"I was just passing through."
"I find that highly unlikely. Where were you bound, that it was necessary to pass through Skelleth?"
"I passed through before en route to Mormoreth, and was able to obtain provisions here for the journey. I had hoped to do the same for my return to Ordunin."
"What did you want in Mormoreth?"
"I had been sent to find something."
"Oh? Did you?"
"Find it?"
"Yes."
"No"
"How unfortunate. What was it?"
"A gem."
"What gem?"
"We had heard that there was a gem in Mormoreth that could turn an overman invisible."
"Oh? But you couldn't find it?"
"No."
"Who sent you after it?"
"The Wise Women of Ordunin."
"Who are they?"
"Oracles that live near Ordunin."
"Why did they send you for this gem?"
"I should think that would be obvious; such a gem would be extremely valuable."
"Why did they send you, rather than someone else?"
"I am reputed among my people to be fairly competent."
"I see. So you went to Mormoreth seeking this gem. On foot?"
"No."
"Then where is your mount?"
"My warbeast was slain by bandits on the Plain of Derbarok."
"Yet you escaped?"
"I surrendered my gold, and they let me go."
"While you still had your sword?"
"Yes." Garth realized he had made a mistake, but it was too late to correct it.
"Curious."
"I had slain several, and they did not wish to fight further."
"Ah, of course. Bandits are a cowardly lot:"
Garth shrugged.
"So you made the journey to Mormoreth and back in four weeks. I take it you encountered the bandits on your return trip?"
"Yes."
"How did you avoid them on the journey thither?"
"Luck."
"Ah. And how long were you in Mormoreth, searching for this gem?"
"I don't recall, exactly."
"Oh."
There was a pause, then the Baron continued, "And now you're passing through again, on the way to Ordunin."
"That's right."
"You are in Skelleth only to obtain provisions."
"Yes."
"It took two days at the King's Inn to gather supplies for the journey to Mormoreth?"
"Yes." Garth did not like the direction the questions were taking.
"And for this quest after a magic jewel, you needed chains, rope, a cage for pigeons though you had none with you, and a bolt of good cloth."