Arnir (and anyone else if they have followed), you are granted entry into the small courtyard of the tower keep. A small barracks dominates most of the grounds and a few hay-filled dummies serve as cross-bow target practice for a few soldiers. Also nearby is a small stable, that smells as if it needs a good cleaning, which has a few mules and light horses munching hay inside. Crates, barrels and sacks sit on wooden carts against the keep wall and two more guards stand before the thick double doors that lead into the tower keep itself.
Your weapons are confiscated by the guards in the gate house and they note that you will have them again when you leave. They are more relaxed with ranged weapons allowing you to still hold them, but ammunition is taken and they require you to un-string any bows or crossbows.
You are shown entry into the keep's main hall and then ushered into a side waiting room. The room is filled with a threadbare carpet on the cold stone floor, some simple wooden furniture and a small table with a pitcher of water and a few goblets. One of the guards asks you to be patient and heads off in search of the mage.
After an hour or so of waiting, a thin human man with sandy blond hair and a gaunt face walks into the room. He is dressed simply in a well-made robe and a small broach signalling his position in the keep is displayed on his chest. Behind him is a tall, broad half-elf clothed in a bright red tunic with gold piping. A half cape hangs from his shoulders and a finely made longsword hangs from a belt. The robed man smiles and says: "My apologies for keeping you waiting, but it is a busy morning here. We have heard the most interesting news about a band of adventurers that have just come from the fire forest, and now we find you at our very door. Ah, my manners. My name is Thomas Argole of Glaskeel and I serve as one of the Baron's advisors. The man behind me is Sir Delphin of the Order of the Radiant Heart." turning to the knight he adds, "Sir Delphin, would you be so kind as to head out and locate the rest of the members of our visitor's party? The Baron is interested in meeting them." The knight bows and heads out of the keep and into the grounds. Turning back to Arnir, he adds: "Well, the guard says you're looking for me. You have the look of a wizard about you. If so, why don't you follow me up to my office and we can discuss matters of the arcane. I have not had a conversation with a colleague in some time. The meeting with the Baron can wait until Sir Delphin returns with your friends."
