Herka listens to Ithelion carefully.  Sighing, she speaks, "Well, I am not surprised Lung is trying to profit off these fruits - I suppose it's only a matter of time.  But it does concern me and as such, I will bring what you have said to Lady Hucrele."  She thinks another moment before adding, "The fruit the town secures in the fall has incredible properties - I have seen it myself - at the same time, we have kept it's existence well-guarded lest it fall into the wrong hands.  My Lady has also thought about using the fruit of course but doing so would bring too much attention to our small town.  The winter fruit's properties are much worse of course, and more worrisome if they find their way into less benevolent hands.  Still," she adds, "people like Lung have been known to do far worse.  He and his thugs, while odious and unpleasant, bear no proof of wrongdoing as of now," she looks at you shrewdly, "unless of course you have evidence?  If you do, I am sure My Lady would be the first to help you bring it to Felosial."

Ithelion sighs, and closes her eyes. The pattern repeats. Her eyes open again and she focuses on Herka, "No. No proof. Evidence is hard to come by. You only have our collective word" she says, gesturing to he companions. "Such is the way with the Zhentarim."

She looks at Herka for a time before adding, "I am glad you are aware of your circumstances, and hope you deal with it better than I might have."

Herka stops in her tracks, "Zhentarim?!  What about the Zhentarim?"  she turns back towards you...

@shere - “He thinks upon the terrible tree History 17”

you don’t recall anything specific about Gulthias tree or the name but from the sounds of it from the others, you gather it’s some sort of corrupted entity. 

Gods, be careful! Ithelion stares at Herka for a moment before answering, "Of my own knowledge? I know little of the Zhentarim, though I doubt that I could say the same for the Mayor..."

She tilts he head to one side watching Herka closely, "And you? What is your connection to them?"

(( Ithelion tries to gauge Herka's reponse: is she defensive, and ossibly one of them, or opposed to them? Insight: 4 ))

Herka reacts with disgust at the mention of Zhents, she’s not hiding it.  “Are you saying the mayor knows that there are Zhentarim about?  Are they in the city?  Do you have proof of this??!!”

Garnet will respond quickly " We have no definite proof that the mayor or any other citizens of this city are part of the Zentarium." She will indicate to Krom. "However our cleric recognized an ornamental pin on the mayor's person. That combined with the mayor's underhanded behavior has us at this conclusion." Garnet pauses for a moment before continuing" We are not asking for you, or anyone, to confront the mayor or his implied organization. Only that you keep an eye out. Don't let your gaurd down."

Zhentarim Shere thinks he's heard that name before in every city he's been too they even tried to shake down his troupe once. A protection racket where you pay them to not break your knees. They were playing at the Yawning porthole ,,,,

Ithelion listens to Garnet's remark, then speaks. "To quote one of your own 'The Zhentarim have their tentacles in places unseen' -- and unless they were referring to Corkie or your employer that really only leaves one candidate. Add to that the tattoos of his men and his own words: 'I get my information from the best sources, and the most knowledgeable people'..."

She shrugs. "He went on to say that everyone has a price. I have little doubt that his has already been paid by the Zhents."

"But you are correct: I have no proof, nor am I likely to get any without a thorough search of his house -- or that of his guard captain -- and even then, maybe not."

"Nevertheless, it all suggests he is far better connected than a simple local mayor. And he seeks to turn the misery of his people into coin. You must have had your own suspicions about him, surely?"

Herka bristles at the mention of her employer being in league with the Zhentarim but listens patiently enough.  "I will take what you have told me to Lady Hucrele.  It is my job to be suspicious but maybe she knows more about this...Myself, I will keep looking.  If the mayor is a Zhentish agent or allied with them in some way, it bodes ill for the future of Oakhurst in the long run.  It could also explain the "lost" caravans over the last several years..."  She makes ready to leave.  "Thank you for telling me.  If you find anything else - any proof of the mayor's involvement with the Zhentarim, please let me know."  She looks at Shere, "I see you have made a new friend - please to meet you.  Welcome to Oakhurst." 

Shere bows to her "Thank you and well met Senorria I wish it was under different circumstances" 

Ithelion smiles tentatively at Herka, "At this stage, suspicion and perhaps cautious investigation is all any of us can do. And please let us know if you learn anything as well."

She waits for the guard captain to leave then turns to Krom, curiosity plain on her face, "So...this plan you mentioned?"

Ithelion will ask Elosa to follow Herka, checking where she goes from a safe height.

Quote from Ereshion >>

Ithelion will ask Elosa to follow Herka, checking where she goes from a safe height.

 Elosa watches Herka exit from the back of the inn and head back to the Hucrele company’s place. She enters a building and doesn’t come back out. 

Krom looks up, "It's a simple plan lass and I'm surprised ye ain't even thought of it. We just need a good amount of lantern oil and a good flame. Ye know, set the tree on fire."

"Parrdon now that we are in a somewhat securre place could you bring me to knowing, what has transpirred so far? Frrom what I just heard not only do we need to destrroy the trree but trrack down any seeds."

Ithelion laughs at Krom's comment, "A simple solution! And it might go well with that potion we found. Yes..."

"Perhaps then I could trouble everyone -- other than you Shere -- for two gold each -- we could do with some oil, a chest for storing things as we travel, to avoid them breaking. I should have thought of that earlier."

To Shere she says, "I think it's the fruit, and they are due to ripen in eight days. Of course the seeds -- probably from the fruit -- would be a likely the source of the blights. That...that is another problem entirely I think."

She then goes on to recount what has happened so far to Shere.

"Wherrre is this, Citadel? Did you map what you explorrred? Is therrre a rrreason you have not attempted to destrrroy the trrree."

Shere simply calmly and quietly states. The sound of his voice is deep and soothing to the ear. And trilling of his r's sounds more like a purring sound 

Ithlion nods, "Yes, we have mapped where we have been. It's a few hours out of town, in a chasm."

With the she pulls some papers from her backpack and shows Shere the layout she has mapped already.

"As to the tree: Well...the trick there is finding it and defeating whatever evil lies in our path. There are goblins and a corrupt druid, at the least. And...if our experience so far is any measure...more undead. Probably Hecrule's half-eaten or undead children, but..." she frowns and shakes her head, a sardonic smile on her face, "...I'd suggest you don't tell her that."

map of the region.  from the portal you traveled east towards thundertree and crossed on a river boat and headed up the new road to oakhurst:

you entered oakhurst from the south, hence the weird compass.  when you leave town for the ruins , you take the mostly out of use old road to the ruins:

 ithelion's map of your current progress in the ruins - note that to the west of the fountain room is guthash's lair (guthash being the giant diseased rat you recently defeated):