The goblins groan and protest as they’re ungently dropped on the ground. Zeratuu neatly uses her claws to pick the knots out of the rope binding their legs together and returns the coil to Aloisturm while the group chivies their prisoners to their feet and return to the road.
It is well after midnight when the north gate of Sandpoint comes into view. Unlike previous times that Etoile can remember, it is now securely closed, and Steven and Aloisturm spot the helmet of a guard on the wall above the gate, keeping watch on the way. Zeratuu pokes Etoile gently in the leg to get his attention and points at the wall to the east of the gate, where they had made their way over into the forest running up to the wall. The ladder is gone, and another guard can be seen there, keeping watch over the forest.
As they approach the gate, the guard takes note, and a bell rings twice. By the time they reach them, one of the gates is open enough for them to walk through comfortably. It is pushed closed behind them, men and women wearing ill-fitting armor and wearing weapons they weren’t as familiar with. Members of the militia, no doubt, called on to assist with the night watches.
One of the militia goes with them to guide them to the jail, holding a torch to light the way. Sandpoint is peaceful and quiet at night, almost all the residents fast asleep for the coming day. When they arrive at the jail, they find Sheriff Hemlock waiting for them, buckling on his sword belt and looking rough, unshaven and rings under his eyes from his broken sleep.
“Well, good to see you safely returned… and with prisoners to boot. What did you find out there?” he says in greeting, eyes growing more focused as he inspects the goblins intently.