[color=lightslategray][h3]On Gnok Island...[/h3]

 The ship anchors at the end of the longest dock in the port. Men start to shift provisions and gear from the ships cargo and begin to unload it onto the docks. Several of the local workers greet them and start to help them with the task. The captain of the ship, a large man, exits the ship, followed by another man who is shrouded in a dark cloak, make their way down the wooden planks to meet with the dock quarter master. He also goes out to meet them as they approach.

[h3]Guillan, 8:32AM[/h3]

      The sun is now well into the air, and the swelter causes the humidity to rise greatly, forming a light fog in the harbor. The rains from the previous days did much to aid this along. The mist would surely dissipate before too long, but the humidity would fearfully cling on for quite some time, It was shaping up to be an unbearably muggy day. This also caused those still stifled from drink and slumber to rise whether they wanted to or not. They rose to roost like sluggish zombies and one could almost hear the cumulative groaning as they all put themselves on the shortest path to finding something to subdue that brick that was seemingly tied to their foreheads...
      It was still far too early for music or the drums, but once the lot had one or two to rewet that whistle it'd going again before too long. The masses had begun to move, and the festivities would continue. The King's Guard were already patrolling, and rousing the streets free of those slumbering there and they generally seemed to enjoy the work. Prodding them with the ends of their halberds and pike poles, or a good firm kick to the kidneys looked to be the most preferred, and most efficient ways to go about it. Shop keepers and Pub owners were thrilled by this of course. Whatever got their patrons back to shedding coin in their establishments was welcomed whole heartedly. Shutters were opened and their hearths had already been lit for some time and the broth was warm and ready to serve. Pitchers were poured and horns were filled. The smell of broth and cooked eggs, blood sausages and bacon, filled the streets with their savory aromas. It was common practice for a lot of taverns to offer a spot of breakfast for free, as long as they were buying more drink. Savvy pubs and taverns knew that patrons could stand to buy far more drink on a full stomach than not.
      The Faded Lantern offered breakfast to everyone, though most patrons were not afforded the same feast that Lord Vargas had set forth for the party. The regular breakfast was much more modest, consisting of quails eggs, a few links, and some porridge or a bit of bread, and was limited to those who had purchased a room. It was also good practice to offer a free bit of breakfast to the King's Guard...

      Sheriff Gerranti had returned with four of his guards and some of the serving staff were quick to intercept them as they entered. Sheri was the senior most staff next to Percival so she spoke to greet them. She was well versed in this sort of thing.

      [color=6ecff6]"Ah, sheriff Gerranti, to what do we owe the pleasure?"[/color] she said, forwarding a most generous smile and welcoming demeanor.

      [color=6ecff6]"Your Lord Vargas, is he in?"[/color] Gerranti spoke, his words sharp and to the point.

      [color=6ecff6]"Oh, sorry but no, he's off on errands since early this morn..."[/color] Sheri was doing her best to deflect. [color=6ecff6]"there's no trouble, I hope?"[/color] she said, raising her brow inquisitively.

      [color=6ecff6]"Just a bit of a loose end from yesterday I'm hoping he can help me with is all."[/color] he said.

      [color=6ecff6]"Lord Vargas has been out since very early. I'm sure he will be back soon if you'd like to wait for him. Perhaps a spot of breakfast while you fine fellows wait for him?"[/color] Sheri said, waving another server to come over and seat them. She already had a basket of freshly baked sweet breads and a pitcher of black water ready, and the wafting aroma was intended to entice.

      [color=6ecff6]"Well now, I suppose I have worked up a bit of an appetite."[/color] He said, as the basket of breads caught his attention. [color=6ecff6]"You  know what? I think I'll take you up on that. Lord Vargas sure is a man of renowned hospitality.  Hamish, why don't you and John go and have a look about the place and make sure that Lord Vargas's patrons are behaving themselves until he returns. Here, take a bit of bread and a horn with you before the other two eat it all gone."[/color]

      The two nodded and helped themselves to a bit of the bread as the servant poured them a horn of the coffee. The other two and Gerranti took to seating themselves a few booths away from the front door, with a good clean line of sight to it, and the kitchen door in the back.  The two other guards took to surveying the tavern and making rounds. Sheri was beginning to fret slightly.

      [color=6ecff6]"Indeed, then I hope you find it to your enjoyment, and may it fill your bellies sufficiently. I will tell Lord Vargas of your kind compliments."[/color] she said, curtsying as she did.

      [color=6ecff6]"Oh, not if I see him first, dear."[/color] Gerranti smiled slyly as he spoke.

      Sheri took her leave from the sheriff and did not hasten her step until she was around the corner and out of sight. She then took to the stairs as quick as she could to notify the others and find Percival, bounding them all in just three leaps. This would have to happen in Vargas's absence, she thought. Damn her luck. She crashed through the threshold clumsily with a fear that had solidified in her eyes, and in her voice..

      [color=6ecff6]"Has anyone seen Percy?"[/color] she clamored, "[color=6ecff6]Sheriff Gerranti is back with his guards and no doubt looking for Neh'miah!"[/color] blurting the words out as fast as she could, having to remind herself mid sentence to keep her voice down.

      Panic was now setting in, and things were beginning to look grim...[/color]