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[howandwhy99]

Less than half a candlemark later, however, more visitors were at the door. This time Father Ben greeted several dour looking watchguard. “Release the criminals within!” one commanded. Ben told him he had no criminals, but only a few good men who he gave holy sanctuary too. The watchguard did not look happy at this. Father Ben brought his face closer to the peephole and summoned all his priestly splendor. “Tomorrow morning I will seek audience with Lord Radcliffe and straighten this affair out. If you feel the need to pound on my door, or heaven forbid, burst open this temple that is your business. I will not answer. Dawn is but a few short hours away and we all know how our Lordship likes to sleep late. Perhaps you will explain the damages to the temple when I go to wake him?”

Ben shut back the peephole and retired to bed. When dawn arrived he decided it would be best to rouse his wards early. He hoped for more coherent answers.

Father Ben & Hamfast refugees
Father Benedict sat down in private with the leaders of the refugee group and questioned them about why they were in town. He was looking for any information about what was going on outside of the Keep.

Tom, the mayor, and Sam told Ben about Dram and his father. About how they were imprisoned on trumped up charges for loitering or dereliction of duty at the other smithy. About the goblins increasing in number and eventually taking over the town for the most part. About how the Smith and the Sheriff and at first the Mayor (who also seemed very repentant) sold the weapons to the army for use in the war. They also told him how Dram returned and the shiny dwarf and how they fled to Outpost Bayer at Capt. Darius suggestion.

Father Benedict then asked about any illegal activities the group may have committed en route to the Keep. He tried not to alarm them.

None. They spent the night at the Outpost and then pushed on to the Keep in the morning. Darius said to tell Father Ben they were on their way to Holmfaust before going to Harling.

Satisfied with the answers from the group so far he told the refugees to lock the door and let no one in the temple while he was away. He then traveled with the guard outside the door to speak with Lord Radcliffe about a number of issues. He requested a private meeting, if possible.

Audience was granted. Ratcliffe seemed a little upset though.

Father Ben asked why the men in his temple were wanted as criminals.

Lord Ratcliffe:“The sheriff from Hamfest sent word that the refugees are in fact escaped prisoners. That they placed him in irons so they could make good their escape.”

“Also, the Outpost Bayer had a letter with Captain Darius’ writing.” (Ratcliffe handed it to Ben)

Ben remembered Lord Ratcliff could not read. Scanning over the letter he saw it was in Darius’s dwarven influenced script. It was addressed to an unnamed Sergeant at Outpost Bear and described what the refugees had already told Ben. How the village of Hamfast had been taken over by goblins and more besides. It also carried instructions on feeding and housing the thirty men the letter was sent with. The recipient was to then to escort them here to Keep Margrave. Ben reflected there was not nearly thirty Hamfastites back at the temple. He wondered what had become of the rest. Folding the letter again, Father Benedict explained to Lord Ratcliffe the details of the treachery in Hamfast.