After chatting with the group for a few minutes Vardrin advises that you'll have to travel to Arabel to meet Lord Hawklin in person, bidding each other good night you find accommodation for the night after agreeing to meet Vardrin at first light.
Waking early in the morning you meet Vardrin at the gates, mounting up on the horses that he's requisitioned, you bid farewell to Captain Stern and spend approx the next seven hours in the saddle, an hour after noon you get your first glance at Arabel.
~~~~
Even from this distance it's clear to see the signs the invasion has left on the bustling trade city, most of the walls appear to be newly rebuilt and strengthen and it's easy to see that large sections of the city was destroyed and are in the process of being rebuilt.
As you get closer you can see that the 'Caravan City' lives up to it's name, streams of caravans are both entering and leaving the city, while many more wend their way thru the city heading for the large sections of warehouse throughout Arabel.
After about 40 minutes of travelling you arrive at the busy gate, the guards after glancing at Vardrin and his royal writ allow you to enter with relative ease, leading the way thru the city Vardrin heads in a northerly direction heading towards the wealthiest part of the city.
In the shadows of the imposing Citadel (Barracks for the Army of the East) is the Arabellan Palace.
The two lend a contrast in taste, the Citadel is a solid defensible working mans fortress while the palace appears to be taken right out of a fairy book, this fancy slim-towered nobles castle, with it's elegant, sweeping turrets and conical roofs on the five towered palace, betrays it's showy design.
Vardrin leads you all to a nearby well appointed manor which seems to be a balance of the two larger structures, gaining access to the manor you are lead to the visitors room where you're allowed to briefly freshen up before being escorted (sans weapons) to a gazebo in the beautiful gardens.
As you approach you get your first glance at Lord Falzo Hawklin. Dressed impeccable in black Lord Hawklin is a stunningly handsome man in his early thirties, standing up as you approach you can see that Lord Hawklin is a tall well built human with dark hair and eyes.
Giving you all a charming smile as you approach he greets you all warmly, shaking hands with the men you notice that his grip is both firm and strong and he has the calloused hands of a swordsman or common labourer, bowing elegantly to the three ladies he greets both Leonara and Glandred in the customary fashion for their races.
Bidding you all to have a seat he fusses for a moment making sure that you're all comfortable and have been offered something to eat and drink.
~~~~
Leaning back casually in his chair he looks at you each in turn in an appraising manner, speaking in a deep cultured voice "We have a little problem and we thought you might wish to help us out. If you don't mind travelling, a bit of dry air and giving some brigands a good drubbing this might be a nice outing for you"
"As you're probably aware the crown is short on man power, and we received a report three days ago, of some brigands or troublemakers north of here, near Tilverton." he grimaces as he pronounces the name.
"What used to be Tilverton, anyway. We need you to go there and get rid of the problem in whatever way you see fit, give the local area a look around , then come home. That's all there is to it. Shouldn't put you out overly much. You'll be well rewarded and all that. So are you in?"
OOC: Sorry to cut the introductions short, but I thought you might like to get into the meat of the adventure.