Jodon can't help but...not necessarily pry, but ask...after hearing that last comment; after all, Dathyra has done nothing but impress him at every turn with her knowledge and curative abilities.

"Excuse me, did you say Ginger?  What does that help with?  I am sure Hugo can get us some if we should keep it handy?  Maybe it could even help Wendel get over the aftereffects of yesterday's curse."

She looked at him puzzledly, but then remembered why he would not have known. She chuckled. “That’s right, you were getting one of your ‘fixes.’ I had left some ginger with Holg. It’s useful In many remedies for an upset stomach. Thankfully, Hugo did have some, mostly for patrons who have partaken too much. It’s very helpful. And though I’ve never traveled far, I hear it does wonders for sea sickness. I don’t think it would be much use to Wendel. His illness originated in the chest and affected his breathing. For now, he is fine, but I fear that was his curse on a small scale: a warning, if you would. I think the next time, it could be far worse. Oh, Holg, I almost forgot. Kelbin has already decided to show his appreciation for our efforts thus far. He’s very worried for Arlen, though.” She pulled out the second coin pouch and slid it across to him.

"Ah well, you'll find something for Wendel, too," Jodon says with absolute confidence in his companion.  Turning to Holg and lowering his voice to a whisper, Jodon continues "and Kelbin seemed as surprised as any of us about the zombies.  He didn't know who "R" might be, but he did tell us that symbol you two found was for the Lady of Poison, Talona.  Whatever they are up to with those bottles and that tunnel, it can't be good, what with undead and all."  Mayhap they were even looking at turning our new friend here, too," he says gesturing to Mijira.  "I think we need to keep looking, not just for Kelbin's friend, but for any others these Poison followers may have ensared."

Mijira bristles at the thought of being turned into a mindless zombie. She wondered if Dathyra could do that...not that she ever would. No that wasn't her style at all. She could see the temptations of magic, even from the sidelines and she was grateful that she didn't have a choice. "I too have heard of Talona and her poisons. Her name is often close by when an assassination is mentioned in Calimshan. You can never be too careful when dealing with poisonous enemies."

Holg read over the letter intently. "No Wendel never returned. But I get the feeling that he may be in bigger trouble than just running with the wrong crowd." Looking at the coin purse laying on the table, Holg was pleased to have Kelbin hold up to his end of the deal and even more pleased to have worked with an honest and trustworthy group. "Thanks Dathyra.", he said as he put the coins in his pouch. "We have certainly fulfilled our side of the tasks. But I get the feeling that you all", he looks at Jodon specifically with a slight grin as if he had figured the Halfling out, "aren't going to rest until Arlen is found and Wendel and his brother are safe." Holg paused for a moment. He was not one to so willingly look for more trouble if no more coin was to be had. But the mystery was intriguing him and he yearned to learn more. "What shall our next plan of action be?"

"It's very likely Wendel either had no choice but to follow those men he was with in the market or he went back to ensure his brother's safety," Dathyra said, thinking aloud. She looked back to Holg, a little unsure herself. "It is safe to assume Kristoff has several men working for him. We've seen one who is going to prove to be more than just a hindrance in our efforts." She proceeded to describe the large, intimidating man they had seen in the market, bearing the symbol of Talona, who Wendel and the other men had cowered away from. "And if your ruse yesterday worked with the mattress, Kristoff is going to be frightened, but probably frightened enough to increase his guards, wards, and possibly use of undead beings." She shook her head. "The numbers certainly won't be in our favor. What preparations do you think we would need to increase those odds?"

Jodon nods at Dathyra -- surely the two of them do not have much experience in planning or tactics, and looks expectantly to Holg and Mijira for counsel.

Noticing the halfling's expecting look, Mijira speaks her mind out loud. "Wendle's note mentioned something about the tunnel coming out into the forest. I wonder if we would find that entrance and come in from that side. There's got to be a hunting lodge in or near the city with the forest this close. Although I wonder if that might actually be the front entrance since it's outside the city...On the other hand, we are already a little familiar with the house turned into mine shaft entrance. Either way, I am willing to spearhead the assault...It's what I am good at."

 A human female comes over to the table with a tray of plates, bearing portions of chicken and bread. By her dress, she is clearly a bar maid sporting a heavy, linen dress with a brown apron around her front side. She smiles, catching Holg's eye and says, "Hugo sends his regards - here is a bite to eat. He says it's paid for, so eat up. Free meals taste better." She smiles a little wider and gives Holg a wink while setting the tray down.

Jodon smiles thanks at the barmaid and messages to Holg "I see you have not been idle while ill, my friend."

Holg scoffs a little as she walks away, trying to deflect the flirtatious attention. "Pfft, these barmaids make their living by flattering patrons. They can sweet-talk you out of plenty of coin if your're not careful. But clearly she can't resist this charming face". The party can start to see a subtle yet noticeable grin curl around Holg's mouth as he begins to indulge in his meal.

"Clearly," Jodon says drily, and uses Minor Illusion to make a glow behind Holg's head for Dathyra and Mijira to see.  "But, I wonder, did your admirer pay for this?  Like my father used to say, there's no such thing as a free lunch...unless you steal it."

Dathyra chuckled at her male companions' sense of humor. "I can't say I've ever had the same problem, Holg. You seem to speak from experience. You've been talked out of coin before, hm?" She smiled.

In the meantime, the mere smell of the warm food had started to make her stomach growl. After having hardly eaten all of yesterday due to their poking around at Kristoffs for the good part of the day, she figured they would be better off going back with at least some energy in them.

"Aye, many years in the service. I've seen plenty of soldiers lose their wages to pickpockets and loose women. But I'm sure our lass here is just a bit friendly is all." Seeing everyone's eyes widen at the sight and smell of food, Holg looks to Mijira. "I bet you could use a good meal. You still seem exhausted from last night."

Eagerly reaching for a plate Mijira replies to Holg, "You can say that again. I'm still not fully recovered, but this will go along way." The dragonborn spins around to the departing barmaid and calls after her, "A round of drinks for the table." Being in the company of this group just kept getting better and better. 

Jodon grins through a mouthful of chicken at Mijira.  "Perhaps Holg's admirer might bring you some ginger?"

His grin drops as Jodon turns serious.  "So, to recap, we have our original quarry, Alren. " He uses Minor Illusion to float the man's name on the table.  "In looking for him, we found a house" (the house replaces the name)" presumably making undead and trading unsavory products" (the symbol of Talona adorns the house) "with a tunnel leading to a forest - either of which might be more heavily guarded now due to our visit.  In finding that house, we found an unwilling accomplice" (the  house gives way to Wendel, holding a note) "turned ally turned missing person, and evidence of a brother held captive.  In finding that evidence, we found a very large person" (the burly man from the market appears) "who may be involved as an enforcer or leader of some or all of the above.  Have I missed anything?"

"And what do we do next?"

Dathyra added, "Wendel also described a 'man who raises the dead,' and he is likely the one who placed the curse on him, and quite possibly, everyone else working for Kristoff to keep their silence. Whether that was the large man from the market or not, I do not know, but we're quite possibly going to be facing someone with an extensive knowledge of dark magic on their side."