Lawrence awoke the next morning just as dawn broke through his window. Given the circumstances he felt himself trying to rationalize everything from the day prior— though such efforts seemed futile the longer he gazed out the window. His mind had been pushed to its breaking point a few times since he embarked on this journey to help find his companion's homelands. Normally, when he felt as though he was drowning, it was Holo who dragged him to some level of clarity. This time however, it felt different— almost felt like he may as well be dreaming while nursing a fever. Though the moment he opened his eyes and saw the mountains in the distance which helped frame the backdrop for the mining town of Phandalin, he realized it was anything but a dream. Sighing, he got up and moved toward the desk grabbing his jerkin and the coat he wore over it.

"Figured you'd be up." Holo's voice came from behind him. He turned surprised to see her half-mindedly combing her tail, based on how she was dressed she had been up for some time. "Always optimizing every bit of your time." She teased mildly as her smile showed the same amount of remorse it had the cart ride prior.

Lawrence recognized this quickly as her wanting to verbally joust. Often a way they pass time as they wait. However, Holo was more interested in trying to ease her own mind now. She barely drank much the day prior, If Lawrence were told this in passing, he would have assumed they had mistaken her for another town girl.

"Time is money after all." He responded giving a mild smile as he adjusted his coat. "And unfortunately, I have not a coin to my coffer and a Nun who fails at abstinence." He retorted only to earn a grin from Holo.

"Aye, sound like she'd be the most troubling, weren't she so beautiful were she not?" Her response being on the weaker side of her usual retorts confirmed his suspicion of why she was trying to argue with him.

"Hardly, she cannot tell the difference in coin having paid far too much for apples."

"But was it not her who made up for it in spades?"

Lawrence scoffed at her question half mockingly "As a child of God? Maybe— But as a merchant her hands are scandalous. She acted like a charlatan; her actions could have ruined the fragile trust I had made."

Holo's tail wagged amused. "Only a fool would think so little of being bested." She stood up having felt her own mood lighten now. "But in seriousness, I wonder how arduous this will be. I am not one for detours of this sort."

Lawrence sighed in defeat to that question. It was one that had struck his mind a few times during the conversation they all shared with Xenk and the thieves that had now become a close ally in this new scheme. One that this time he did not want to take part simply because there was no profit in it for him.

Holo's demeanor dared not show it outwardly, but by the flick of her tail and the way her amber eyes gave an unshaken focus gave signs to her anger. Not at him as he had deduced— She was angered by the fact she had dragged him into a mess she was a part of, even if she was chosen purely at random.

Smiling Lawrence sat beside Holo who gave a rueful smile to him as she leaned into his arm. "Although this endeavor may man you up a bit. Afterall who else will help save me from a raging monster?" she teased out though it looked as though her concern for him was genuine.

He chuckled a little as the two sat quietly. The room was cozy and from the way Holo's ears had been twitching it was only one of their new traveling partners was up.

Holo finally spoke up after the long silence "Such a disgraceful moment. A wise wolf needs comfort. So, unbecoming." She mused aloud her smile, having not left her face.

"Indeed." Lawrence agreed still humored by her demeanor "Should I assess you to ensure you are who you claim?" Holo looked at him, taken back from his response. "Afterall, anyone who knows the Wise Wolf knows her love for sweets."

"And what sweet is her favorite?" she asked, deciding to humor Lawrence's second round of arguing.

"Apples, though I heard she desires something far grander."

Holo snickered seeing how this would end. "Then perhaps we should try for some honey-pickled peaches and see if her desires change."

He lifts his hands up in mock defeat at the barbed jab at him. Holo quickly stood up as if wanting to stride in victory though as she turned to look at him. "Though I will agree with one thing. I am quite famished. Should we see what we have for a meal."

Lawrence nodded as he stood up himself. "We may be eating jerky and rye bread; I still don't have money that this accepted in this place mind you." Her face drooped disappointed but there was a hint of hard acceptance.

The two exited into a small hallway, the other rooms dimly lit by an old candle and the few traces of sunlight creaking through a shuttered window. The two moved toward the end of the hallway, finding themselves in the inn's tavern. The Barmaid looked to them as she polished her counter.

"Well, you two sure are up early." She remarked impressed "I'd think you'd about to be making your ways to the mines."

Lawarence gave her a basic smile as he looked at the quiet room. "I wanted to make sure my cart was ready before we make our way toward the next town."

The barmaid intrigued "That so, which way are you heading?" She asked the small talk seemed to be her way of waiting for the morning rush.

"Not sure yet, the man that led us here believes we have business in a city far from here." Lawrence got hesitant while he doubted, she had any ill intentions of her but in his experiences, barmaids can have very loose lips.

"Is that right? Well, if you're making your way toward Neverwinter best be ready for the comin' season I always say. Harbor may never freeze but not the same for the land." The Barmaid smiled humored by the turn of events.

Lawrence was scolding himself mentally for being too easy to read. He gave a practiced smile to her before counting "Then perhaps me and my companion should fill our bellies for the trip to come."

The barmaid nodded amused. "That Knightly fella you rode in with seemed to have the same thought paid for many meals in advance before leaving to the general goods place down the road."

A clue as to where Xenk had headed off to. Likely trying to prepare provisions. Lawrence was grateful but the thought of him being in a total stranger's debt remained unsettling. He doubts the man would expect to be repaid given he and Holo were currently his mission but he had seen what shallow generosity could lead to, both benevolent and malicious.

"You two just take a seat, I think the chief should have your stuff ready in a few minutes." The barmaid responded kindly as she went back to polishing a one of her tankards that had been on a wall rack.

The two found a nice spot set in the middle of the quiet restaurant, the peace of the air only complimented by the rustling of clasping metal in the kitchen. Holo sat across leaning in a little to make sure her thoughts remained between the two.

"This has happened far too fast even for my liking." Holo finally spoke in earnest to Lawrence.

Honesty was not one of her usual strong suits. She often hides her thoughts, at least Lawrence had guessed that ever since the night she fainted from a fever. He also tilted in concerned. "What about this worries you?" He asked.

"Most of it." She responded calmly "There is too many questions in this that hold little sense. The biggest one is why would a bunch of people be seeking the Wise Wolf over some other deity?"

Lawrence thought about it himself. Though the town of Tereo came to his mind. "Perhaps it was more than happenstance." He proposed catching the wisewolf with curiosity. "Remember our scheme in Tereo when the church forced the wheat buy back?"

Holo's ear flicked a little in thought before nodding "Aye, though I imagine that such a feat here likely be considered a novelty than a miracle." Holo responded recalling the I merely controlled the wheat and showed which was good and what was infected with, oh what was it called— Redline's Hellfire? It was child's play for someone who dwells in the wheat."

Lawrence thought on it hearing this though something else came to his mind, the snake's tunnel. Recalling the reverence the small town had for their snake god. It slowly shifted to Pasloe, the town that Holo first stowed away in his wagon.

"I have a hunch as to why this is happening to us. Though, it is safe to say this way out of my field of expertise." Lawrence said as he crossed his arms leaning back in his chair and looking at the chandelier that hung above them. As he collected his thoughts, Holo listened intently. "Perhaps gods work more differently than how the church has always claimed." His answer sounded foolish; but in his mind, there were things that made a sliver of logic in his mind. "When the church speaks of the one true god, they tend to speak of his miracles; acts of benevolence that help to grow his worship— or perhaps convince people before they decide to spill blood."

Holo scoffed at his proposition "As if something so innocuous could make sense. I swear you humans always conjure quite the tales to justify things."

"I didn't finish." He retorted poignantly "What if, by chance, the church was right about the proof of god but wrong in who did it?"

Holo gave an amused smirk "You mean to say that this world's pantheon is simply intervening? My I wonder how they would take to that." She mused aloud, finding it more fun to make sport of his theory.

"I can agree that it sounds far-fetched. However, let us suppose it's more so the rules for the divine requires something a bit more." This caught Holo mid chuckle as she started to think about it more seriously. "In a world of gods and magic, miracles are seen frequently from priests and mages. Heck, we even saw Xenk heal some of our new companions with merely his hands glowing."

Holo's face dropped the amused smile now thinking of what he suggested in her own mind. "Worship?" She murmured intensely in thought, letting Lawrence's proposed theory weigh in to her own thoughts. She likely understood where the merchant's theory came from as her mind recalled her own history. "I was the wolf god of the harvest for many year" She awknowledged with a bit of concern. "I was worshiped much like that snake god."

Lawrecne nodded though his expression showed a sign of mistrust in the predicament. "I don't fully know if what I am saying is true— I am merely working with what we know." Lawrence concluded a little. "So here is the one thing I think we should be asking: what if the time you served as the deity spirt in Pasloe had other effects on how you were perceived?"

Holo's eyes remained closed, contemplating the thought her scowl on her face showed she did not want to admit there may be something to Lawrence's convoluted implications. "A river always flows toward the sea." She muttered faintly under her breath. "It may change from the way the lands shifts, but some may alter its flow to suit themselves." She looked at him not angry or disappointed simply unsatisfied "I see your reasoning; though as much as I would hate to admit it you may be right."

Lawrence remained impassive on it as their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sliding of pewter plates laden with a half loaf of bread, fried potatoes covered in cheese and a few sausages. It was then further interrupted by the slamming of two mugs filled with frothy milk.

"Alirght you two, two meals— even put goat's milk on the house for your knight friend's generosity. Enjoy now." The bar maid chirped happily as she bowed her head a little and walked away.

Holo smirked at the spread before her with excitement. "Oh, this looks delectable." She uttered out her fangs now visible in her grin. The same could also be said for the small amount of drool coming from her lips as well. Lawrence sighed, knowing well she would not want to burden her meal with their situation so he chose to also start to eat as well.

The two were halfway through their meal when the sound of footsteps slowly creaked behind Lawrence. He turned to see both Edgin and Kira one looking well awake while the young lass clearly was dragged out of bed simply because they had a schedule to keep.

"Ah you two are up." Edgin responded. His retort was met by an indifferent glare from Holo and a more pleasant glance from Lawrence "I see Xenk is covering your meal for the day." He added.

Lawrence rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed "It's a bit hard to afford your own food and board when you lack any proper funds." He explained sheepishly.

"Yeah, Simon figured as such." Edgin sighed not from disappointment, it felt more like he just was not shocked. "I assumed much when I saw your coin chest yesterday."

"We may need to farther rely on your generosity unfortunately." Lawrence lamented "The goods in my cart are likely the only things that have any worthwhile value; unless I were to melt down the coin I currently have."

"Wouldn't do that." Edgin responded. "The moment you return you will be out of luck with your original currency." He sat down as he waived the barmaid down. "Now you said you were a merchant, right?"

Lawrence nodded "Been one for seven years now."

"Perfect!" Edgin responded excited "Then it should not be hard then. Since we are to be guarding you and your friend here, I would rather have Kira ride your wagon."

"Oh, I-I see."

"Given your skill might be good to have you learn some basic thing now that you are stuck here in Faerun now. So, Kira was going to be teaching you about the money we use here."

Lawrence smiled wearily hearing this new plan "That would be much appreciated. Once we reach Neverwinter I can sell my goods to get some money and we can start to become a little more independent."

"Exactly, I'd rather have you two be able to have a stronger chance at success." The bar maid finally arrived seeing the two "Yeah, I'll have what they are having. Kira, do you want anything different?"

"Can I get so jam for the bread?" Kira asked the barmaid.

The barmaid nodded as she flipped her tray up a little clearing some the empty mugs before walking back to place in the order.

Edgin watched as the barmaid left. His face shifted from a pleasant welcoming visage to one strictly business oriented. "Alright, so with Kira handled. I got something else that has been eating at me." He spoke much more strictly looking at the two. Kira listening curiously. "How does a merchant wind up with a harvest goddess?"

Lawrence's face relaxed a little seeing where the man's priorities seemed to be. Though a quick glance toward Holo showed she was not so easily amused. "It is a bit of a long story. Though to make it easier to explain, Holo agreed to help me make a profit as we traveled to her homeland."

"Right, this..." He struggled to recall the name though it came back to him "Yoitsu, right?" Edgin confirmed. The merchant nodded. "Then you are winding up here is certainly getting in the way of that."

"Yes." Lawrence responded somewhat frustrated. "Our journey had been anything but uneventful." He looked a bit ashamed. "Worse yet, most of our business ventures have made me barely break even in most cases."

"Hmm. If you ask me sounds like your partner is a bit of a handful." Edgin remarked disappointed.

Lawrence gave a light chuckle before wincing in pain as his companion slammed on his foot. "Not fully; besides her appetite she has more often than not got me out of trouble."

Edgin's face remained impartial though he quickly showed signs of understanding. "Well as long as she can pull her weight." He retorted almost incredulously to the two. "Regardless, once everyone is ready our next stop will be Neverwinter."

The city managed to catch the interests of Lawrence. As a merchant his mind often thought about how to make a profit. "This city." He started to speak leaning onto the table to help keep the conversation private. "What can you tell me about Neverwinter?"

Edgin leaned back, slowly breathing in and thinking on how to describe the city. "Well, one the wealthiest cities on the Sword Coast—Possibly all of Faerun even." He started off thinking about it. "Though the place has been hit with some nasty stuff over the last century. Heck, word of the restoration efforts from the volcano eruption would find its way up to my home in Ten-towns even when I was a kid."

"Volcano?" Lawrence was shocked to hear about one. He never seen one on his travels, only heard stories of them from merchants from far off lands. Monstrous mountains that would spew plumes of smoke and ash. A single eruption was strong enough to devastate a massive city, if not fully irradicate it from charts. No such mountains existed in Trenni, most the worst the nation had to deal with were drought, famine, perhaps a disease outbreak if really unfortunate.

Edgin gave a calming smile to the two "It was before my time—Twelve years, I think." Edgin responded to Lawrence's shock. "But Mount Hotenow's disaster could be seen as a blessing compared to other potential disasters, biggest one from recent memory being when the cult of the Dragon Queen tried to bring their patron to the Faerun." His eyes flashed with a tinge with fear—they were memories that caused unease for him. "Honestly, considering that, the disappearance of Elturel, and the near giant uprising. our world has been suffering a lot of insane plots." His mood darkened a little with Lawrence and Holo noting his eyes slowly shifting toward his daughter. A sign of worry about the future apparent to the two but clearly not for the oblivious Kira. "When things like this are happening, usually means the gods are getting restless."

Lawrence nodded with a bit of sympathy to his issues. Though something ate at his mind, as if he even had his own involvement. "Besides that, it sounds as though you were also involved in something there." He dared to ask, somewhat catching Holo by surprise.

Edgin nodded. "Yeah, though not for valiant reasons." His tone felt somber, while his arm moved closer to Kira. "It should not come to a surprise to you that I have not lived a fully noble life." The merchant and wolf eyed him with a unsurprised deadpan that felt almost comical. "But believe it or not, I was a Harper once"

Lawrence thought on it. He recalled the word being used the day before after they cleared up their attempted robbery. Though before either the two could ask, Edgin had already started to explain, as if predicting their question " Harpers are group of spies and agents who secretly tried to foil plots done by many bad actors who wish to control or destroy all who live on Faerun."

"Hmm, A noble rogue with a heroic heart?" She was not dismissive though found the idea humorous "But pray tell, what would make one of virtue turn to petty theft?"

Edgin seemed almost wounded by her input, a feeling Lawrence had been on the biting end of enough times to take a mild amount of pity. "I fell in love." He answered plainly no remorse or desperation, it felt almost a unsettling dance of joyous and melancholic emotions. "Of course, then we had Kira, and… my wife was killed." The explanation caught the two by surprise. He did not relent there as he continued "I got desperate. Moved to a life of stealing, with Holga and Simon joining in forming our misfit gang."

Holo seemed to study the bard's face, it looked bitter as though there was something of which he was not fond. "Didn't you mention someone else at the wagon? a Forge I believe?"

Edgin nodded. "Forge Fitzwilliams." He explained fully. "A veteran to the art of stealing and was the one that helped teach us a few tricks about the trade. He introduced us to a few different scores and became a close friend." He took a sip of his water. "But funny thing with snakes, they tend to hide their fangs until they strike. Before me and Holga were imprisoned on a heist gone wrong, I asked him to watch Kira since I was going to be arrested. To his credit, he did. But then tried to kidnap her and then held a knife to her throat when I got in the way of his treasure"

Holo nodded. Her face was impartial though the way her eyes lay on the bard showed signs of harsh judgement. "I doubt one would argue a father doing that to protect their kin would be seen as foolish. Reckless perhaps, but he fooled all of you." her expression remained indifferent a flick of her hood gave signs she sensed something. "You are trying to gloss over a part of your tale." She concluded with an almost condemnatory tone.

Edgin looked at Lawrence with a mix of disappointment and annoyance. "Gods, is she always like this?" Lawrence only gave an apologetic smile in return. Shaking his head he returned to his story. "While me and Holga rotted away in Revel's End, Forge teamed up with a red robed wizard named Sofina. While Forge was only interested in money and treasure. Sofina's ambitions were far more dangerous. She wanted to turn Neverwinter into a city of undeath using a powerful relic; that we stole for her mind you."

Lawrence listened intently though his face showed a lack of pity on the man. He could feel sorry for a man who was desperate for their kid but given the man's brains, wit and charm, he easily could have led a better life. Yet he chose crime, and it nearly cost him in numerous ways. The worst being dragging his daughter into this kind of life. Though it looked as though Edgin had noticed the almost indifferent scowl on his face as he sighed and looked directly at him as he continued.

"Look I know what happened was my doing." Edgin admitted to the two as their food finally arrived. He quickly mashed some food together while his mind tried to articulate his response. "If I could, I would have declined Forge's request to hear her out. But I was blind, a chance to revive Zia. I live with that guilt; she died because of me. I took away Kira's mother because of wanting a better life for us and when I tried to fix it…" He looked more dejected as he gave a long pause. The resolve was of a protective father and loving husband still there, moreover the guilt ate at him and would for a long time. "It just got worse."

"People do crazy things out of love minstrel." Holo finally spoke up. "Never pity yourself for trying to do right by your kin." Her tone sounded harsh though beneath it was a strange tenderness. Lawrence looked shocked by her response Normally she would have chewed anyone over their stupidity. She often viewed humans as flawed and foolish, though it seemed like she could accept his answer from him, acknowledging he was in the wrong. At least it was his prevailing theory.

Edgin sighed a little. "I think I may have darkened breakfast for us." He responded somberly looking to the two. "Sorry, when we get to Neverwinter I'll get you two the town special, think of it as a way to welcome a new business venture."

Lawrence smiled at this notion. "Careful, Holo can drink quite a bit." He teased a bit as he stuck his hand out "But I welcome this new opportunity to line our coin purses."

Edgin grinned back, reaching out with his own hand to shake on the promise. Holo simply watching the two with an amused smile she always had.

"Ms. Holo?" Holo's ears twitched as she turned to see that Kira had started to watch her. "How is it you met Mr. Lawrence?"

Holo smirked a little. "Well, I suppose I can regale you with that story while you eat little one."

"I'm fourteen." The young thief responded, disappointed in how she was being treated.

"From my perspective you are all still pups." She snarked off as she took a swig of her beverage. "But to start our story straight let me first say it started with a harvest festival."

Kira leaned in as she heard Holo's tale. Holo smiled as she spoke recalling her history in Pasloe, stowing away in Lawrence's cart and eventually their first daring business venture about coins losing purity. The longer she spoke the more Edgin seemed to be fascinated by the way she spoke. While not like a troupe's performance she was excellent at creating visuals in their mind. Emotions of happiness, sorrow, even excitement. All of this over a bunch of silver coins.

The two sat quietly when Holo concluded her tale. She took a sip of water looking at them. "Tis a grand story, one I would happily trade for any number of days I spent alone in the fields of wheat I called home. Many of our adventures, I would say, are worth mere decades of that for a measly hour. She mused aloud stretching her arms.

Edgin nodded "I can tell that much." His mind started to think a bit about her story. His eyes widened as he had an idea crossed them. "Hang on, that first town, Pasloe. You said you was their harvest spirt?"

Holo gave a moment's blank stare. Eventually she gave a response unsure what the bard was scheming. "A goddess of harvest" she corrected though she held a stern amount of indifference to the title "Though I am not that grand." Holo added on with her usual ambivalence.

"And you think it may have been the reason for why you were pulled here." When the two nodded he quickly stood up running down the hallway their rooms had been. A loud pounding came from there a few moments later he was seen pushing Simon out. His look was disheveled, his robes in a disarray as if hastily put on. Doric and Holga followed behind; one looking confused and the other grouchy for being rudely awakened.

"Okay Simon hear this out, I think we have a lead to chase in Neverwinter." He hastily explained to the group.

"Is that why you started to pound on his door?" Holga grumbled now, leaning on a wall eyeing him angrily.

"Simon, we know she was a goddess, one of harvest." He explained.

"Xenk said as much yesterday." Simon dryly retorted unsure of his thoughts.

"We might have a lead, and who better than this world's harvest goddess." He responded, "If one can feel the pull of a new god of the same domain it would be them,"

"What makes you think Chauntea's followers will even hear us out?" Doric asked, listening intently with a mix of skepticism.

"Well, it's likely her follower's— maybe Silvanis." Simon chimed in his own mind in contemplation "But we likely will have better luck getting into contact with Chauntea." His tone seemed uncertain but it was a lead enough to have his mind stirring. "I don't know if she has a temple in Neverwinter."

Edgin nodded at his concern. "Okay here is the plan then— Xenk and Simon will need to travel to meet Lord Neverember. Lawrence and Holo will have to go there as well, odds are Holo's appearance will help strengthen our need for the amulets of nondection." He turned to face Doric "Doric while we are doing that get in contact with the Emerald Conclave to see if we can-"

"Sent a message with an eagle already." Doric responded bluntly to him.

Edgin turned to face away "Alright then once you hear back, take Kira to where they will pick her up. Then help us find a temple."

He quickly turned to look at Kira "Sweetie, I want you to teach them what you can about the Sword Coast's currency." He ordered quickly "And as I said yesterday, once we get to Waterdeep see what you can find on Candlekeep." Kira nodded as she continued to eat. Edgin seemed excited to be in the swing of his leadership.

"Hopefully they make better heroes than thieves." Holo teased with a fang showing grin. Her tail could be heard shifting under her cloak, the motions sounding as though she was anticipating a hunt.

"Come' on your going to hurt my moment if you talk like that." Edgin chided, looking to Holo with a mix of disappointment and a strange amount of resolution. Lawrence could only lean back and take in the strange camaraderie that he had now found himself apart. It was absurd, but it felt comforting. Giving him a bit of hope, despite the uncertain future they dared ventured toward.