manacles from Albrecht, and closed them about her wrists, though there was no click heard of them having locked.  With a wink at Denora and a kiss toward Tallacan, the new Jade liltingly joked "Off to jail I go.  Watch your trinkets, Priestess."