(I'm assuming combat is over)

Seeing Xolkin now strung up by the formidable Vigan the ranger stops to catch his breath. I hope they interrogate him thouroughly  turning on his heels Carrow begins the unenviable task of gathering the dead, as the questioning goes on Carrow piles the dead zhentarim a few paces from Xolken, he then gathers all the horses and secures them, in turn he desaddles and searches them leaving everything he finds in a neat pile. 

Carrow looks for anything of note on the men and horses, thoroughly searching Xolkins saddlebags. 

Investigation 8

edit: I will also collect up arrows and a rather unique looking hand axe from C8 ;) 

Rixton:

"Easy there, big guy," I say, patting Vigan on the back.

I turn to Xolken. "You read the situation wrong, Xolken," I say evenly. "All we wanted from you was honesty and peace. That's still true. I won't resort to threats or violence. The deal is a simple one. You can buy your freedom with honesty and peace. If you can't pay up, you can stay right where you are and we will be on our way." I take a deep breath and exhale. "First and foremost: What do the Zhentarim want in Nightstone?"

"An abandoned village has certain operational value," responds Xolken. "Let's leave it at that."

Carrow's work with the dead Zhentarim and his search of the horses turns up the following: 

• Each of Xolken's followers has a pouch containing gold pieces. In total, 66 are found.
• A small saddlebag on Xolken's horse contains 4 platinum pieces, 13 gold pieces, and 4 gemstones (1 amethyst, 2 garnets, and 1 tourmaline) that are valued at roughly 100 gp each.

Additionally, Vigan's handaxe is located, and each Zhent carries one scimitar and one light crossbow. A total of 22 crossbow bolts are recovered as well. Lastly, all salvageable arrows are found and returned to their respective owners. Rixton and Carrow each lost two arrows. Ladrian lost three. 

Rixton:

"You can leave it wherever you like," I say, nodding. "But I will take that as a sufficient answer. Second: Was your plan for Nightstone purely opportunistic or have you had designs on the village for a while?"

"The cloud giants...and then the goblins...opened a window of opportunity. That's all," responds Xolken. 

Rixton:

I sigh, shaking my head. "How are you any better than bandits?" I say. "Don't answer that. Answer this one instead. How will the Zhentarim respond to your failure if you return to them alone and unarmed?"

Xolken's response is a tacit one. He merely shakes his head. 

Rixton:

I grunt in response to his response. "This one is important, then we will confer and decide if you have paid your way. Where will you go and what will you do if we let you leave? Answer carefully and consider being thorough."

"I know a lovely temple in Waterdeep," he sneers. "Maybe it's time to become a man of the cloth." 

Andor

"Keep it up big man you'll need a priest or three if you carry on like that" Andor whispers in the Zhent's ear.

Intimidation 12

Rixton:

I shake my head, smirking at Andor's idle threat. "He knows the bargain. He's just offering coppers and we need him to pay in gold. I would like nothing more than for you to walk away, knowing that you have failed your men and your faction, Xolken. But if the only way you see tomorrow is hanging upside down from a tree, so be it."

"You bastards! My men are slain, my gold is in your pockets, and I've no hope of taking Nightstone. You know very well what lies before me! Either I vanish altogether and outrun the scorn of my faction leaders...or I return to them and suffer their wrath. Please forgive me if I'm undecided at this moment!"

Rixton:

"See, now that is honest. I'll confer with my companions while you cool off a little. Do you have any requests for supplies while you consider your options?"

"My horse. Nothing more." 

Carrow 

The ranger silently handed Vigan his handaxe as he approached Xolkin, completely ignoring any protest the Half-Orc begins to search him. 

Investigation 18

"You will take whatever horse we see fit for you to have, now answer me this" Carrow leans in close his breath heavy on the Zhentarims upside down face "How many more of you pricks are in this area"

Intimidation 6

Other than his studded leather armor, light crossbow, and scimitar, a search of Xolken reveals that he wears a gold ring emblazoned with the symbol of the Zhentarim: a black winged serpent. 

"No others," he responds. "My only remaining rider was sent to Waterdeep hours ago." 

"I am inclined to believe you" he responds taking a step back "who was the woman in the village, an agent of yours?"

Carrow's question causes a momentary cloud of anguish to pass over Xoken's face. 

"That she was," he answers.

"You knew her, were you close? How long was she here. Did she arrive before or after the Giants came?"

"Yes, I knew Kella. How close? I don't know," responds Xolken.

Then, after a pause, he continues. "The giants attacked the day after she arrived. Remarkable timing, wasn't it? Looked as if Nightstone was being handed over on a silver platter."