Aranor sips his jeli wine, enjoying the flavor.

"We will investigate theses attacks, but we need a bit more information. Did Jacopo or Zenia have any enemies that you know of?" he asks Samira. "Or their fathers, perhaps? If these men are as wealthy as their title implies, I imagine they have picked up a few enemies along the way."

The moon elf looks at his companions. "It sounds as if we need to speak to this Zenia right away and learn more about the attack against her."

Walt happily helps himself to some jeli wine and cakes. Up until now he has only heard of this wine and he has been dying for a sip. He is quite happy. 

As Samira and the party discuss the situation, Walt reaches into his pack and pulls out the stoppered glass bottle that he was fiddling with earlier in the day. He unplugs the stopper, sniffs the still fizzing liquid and grins a mostly toothless smile. He slouches in his seat, holds the stem of the bottle with a piece of cloth, conjures up a magical flame and proceeds to cook up his potion. He looks up and continues to listen to everyone speak as the potion begins to come to a boil.

Walt nods in agreement with Tuuli and Aranor’s responses. He will wait in listen to Samira’s replies before speaking up.

”Madame Arah, forgive my ignorance, but what exactly are Kings of Coin? And how many are there? Do you know of any internal strife amongst the Kings of Coin?”

Just then, Walt notices his potion begins to boil over. He quickly extinguishes the flame and he blows on the liquid to cool it. 

Zartan in medium voice at the mention of not getting paid in gold says "TUULI!". Then in a more controled/whispered voice. "Some of us need the shiny coins for our profession with special paper and ink costing a pretty piece." Relaxing a bit more. "But yes, payment in jelli wine would also be appreciated." as he tries to collect himself. 

Tuuli looks aghast at Zartan. “No! I mean, of course, I just meant instead of my 200 gold… which is actually a really generous offer.” She quirks an eyebrow at the lady with all the gold.

Zartan acts a little sheepishly at his reaction than laughs. With a wink he says. "I'm sorry Tuuli" Looking over at the lady. "Thank you"

Samira seems unfazed by Tuuli's request. "Fine, you can be paid in wine. I can give you a good price." Then she pauses for a moment. "But Jeli wine, as you can imagine, is a politically-fraught market. If you want wine I will get you a good price, but I just ask that you not seek to bargain for additional jeli wine in wholesale while under my employ, while all this" - she waves her hand back in the rough direction of the alley - "is unsolved."  

"Did Jacopo or Zenia have any enemies that I know of?" she repeats Aranor's question and thinks for a moment. "No, not that I know of. A question you need to ask her, I suppose."

"Yes - Zenia's should be your next stop. I'll provide directions to an establishment owned by Zenia’s family."

The jeli wine is sweet and black. And very, very good.

"The Kings of Coin are the ruling council of Zinda. We meet at the Vault of Justice." As she answers Walt's questions, she begins to count on the fingers of one jewel-encrusted hand. "Grand Messer Amos Nir is head of the Kings of Coin and represents the Jeli Trade. Madame Kit Mata represents the Grocers’ Trade. Messer Solenn Avim represents the Weavers’ Trade. Myx Nargis Ruba represents the Tavern Keepers’ Trade. Myx Massimo Ain represents the Smiths’ Trade. And myself, Madame Samira Arah. Strife? There's always strife." 

"But are you agreeable to my terms? I also ask you to be discreet, very discreet."

"Oh, we can definitely be discreet," Tuuli says (Performance: 9), totally unable to hide her knowing that this group is anything but discreet.

Walt's eyes bug out and dart from Tuuli back to Samira and back again. He clears his throat and interjects  "It's a deal! You've hired yourself some investigators. Who are quite capable. And incredibly...discreet."

He turns to Zartan and Aranor and asks "Do we have any more questions? Or modifications to the terms of our agreement?" 

"No, I'm good as well with the terms of the agreement"

"Good." She then provides directions to an establishment owned by Zenia’s family, a tavern called the Thornapple, where Zenia is under guard. Zenia’s directions avoid several streets closed by festivities and lead through the city market.

"Discretion, yes, if very important. The Kings of Coin took great pains to keep the attack on Zenia quiet for fear of jeopardizing the success of the March of Vice. Jacopo’s death will likewise be concealed until the festival is over."

Samira also gives each of you a rose-shaped token that confirms you are her representatives. "I will be among the celebrants on the city’s main thoroughfare, the River of Gold," she adds, "until the March of Vice begins." 

She stands to leave.

“Excuse me, Madame, one more thing. You said Jacopo was the eldest son of Massimo. Were you tasked with protecting Massimo’s other children as well? If not, perhaps that would be a good idea considering what has transpired.”

Walt watches her closely as he waits for her reply.

Insight check: 24

"Yes," replies Samira. "All the immediate family members of the Kings of Coin remain under guard by the Silent Verse. The Silent Verse is dedicated to keeping not only the Kings of Coin safe, but their families and staff as well. But..." she lowers her voice again "some are also loyal to Grand Messer Amos Nir, head of the Kings of Coin, who represents the Jeli Trade. He is the wealthiest, most influential leader in Zinda. And I haven't ruled out his involvement in this. So again, please be discreet." 

Walt senses that Samira is being honest throughout, although the bit about Amos Nir's involvement feels like it's an outcome that Samira is hoping for, or at least a fishing expedition of some sort.

Walt looks about the room and walks over to Samira, leans in close and says in a low voice "I see. I assure you, we will be as discreet as possible. Is there any member of the Silent Verse that you trust? One that we may be able to help us. And how might we contact you with any news or progress on our investigations." 

Assuming no one else has anything else to ask Samira, Walt will escort her out of the room and then reconvene with the party to discuss their plans. 

"I have no more questions," says Aranor. "I'm ready to begin."

While he waits for Walt to finish talking with Samira, the moon elf closes his eyes and enjoys a second glass of jeli wine. It really is delicious. When the Catford Cask is restocked, he plans on visiting much more often for this particular libation. After his second glass is finished, he gives the empty glass a regretful look, but it does not do to get tipsy during a murder investigation. There will be time for that later, he hopes, to enjoy the pleasures of the March of Vice.

"I'll be on the River of Gold until the March of Vice begins. Show any Silent Verse member my token" – Samira points at one of the rose-shaped tokens she has given you – "And they will find me. That token confirms you are my representatives."  

She opens the door of her private room and strolls into the public part of the small, popular, upscale café here at the edge of the city’s central market. Her guard rejoins her, and they exit. 

Samira has given you directions to the "Thornapple", a tavern owned by Zenia’s family, where Zenia is under guard, on the other side of the city market.

Unless you have further business at the café, the party exits outside and surveys the bustling central market ahead. 

It's a vibrant and colorful scene. The air is filled with the aroma of spices, cooking meats, and freshly baked bread. Vendors of all kinds line the streets, each hawking their wares with loud and boisterous voices. Stalls are piled high with exotic fruits, alongside tables laden with fresh vegetables. You see a booth selling traditional Zindanese textiles, such as headscarves and brightly colored robes. There are stalls with handmade pottery, baskets, and wooden carvings, each crafted with intricate designs and patterns. Another stall sells herbs and spices used in Zindanese cooking and magic. The vendors are dressed in colorful clothing and decorated with talismans and charms. You hear a musician playing a lively tune somewhere, while dancers twirl in colorful costumes, drawing a small crowd. Food vendors sell savory meat pies, fried fish, and spicy stews, while others offer sweet treats like sugar cane juice, fried doughnuts, and fruit popsicles.

Aranor leads the way toward the Thornapple, but he can't help but be distracted by all the activity around him. If they didn't have a pressing task to accomplish, he would be definitely be lingering over those meat pies and maybe grab a fruit popsicle for dessert. He wondered how the clothing of Zinda would look on his pale, blueish skin. Probably ridiculous, but it would be fun to try on anyway.

Tuuli, after being uncharacteristically silent for most of the negotiation, trails after the others, torn between watching her friends' backs, and the fascinating festival.

Though Walt's coin purse is a light these days, he can't help but gawk at all the interesting trinkets, herbs and delicious smelling foods. He makes a silent promise to himself to come back and feast once he saves up some coin.

The details behind Jocop's death has Walt perplexed. Had someone poisoned him? If so, who? How? And when? Had he stumbled into the alleyway and succumb to a poison he ingested earlier? Or did someone meet him there and murder him? The further Walt goes down this rabbit hole, the more worried he gets for his friends. 

He motions for Aranor, Tuuli and Zartan to get closer as they walk towards the Thornapple. Once they're all grouped up he shares his concerns. "Until we have more information about what happened to...you know who back there, we should be careful with any food and drink offered to us. If this mess is all related to the higher ups, once word is out that we're helping them, that might put a target on our backs."

DM what sort of armor or uniforms do the Silient Verse use? And do we see any members of them out and about the market?