Clayton
*He made no sound as he followed the other man, his footsteps muted, like as if he were on a hunt. He didn't mind being in the poorer side of town, as that is where he had resided for a long time before he was able to acquire a home for himself. He seemed a little uneasy as he entered the tavern, though the reason was unclear. It didn't seem to be the patrons.. Ishikawa would sit across from him, the hawk hopping off of his shoulder and onto his lap. He grimaced slightly.*
Jessica
Ernest looks from right to left, scanning the room like a hawk before pulling out what looks to be a chunk of wood from a napsack hanging off to the right side of his self. Placing it upon the table and pushing it over to Ishikawa he asks in a hushed tone "You know what this is?" His tone imparts a feeling of unease, mostly due to the hurried speech. It looks like a normal piece of wood, covered in bark - but one strange thing presents itself. The wood occasionally pulses, a very faint green glow emanating from the crevices in the bark. Clearly something that isn't ordinary...
Clayton
*Ishikawa leaned forwards to look at the block of wood in front of himself, squinting at it as he took a moment to observe all parts of it. His ears folded down slightly as he did, his body language portraying a sense of nervousness about the object. His twin tails swayed slowly, as if he was preparing to hypothetically pounce on it. The hawk on his lap flapped its wings as it backed away from it, causing the Kitsune to grimace once again, leaning back as he attempted to calm the bird down with gentle petting. He shook his head.*
Jessica
He snatches the piece of wood away and throws it back into the sack upon witnessing Ishikawa shake his head. He then takes a deep breath, seemingly preparing himself and then stating "It's living wood. Yes, I know all wood is living but this kind of wood is signature of a special nature spirit which lives within forests. The kind of spirit which goes on wanton massacres whenever anything encroaches upon its territory. Those spirits are strong as hell and it makes perfect sense as to why an entire group of men-at-arms disappeared." If Ishikawa makes no verbal response then Ernest would signal to one of the bar wenches to bring her over to the table, and would then order a tall tankard of booze. The finest booze they have, and would give the lady ten silver to make sure.