Reunion at the Stumbling Squirrel

To summarize: After drying off and having their wounds tended to by Varel, Orthos and Laurie traveled to Corcoran to reunite the child (whose name, they discovered, was Clementine) with her family, whereupon they learned that Bill’s son was “eated up” by a large snake. Meanwhile, the group at the hut was reunited with Womblie, who had followed them subsequent to his victory over the “yuan-ti.”

In the morning, they invited Varel to accompany them to Freybourne for delivery of the blue metallic cube to Lord Virgis “Deviltamer” Grimrune at the College of High Summoning, planning to meet up with Laurie along the way, as she had stayed the night in Corcoran.

Hobart accompanied Laurie to inform Bill of the sad news regarding his son. As one would expect, the man was distraught beyond reason, and he cursed the adventurers for failing in their promise.

Laurie was picking at her breakfast at the Stumbling Squirrel when she was rejoined by her companions, minus Womblie and Varel (and Wolfie, of course), who waited on the outskirts of town. As they talked and briefed one another on recent developments, some commotion could be heard outside.

In strode a small contingent of four Imperial Soldiers, followed by Bill. “There they are,” he said. “That one there” (he indicated Mercurio) “said ‘e was among ‘Is Excellency’s finest.”

“Thank you,” their captain said. “You may go. In fact, all patrons are excused while we speak with these adventurers.” The tavern quickly emptied, leaving the party alone with the soldiers.

The captain pulled up a chair and sat down beside them. “His Excelleny’s finest? I dare say, I think not. Surely you are aware of the penalties for posing as Imperial personnel?”