[@POOHEAD189][@TyrannosaursRex][@The Wyrm][@Blueskin][@Penny][@Dusty][@BangoSkank]


Sebastian Johan Bock (no relation to Johan Sebastian Bock) could barely contain himself, his avian-like form nearly shaking with all this talk of 'Cloven Ones', of red crows and malarial children, and the arrival of not one but [b]two[/b] stunted figures that honestly made the Chamberlains flesh crawl.

"Cloven ones?" Scoffed the hunched over Reiklander, "bloody Beastmen?! Oh give me a rest," he turned his eyes to the Priestess, "with all due respect to you, Sister, I would not take the word of your fellow clergyman here; we have had patrols sifting the woodlands here abouts, hundreds of armed men, and have found [i]nothing[/i] to even suggest such a thing."

After his eyes nearly rolling back into his own head, Sebastian assumed that there was no-one else coming, looking from the towering knight to the Sigmarite to the Halfling, he gave a heavy sigh and gestured for the group to follow him into the town hall.

It truly was a marvellous structure - one of the greatest in this part of the Reikland in fact! - and beginning with entering through the thick oaken doors, flanked by two halberd-bearing militiamen dressed in flamboyant hat, shining breastplate and with a shortsword as a sidearm, this could clearly be seen.

The entry hall was a high-ceiling space supported by stout beams, the clock-housing visible if one were to look back toward the door, the entire hall formed of sturdy Reikwald timber.

Directly before the group was a wide hall with a central stairway, the steps covered in a fine layer of velvet and wide enough for a carriage to rumble up the stairs if needed, moving to a second floor wherein were housed the mayors quarters and rooms for visiting diplomats - in one of these rooms was where poor little Johan even now tossed and turned in delirium.

Slowly but surely they ascended onward and upwards, moving along the landing past further members of the militia - sturdy men and boys of the township - until they reached a door at the farthest end of the landing.

"Mind your manners, keep any questions short."

With the top of his staff the chamberlain knocked thrice upon the door, before I voice bid them enter.


[hr]


Truly the mayors chambers were a cornucopia of 'stuff' - eyes immediatly drawn toward the tapestries showing Imperial victories, successful invasions, and even one of a scenic Mootland scene where little Halfling children dipped their hairy feet in the Aver river - the furniture obviously carved by the greatest carpenters in this part of the Reikwald at least, and a painting of Schartenfelds very first mayor was in pride of place above the desk at the far end of the room.

Yet above even that painting, shining just as much as it had when it was first forged by Dwarfish smiths of Karak Ziflin, was an Imperial zweihander of peerless quality; forged for the usage of the current mayor, a former veteran Greatsword of the Reikland state army, it had seen action from Kislev to Tilea and back again, taken many lives, and now sat as peacefully as a babe-in-arms in some chamber in some backwater town.

"Welcome," announced Dietrich van Schlofel, turning to look at the group and gesturing to the five or so seats in front of his desk - a little cramped maybe, but enough space for all - his one empty socket and lopsided smile instantly showing the hulk of a man that had presented himself at the [i]Maw[/i] yesterday, "please take a seat, my friend."

"I have had some time to organise myself, and so here are a couple of answers to your questions of yesterday."

Though not too much shorter in his seated position, Dietrich - formerly Johan - dressed in his mayoral uniform, flared pantaloons and all, the chain of office clearly causing no discomfort about his neck, unrolled a map of the local area and began to slowly move one thick digit along various roads.

"There have been several raids on travelling groups, some pilgrims, and at least three caravans. They usually come along this road... here. Thus far there have been no bodies of either assailant or captive, nor have my many militia patrols found anything so far."

There was a small splutter from Sebastian, but he did little more than glare at a bookshelf in the corner.

"I am not going to pretend that we can offer much help - although you will get whatever supplies and materials you request and we can provide, as well as a wagon should you wish it - I will give you as detailed a map as I may."

Leaning back a little in his chair, Dietrich opened his arms and then clasped his hands back together after a moment, leaning forward toward the group.

"Now, before I send you on your way, is there anything I can do for you?"