Iron Crisis Part 2 (IC)

[Amnestic]

Vala concedes her barely-argued position with a pleasant smile. If Flaming Fist help is the decision, then she supports it - though mostly in the form of moral support, she doesn't have any special connections or knowledge that can help. It takes a bit of time to polish off breakfast, with Vala eating a significant portion for her figure ("Well we're going to be hiking aren't we?"). She cleans up after you, grabbing the now emptied plates and trays and evacuating them to the kitchen while you grab your gear and finish any final preparations needed before you head out.

The cloudy morning is still drizzling, but only ever so slightly, and in the distance you can see shafts of sun beaming through the cloud cover splitting the heavens open. A lukewarm wind filled with cool raindrops promises clear weather before long. Your walk over to the guardpost goes smoothly, with no one bothering you save for a few very early setup stalls hawking their wares - meats, cloths, carved wooden trinket and toys mostly. The guardpost itself is missing the crucial component you were seeking in Aintas. Two familiar faces, for better or worse, are there instead. "Already buggered off south ain't he?" One of the two less-than-brilliant guards offers by way of explanation for his absence. "Escortin' that exile of his, came in right and proper and how do you do with his big success story, 'I've cracked the case!'" The second mocks. "Cracked his case right into a 3 day cross country trip guarding a ruddy messenger, as if that's a good way to spend our time." "Got important guardin' work to be doing don't we?" Their words are betrayed, somewhat, by the two of them sat at a table playing cards. They do, however, produce an unsealed envelope - not opened, it looks like it never had a seal applied at all - and hand it over. "Captain did say to give you this if you showed up, would have our hides if we messed that up. Aintas had her sort it out for ya."

Inside the envelope is a single piece of folded paper, revealing itself to be a letter of sorts. The penmanship is impeccable, with clear readability while still having an aesthetic style. At the bottom of the paper is a wax seal pressed onto the paper, the symbol contained therein being that of Beregost itself.

Spoiler: Letter

Show

To whom it may concern,

Know that the bearers of this document are the individuals who were crucial in the cleansing of the Nashkel Mines. Their prowess in
combat has been recognised as an asset to Beregost, and to Baldur's Gate as a whole. Likewise they have shown skill with
regards to information gathering and investigation, albeit not without missteps at times. Though rash in their approach it is my belief
that their worth cannot be overlooked in these trying times. I attest to their abilities and put my name forward in granting them
support should they require it. Those of fair standing and of a lawful inclination should offer support in kind, so that they might continue
to aid us in when we are in need.

In honour,
Guard Captain Jessa Vai, Beregost Town Guard.

A second, smaller piece of paper flutters out of the envelope, and on it are just written the words
Had her fluff it up a bit. Hope it helps.

-Aintas

Letter in hand you get a chance to share any parting words, pleasant or otherwise, with your favourite two guards before returning to the street. Your last business concluded in Beregost for now you head out, slipping out the town's north road. Vala seems in a good mood, alternating between quietly humming, whistling and singing under her breath so as not to be too distracting but also quite clearly incapable of containing the song in her heart despite (or possibly because of) the wet weather. There's more traffic on the roads than you saw between Beregost and Nashkel, though it may feel a bit anemic still, and those you do see give your eclectic group a wide berth. It's some time - almost up to the ideal 'break point' to leave the roads to head east - before you do finally spot a Flaming Fist patrol - three soldiers, all wearing full plate armour from the top of their helmets to the toes of their boots. All three are clutching polearms, with crossbows slung across their backs. You hear the wet, squishy clanking of the metal before they get close, as the ground is still a bit sodden. The sun has broken through the cloud cover though, and your clothes should start drying off before long. The Flaming Fists stop a short distance away - within crossbow range but outside of melee - and one calls out "Hold! I am a member of the Flaming Fist. I require you to identify yourselves." Identical wording to the Flaming Fist member you met on the road to Nashkel, but the voice might be slightly different. The faces of the soldiers are obscured beneath their helmet faceplates.