Xochitl and Izco sat in the gaol cell that they'd been escorted to, once matters had been explained to the Landsguard duo on duty at the gates. The two of them fully admitted to Izco's theft with Xochitl once more providing the story that he was a recovering kleptomaniac that had just had a bad day. Whether the Landsguard pair recognized them or not, there was no indication, they were taken to the cells and left there while they listened to the tonawawta's testimony. Once the man left, the guards came to talk to them directly, but before they could start their line of questioning, Xochitl spoke up once more.

"Send for Staff Sergeant Tenoch, we're Landsguard recruits that were on-mission. If we stay here overnight, there's going to be a lot of questions as to why we were gone so long. I could tell them the truth, but that might make our situation out there rather tenuous. So the sooner we can get out of here, the better."

The two guards looked at one another before they both shrugged. One departed, presumably to go and fetch the Staff Sergeant. "We'll see if your story holds water, thief." The remaining guard said.

It didn't take long for the other guard to return with Tenoch in tow. The Staff Sergeant leveled his gaze on the two recruits in the holding cell, letting out a sigh. "When I said we should arrange a meeting for me to hear your report, cadets, I was expecting something a little more dignified." He rumbled.

Xochitl could only laugh and shrug. "At least our report is on time?" Izco just nodded.

Tenoch nodded to the guards on duty. "Let them out. They're working for me, so I'll receive their report and cut them loose again. I'll be sure to file the necessary paperwork so neither of you will be held accountable." The two guards saluted the Staff Sergeant, then unlocked the cell and took themselves back out to their gate posts.

Once free of the cell, Tenoch took them into a small interrogation room.  It was there that he listened to their accounting of the Baron and his activities thusfar.  He didn't look pleased, but not because of what they'd done so far, but simply what the Baron was up to overall.  He misliked this misuse and abuse of children.  Adults knew and understood the consequences of their actions when it came to situations like this, but children just wanted to eat, survive, and maybe get a little affection or praise now and then.

"Good work so far." Tenoch said, using a paper and pen to write out a note. "Take this to the mess hall here at the Post and give it to the Mess Sergeant on duty. They'll give you enough foodstuffs from our stores to make your story plausible.  As for why you got delayed, we have to assume that the Baron has eyes and ears all over the city.  Tell them that the tonawawta believed your kleptomania story and didn't press charges. Since we're releasing you now, that should be believable. We'd have held you for at least a day or two if charges had been levied."

Xochitl took the note, handing it over to Izco. "There are more hallways and rooms in the underground part of the compound, but getting to them is going to be pretty difficult. Not unless we can get the Baron out of that room.  He has a clear view of all the entrances from that throne."

Tenoch thought about that for a moment before he shook his head. "If you can't get to it without blowing your cover, then leave it. We'll investigate that further later. Try and find out what he's doing with all loot that he's sending the kids after.  It has to be going toward something or paying for something." He looked at Izco. "See if you can find out from that Maple girl what notes she's been writing on his behalf.  Or if there have been any unusual visitors asking for an audience."

Looking at the two of them, the man sighed, pressing his palms to the table as he rose. "I'm giving you lot a moon to find out anything actionable. After that, I'm pulling you out and we're just going to raid the place and break up the Baron's operations that way. I'd rather be able to uproot his entire operation, but if we're just getting him, then that's one less rat in the city."

Xochitl and Izco also rose, nodding. "We'll do our best, Staff Sergeant." The tigress said.  Beside her, the hhetsarro piped up. "There was a book on Necromancy open on the table in the library part of the Baron's throne room. That's not a commonly-used magic here in Tural, so that might give you some kind of insight as to what or who he might be connected to. I can't imagine there are many of those sorts of practitioners hereabouts."

Tenoch's eyes narrowed. "Hm. I'll apprise the city patrols and have everyone keep an ear to the ground for any unusual activity with ash-kin.  That's enough of a rarity here in Tural that it should stand out like a sore thumb."  He went to the door, opening it. "Dismissed, cadets. I'll see you next sennight."

Xochitl and Izco made their way out from the gaol complex, crossing the yard to go to the mess hall.  Several of the other cadets looked at them as they passed, given that the two of them looked the part of the filthy street ragamuffins they were portraying.  They shoved their way into the kitchen in the back and before anyone could bellow at them to get out, she caught the first cook she saw. "Staff Sergeant Tenoch's orders." She said, showing the woman the note she'd been given.

It only took a few minutes for the cook to return with two burlap bags filled with common Turali foodstuffs, nothing that would stand out or make it seem like it had been taken from anywhere but the tavern or the taco stand. "Go out the back." She ordered, up-nodding toward a door at the very back of the kitchen. 

They did and it led them to a small alleyway that allowed them to go out to the main thoroughfare without crossing the whole of Brightbloom Post again. Letting out a sigh of relief, Xochitl shouldered her bag and Izco did much the same. Together, they headed back toward the Baron's compound. 

Hopefully, Phase Three was on the horizon.