Leilani remains at the table, though her interest in the conversation has dwindled now that the immediate danger to her seems to be past.

The halfling smiles wistfully in response.  "Durnan is more than capable of caring for himself, and his bar, and dealing with anything thrown his way.  Alas, he no longer cares for searching out the root of the problem, which is why we are talking to you, not him.   In truth, we do not want people who actively court trouble, just people who can handle it when it comes calling.  Watching you all handle this evening's chaos - with apologies to the louder halfling in this establishment, I think you may fit this evening's bill.  What say you?"

"Zat would depend on who zee 'we' is and what zee 'we' want, I suppose."

"I think you might also be a bit mistaken about us," Cassandra adds, addressing the halfling and motioning around at everyone else.  "We are nah actually a group or anythin'.  We all just sat at the same table."

As the tavern settles back down and Threestrings begins his performance, Jun takes it upon himself to retrieve replacement drinks for everyone at the table. He accepts help from anyone who offers.

By the time that the halfling and the human woman arrive, Jun is back to drinking his tea and stays mostly quiet. He listens intently as Arvel speaks with them.

"Oho - you think so?" asks the elderly halfling.  "A threat arose, and you acted in concert to overcome it.  Whether you call it that or not, young lady, that's a group.  That's the spirit we need."

"And has for who 'we' are -- yes, forgive me.  When you reach my age, you grow impatient for manners.  I am Blossom Snobeedle --don't laugh -- and I am a longstanding member of group known as the Emerald Enclave.  We protect the world outside this city, both the balance of nature and those who would venture into it.  My companion Sarva is a relatively recent conver..."

"...a knight of the Order of the Gauntlet," finishes Sarva.  "Sarva Belabranta.  My order roots out evil, wherever it can be found."  You detect a note of nostalgia - or regret - in her voice.

"Yes, and you now serve as well as any," Blossom says, patting her companion's arm.  "Sarva has convinced me that there is a threat in this city, in this very tavern, one that will require discretion to discover and stop.  Unfortunately, my long years of service and Sarva's...past...make us far too recognizable to do this ourselves.  A group such as yourselves, however, strong yet still relatively unknown in the city, could make a far better go of it."

"Two Waterdhavian Nobles may be involved, so even good men like the Sergeant cannot help here" interjects a  fidgety Sarva.  "This will be up to you, and you alone."

"These two -- Victorio and Ammalia Cassalanter - have sent an agent to the tavern this evening," offers Blossom.   "Who it is, we do not know.  What their intent is, we do not know.  The Cassalanters are rumored to consort with devils, so we presume the intent is not charitable in nature."

"We do know that they have been looking for a gnome named Dalkhar," Sarva begins in a torrent, speaking so quickly as if she needs to get this out immediately.  "We know he stayed at this tavern recently.  Coincidentally, he also designed the handbill for tonight's performance.  We need you to fill in the gaps.  We need you to search through Dalkhar's room, find out why these Nobles of Waterdeep are hunting him, no matter where that truth leads.  Are you still interested?  What questions have you?"

Cassandra gives the halfling and her companion a skeptical look as she leans back in her seat.

"I'll be honest...I'm not much of an investigator..."

The more the two talk, the less Orynn hides. His posture straightens and his eyes brighten. "Sounds like this gnome could use a little assistance," the half-elf comments. He looks around. "What assurances do we have that you're not the ones hunting Dalkhar and getting us to do your dirty work?"

Arvel whistles softly.

"Cassalanter? Deep pockets. Dangerous to go against.

But I suppose if it's just information gazzering and zee price is right...?"

Cassie nods slowly at Orynn's words...the notion of helping a gnome in need resonating with her much more than simply investigating a stranger on behalf of some organization she doesn't recognize.

"My hunting days are in my past," Sarva bristles at the accusation, her hand almost vibrating with the need to drop to her swordbelt.  "Fortunately for you."

"My, was I this cynical in my youth?" the ancient halfling asks.  "It is hard to remember, sometimes.  No matter. When we saw a band strong enough to fight twin fronts, and compassionate enough to save a stray cat  amidst the chaos, we saw a better chance of uncovering the truth here, but, if we must, we will make do with other options.  But we would prefer to work with you.  Ask anything you will of us to gain your assurances, and we promise to answer truthfully.  But - if you cannot take us at our word, it seems unlikely we can provide no assurance you would accept.   If you prefer, you can of course speak with Durnan, or Bonnie, or any of the regulars here.  We are known to them, by word and deed.  For me, at least, they have decades to go by"ac

“Decades?”

Arvel leans in conspiratorially. 

“So zee rumairs about Durnan are true?”

"I apologize if my words were offensive," Orynn says, shrinking back a little. "I do not mean to accuse. My goal is caution."

Jun speaks softly with a question for both the newcomers and Arvel. 

"Just who are these Cassalantars?"

Rue listens to all of this with obvious interest and bright excitement.  It's exactly the sort of exciting thing he's read about in (probably fictionalized) books, and he's clearly eager to be involved.

As the conversation continues, however, his intense attention turns more and more to Sarva.  He does seem to be choosing his words carefully however, as he softly says, "Will zis...  help you to know peace?"

Blossom laughs and slaps the table.  "No offense taken, young man!  If you were to agree without question, you'd hardly be the types to act with discretion, now would you?  I'd rather work with a skeptic willing to offend than a well-meaning fool any day.  But as I said, any questions you ask, we shall do our best to answer.  First and most easily dealt with," she nods to Arvel, "Durnan's story is not mine to tell.  Suffice to say he's had long years honing his ability with that greatsword he keeps behind the counter.  I'd warn against testing him if I were you."

Sarva's hand stops its incessant vibrating at the sound of Rue's voice, and she answers, almost too softly for the rest of the table to hear.  "I...will never know peace.  Not after what I have done, what I have been a part of."  She stiffens, as if she cannot believe she said that to strangers.  "All I can hope for is to earn a glimpse of it, piece by piece, through my work with the Order."

"The Cassalanters, however, are another story.  They are an old, powerful family in Waterdeep," Blossom answers Jun.  "They control a good portion of the trade in one quadrant of the city.  But like most who deal with riches, they are not satisfied, never satisfied."  She hesitates, before deciding to go further.  " Tell me, what do you know of the Vault of Dragons?"

Jun responds to the question of the Vault of Dragons quite promptly.

"Absolutey nothing."

He takes a quick sip of his drink.

"I'm pretty new to the area."

Cassandra nods her agreement with Jun's statement.

"As am I.  Though I was born in Waterdeep, it has been many a long summer since I last lived here."

She hesitates a moment before continuing.

"To be honest, I'd rather be back out at sea, but mah' present circumstances make that too risky for any good captain to allow, so I'm kinda' stuck here for the time bein,' with scarcely any notion what to make of meself..."

"I'm not new to the area, and I don't know much more about it than you," chuckles Blossom.  "It's more a rumor -- a legend -- of a vast cache of stolen gold, hidden somewhere beneath the city streets.  Perhaps it is actually true -- all we know is that of late, numerous factions have made moves towards discovering it.:

"The Dragon's Vault is no mere wyrm's hoard -- tales say it holds 500,000 gold if it holds a copper," adds Sarva.

"Um, yes," continues Blossom.  "Enough to motivate, well, anybody.  Now, we have no proof the Cassalanters are actively planning some sort of heist, but they are not ones to let a rival move unopposed.  We do know they are interested in Dalakhar.  Thanks to you, we know there was a violent distraction and an attempt to steal something tonight, as well.  That's two strikes in one night -- too many for chance, and too bold to be unimportant.  We suspect it has something to do with this Vault, but cannot prove it.  That proof may be in Dalakhar's room."

Does Orynn know anything about the Vault of Dragons (history and religion the same): 15

"So you think this carriage crash was meant as a distraction to allow someone to search this gnome's room? That seems a bit of a strecth when just the show going on tonight would likely suffice for such a distraction..."

Jun sips once more from his drink.