(I will stop waiting for Hawk) The night is uneventful, though you do hear arguing going on downstairs, it sounds like Morak arguing with a Zhent about food or drink not being available from damages, and just when things start to sound like they are going to get violent, you hear Kella come in and let them know that Morak is telling the truth 

If he hears the noise, Halizthan will move to see what is going on, keeping his dagger ready since he would not have enough time to get his armor on.

Bert also heads downstairs with Halizthan, notifying the rest of the group as well. He gives up on trying to be sneaky and asks Morak directly, "So what is your plan here? The town needs to rebuild. These people were being held captive by goblins in a cave and just returned home. They deserve a chance to get their town back. Are you and the rest of the zhents going to pass through to somewhere that has more resources? Or stay and help the town's leaders get on their feet?"

He looks at Kella. "What's the play here?"

He doesn't have his hand on his rapier, but it's there. He sends a message to anyone from his group not already downstairs that something may be happening. He hopes the Zhents go in peace or stay in peace, but the decision's up to them.

Mandaway stomps downstairs after Bert with The Pacifier slung on his belt and his crossbow over his back, he gave Kella a little wave but scowled in support of Berts words.

(Morak is the dwarf who owns the tavern, did you mean to talk to the generic Zhents who were bullying him) 

Wow sorry got confused with names and thought I was directing that at the leader of the Zhents who I thought was in the Inn. It can be directed at the generic Zhent. Bert's a bit of a fool and doesn't know these things, like me!

(The leader has also gone to sleep)

The generic Zhent stands up "Hey look, one of the town's new leaders is now on his feet. The Snail wants this as a base and a base we will make it"

Kella glares at him. "And no more business shall be discussed with outsiders"

Mandaway tried desperately to stop his guffaw, but was deeply unsuccessful, " Sorry.....sorry......you work for someone called The Snail?  So you would be what...The Slugs?  Does he have a little cottage he carries around with him or is just because of the excessive mucus issue?"

"I.... I don't know why he is called The Snail, we don't question him"

Zook listens to what’s being said, without offering a word. However, when Mandaway makes the joke about The Snail and The Slugs, he bursts out and begins giggling uncontrollably. 

"Seems the Zhentarim are the outsiders to Nightstone, and the townsfolk themselves can decide what happens to it. They've been through a lot. Doesn't have to be a conflict. Maybe you should try listening a bit more?" Bert says to the Zhent (what do they look like and are they armed?

Bert turns to Morak the dwarven innkeep and says, "who is second in line to run things around here with the Lady in the Keep currently (and permanently) indisposed?"

(they are a male human, wearing leather and carrying a scimitar and a crossbow)

Morak replies "umm... I guess that is me. I was the leader in the cave"

" I guess....what it comes down to Morak is.....would you like this mob to shunt off? Because we can assist with that if needs be, however if you would like them to stay then thats fine to, I guess."

" Up to you."

"The way they have been acting, I would say they ain't welcome here. And being Zhents is double reason to remove them" 

" Then I would get every able bodied individual who can hold a weapon here sharpish, present a united front.  If they see a strong enough force arrayed against them hopefully this won't fall to violence."

Halizthan is going to return to his room to work on donning his armor and his weapons, rejoining the party once he is to finished to see what their plan is. While he does not like the Zhents by their description and wants them gone he is not foolish enough to take them on alone.

(are you talking about getting every able bodied person here in front of Kella and the generic Zhent) 

(Is Morak the only villager we can see? Are there any others in the Inn, or just outside?)

Bert says to Kella, "so I'm not sure the people of Nightstone want their town to turn into a Zhentarim base. What do the Zhents do when that happens? Let's try to think of a peaceful solution."

As he talks he tries to subtly move toward the front entrance of the inn to both glance outside and to be in the way if they try to run. He will message to Mandy and the others, one by one "it would be easier if we could just keep these two Zhents nice and safe in here while we sort all this out -- maybe step in front of the exits?"

(Morak is the only one in the inn, the others are sorting out thier houses or grieving over family. Also one exit is a gaping hole where the kitchen was, the other is the front door and maybe the stairs to go up and out a window)

With all of the damage, it doesn't sound like one person will be able to stand in front of an exit and block anyone from leaving. Perhaps, if three of us were to stand side by side against the gaping hole, we could perhaps prevent someone from leaving. Then, one person could try and block the door. 

However, that seems like a bad plan. Instead, Zook will also talk to Kella. 

"Bert is correct, my mysterious friend. Your Zhentarim companions are not wanted here, and not just because they act with a lack of respect for others. And besides that, Nightstone is not yours for the taking, anymore than a possession of your own is not simply up for grabs if by chance it leaves your hand for a brief moment."

"What if you were carrying a pouch of gold coins, and you inadvertently dropped it because you had to shield yourself from a surprise attack by a big smelly ogre? If I were standing next to you, is it my place to pick it up and declare it to be mine?"

"It is my feeling that you and your friends should come clean and state your exact intentions to Morak, given that currently the defacto leader of Nightsone at the moment, and see what he and the other rightful residents of this village think of your ideas. What say you, young wanderer?"