Day 16: Flamerule 21

Fencing the Goods

Returning to the oustskirts of Bryn Shander, you bury the ore and the black ice under the snow.  Just to be safe, Fhai and Inverna will stay nearby, while you head into town.  You head first to the Northlook, to find Hruna and renogotiate your deal.  You feign ignorance about the black ice and she, sensing your ruse, becomes incensed.

"The deal was to bring back the chest!  I never said anything about opening it!" She yells over the din of the tavern.

Doubling down on your gambit, you offer her the iron in exchange for gold.  In a huff, she leaves the tavern without a word.  You have a feeling you'll be seeing her again.

You seek out Raaf, who recently returned to the Fancy Compass.  Telling him the situation, he takes you back to the Northlook to meet with Scramsax, the tavern's owner.
 
Scramsax, in turn, suggests you meet with Tethion Choak, a regular of the tavern who seems to be the man to talk to when something or someone needs to move in or out of the walls without the guard's knowledge.  

Scramsax

Tethion Choak

Tethion doesn't blink at the prospect of smuggling contraband into town, even after you tell him what it is.

"No problem.  I'll do it... for half."

After further clarification, you realize he wants half of the haul of black ice.  With few other options you agree to the deal.

"Follow me."

Tethion takes you outside the Northlook Gate and introduces you to a barrel of a guard called Fatwhad, introducing you as "new friends."

"Show me where it is,"  Grimmel commands.

Walking to back to where an impatient Fhai and Inverna wait, Fatwhad and Tethion take notice of where the goods are buried, but do not approach or touch anything.

"Very good. No need for you to do anything more. We'll arrange everything.  You can pick up your half at an abandoned place called Battlehammer Brickworks, a little west of the Northlook.  It will be a day, or two, or ten.  Best to check back in a tenday to avoid unwanted aggravation.  Make sure you do, because on day eleven, it will be gone."  

The five of you walk back through the gates hauling the iron.  After you sell the ore to Garn at Blackiron Blades and dole out shares of gold, you head with Fhai back to the stables to collect your stored wares.  Raaf heads back to the bookstore for the night, with plans to meet you in the morning.  The two of you and Inverna go to Geldenstag's Rest for the night.  You'll head out for Easthaven in the morning.

Fatwhad Grimmel