"You mentioned that you had failed... What does that mean, exactly? It sounded like killing Lord Valero was just a means to an end." Neya break the silence.

With Chaab's attention focused on the axe in his leg and Graxx looming over him, Utar allows himself a small smile. Say what you want about Graxx, but he could certainly put the fear into this drow.

"When and how did you and Yalek become involved with Senetir?"

Graxx yanks the axe out of Chaab's leg.

Graxx rises up and wipes the blood off his axe on Chaab's clothing.

"Don't make me come back over here."

Graxx takes a few steps back.

"Who all was loyal to Senetir and in on this plot?  Were there any guards involved in this?" says Graxx.

Doozey remains a little on edge even with Graxx' plan working, but would continue to refrain from interfering just yet. Rather, he backs over to Ekmong and stage whispers, "I don't suppose anything about this little hideout of the lordling? As in, an easy way up for those of us without wings?" He furrows and holds up his hands in sort of surrender. "Not that... uhm... ah... Well, I presume you'll have the guard go get him, yes? Or, would you have some small folk on staff that the little one might not be so put off in having approach him after everything that's happened?"

Ekmong eye's widen at Chaab's revelation. He immediately calls a couple of guards closer and orders them: "To the guest house. Find the little Lord. If he won't come with you upon request, leave him be. Keep an eye on him and send word. Go, now!" The guards recruit a few more colleagues and move swiftly out of the chamber. When Doozey says something about the matter, he explains: "There is a tall ladder set semi-permanently on the back of the guest house. The lordling uses it when he is moody and needs to hide. It is less of a secret than what the child believes."

Noting that his strategy succeeded in getting Chaab to talk, Graxx removes his axe form its fleshy resting place and gives the drow some room to breath. His is the question that gets answered next, although Chaab avoids looking at the barbarian's eyes: "Yalek and myself were loyal. The half-orc ranger was a temporary ally. Senitir guaranteed the support of the noble's retinue, but I guess he was overestimating his abilities again. A persistent flaw in his character..." Ekmong interferes: "The Brokengulf soldiers are loyal to House Brokengulf." The soldiers in the room let out a warcry in unison, as to confirm the statement.

Utar's question gets Chaab's attention next: "Senitir recruited me into the Zhentarim. I recruited Yalek years later. We have been the secretive Zhentarim hub in Phlan for years. Small but effective... until this day."

Neya digs further on the topic of failure and Chaab explains: "Failure to enact revenge on the remaining Tormites by either killing or incriminating them. I knew targeting all four at the same time was a mistake, especially if they are bringing allies. Senitir behaved like a prideful fool." 

At this point, Litta leaves the room without saying a word. It is easy to see that she has had enough of this torture. Those that are more perceptive notice that she is crying. 

Letting Litta go, Utar eyes Aleyd and Moneus to see if either would follow the dragonborn. He stays rooted in his seat. To be so close to answers, he has to stay.

"So the attempt on my life and on Litta's and the murders of Abet, Ilim, Grewalt and Burga, that was the three of you? Framing us for the murder of Lord Valero was just another part of the plan to ultimately restore Zhentarim power in Phlan using House Brokengulf as a cover?"

Given the information Chaab has just divulged, Utar takes the answers to his questions as a given, but he has to ask them regardless. Leaning forward in his chair, he studies Chaab's face, trying to catch any lie of omission that might be forthcoming.

"Only thing I'm not clear on is the how and the why of it. Why carry the grudge all this time? What was so important that you track us down years later?"

Insight - 25

Turning to Ekmong for a final query, he adds, "Presumably Senetir's divided loyalties is news to you?"

(OOC Have already taken 2 from the skill roll.)

Graxx feeling confident that Chaab is talking freely does not do anything to further antagonize the Drow.

Graxx also feels relieved as he believes that maybe Utar and his crew are now finally safe.

Graxx begins to think to himself if it is safe to let Chaab live instead of executing him.

Graxx will remain silent for the time being and let Utar get some answers.

"We know a proxy was involved in at least one of the murders." Neya adds. "Am I correct in guessing that Senetir was taking advantage of House Brokengulf's connections in that and any other incident?"

Insight: 18

Doozey nodded appreciatively to Ekmong, but would refrain from further dancing around the -- to him at least -- awkward, if not painful subject of child retrieval. Turning back to the other "conversation", he listened with rapt attention, and determined not to even flinch this time. A task far easier, if though with a grimace at the thought, when remembering the extent he had gone to root out and destroy the rogue lycan tribe.

Drawn away eventually by seeing Litta leave the room, Doozey would at least start to follow after her. But, if he sees Moneus or Aleyd making the same motion, the halfing catches himself, and leaves either of the pair to it with a nod of acknowledgement. But in looking back to again monitor the interrogation, there is a moment in which he chides himself in halfling.

If not stopped/If he is alone in pursuing Litta, he followed intending to be a comforting presence until she spoke up on her own.

Moneus nods at Utar and follows Litta back outside. He notices Doozey also initiating a general following motion and nods in thanks, relieving the stoutling form the task. 

Chaab remains silent after Utar concludes his first two questions about the four fallen companions and Lord Valero. Examining this silent expression for some seconds, Utar gets all the confirmation he needs. As for the "why of it", Chaab answers after looking one more time at his open thigh wound: "Senitir concluded that the time for us to make a push upward and restore Zhentarim rule in Phlan was near. He didn't want to run the risk of having you tormites interfere again, inadvertently or not. It started slow, one tormite at a time, but the hour to make the push was too close. Valero had to go and there were still three or four of you to take care of. The grudge fueled some of it, but it also made strategic sense. Well, to proud Senitir it did..."

Finding no obvious omission in Chaab's answer, Utar turns to Ekmong with a question. The tiefling does not hesitate: "It was indeed news to me. I was blinded by what I considered to be true friendship."

It is now Graxx's turn to remain quiet, but Neya has another question for Chaab. The Drow simply says: "Yes," though the word falls out of his mouth heavily. Neya understands this to be a sign that Chaab disagreed with Senitir's decision to use third-party assassination services. 

Aleyd warns: "We are coming to the end of my Zone of Truth pretty soon. I have it in me one more casting, but that'll be it. Let me know if you want me to refresh it or if you think we are about to wrap this up. I got all the info I needed to hear already." Cron agrees with Aleyd, which surprises both of them. 

Finally having answers should feel better than this, right?

Abet, Ilim, Burga and Grewalt all remain dead. Lord Valero is likely dead too.

Standing, Utar moves to follow Moneus and Litta from the room, he can at least commiserate with the living. Passing Aleyd on his way he lays a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"No further questions."

".... I.. I do have one or two questions, though, if that's it for ya, Mr. Utar." Doozey admits, and following a look to Cpt. Alyed for approval, strode forth just to stand front in center to Chaab. But not so close as to bait the Drow into taking his chances at stealing a weapon, if it can be helped in the heat of a moment. "If you would, Mr., uhm... Chaab. Did Senetir ever speak of potentially forging a deal with the fey, or draconic culitist in the city? Beside the lordling, did you or Senetir prepare other contingency in the event of your failure here, partial or otherwise?"

"And if so, what were they? And what, if any, means did Senetir or yourself use to contact each other, or other Zhentarim cells within or without Phandalin? And what were, if any, your cell's connections to criminal elements within Phandalin?" He asked plainly.

"I feel we have as complete of an understanding of the events surrounding today and the situation, at large, as we could." Neya assesses. "All is left is the state of Lord Valero, and whether he could be returned to this world."

(@OrI: I'll assume you meant Phlan, and not Phandalin. 😁)

Utar and Neya communicate that they are satisfied with the information they gathered. Doozey checks to see if it is alright for him to ask a couple of additional questions and hears no objection. Also wanting to wrap this up, Chaab keeps his answer short: "I heard something about a deal between the nearby fey and the Zhentarim, or with the leadership of Phlan at the time... I can't be sure. Regardless, that is far in the past as far as I know. As for the dragon cult, they are an enemy to us all." He pauses to hear the next question and then answers: "Incriminating you was the contingency plan should force not be enough to kill you. I personally planned to run away in the first opportunity should things start turning south, but that failed too."

Doozey tries to squeeze in a few more inquiries on the overarching workings of the Zhentarim. Chaab looks a bit perplexed by the questions, shortening his answers even further: "Like in any other organization, an array of different types of communications are used. Connections with the local crime guild, the Welcomers, had become spotty of late."

Moneus is no longer in the room to opine on any matters involving the Welcomers, and it is not so clear he'd want to openly talk about it in front of so many strangers. Speaking of no longer being in the room, Utar was not in here for these last few Q&As. He had left the room to find Litta and Moneus. He finds them in the front yard. Moneus is trying to console a clearly distraught Litta. When she notices Utar, before he can say a word, she wipes her cheeks and states: "I am glad we seem to have stopped the assassins that took half of our former group down. I'm willing to risk saying we are now no longer special targets of a specific shadowy sub-faction. After tonight's events, I am willing to put it to the test. I have already died once, after all. Tomorrow, I'll leave this city on my own. I cannot stay here knowing what I have participated in. There is no justice in what we have done here tonight. I'll leave on a cleansing peregrination and will not be followed by any of you. I suggest each of you seek the pardon of Torm in whatever way you see fit." She turns to face the floor. "You are better than this. Goodbye, Utar." She gently pushes Moneus' hands off her shoulders and begins to walk out of the Brokengulf grounds.

Inside, Aleyd warns: "We have time for one or two last questions under my spell. Anything after that may be clouded in lies again." She looks at Ekmong but the tiefling looks satisfied as well. Cron never felt this interrogation was his. Lastly, Aleyd gestures to Doozey and Graxx, in case they want to asks any last questions. 

Litta's words hit Utar like a punch to the gut. Feeling all of the air pushed out of his body, he slowly crumples down onto a pile of rubble. Watching Litta move off, he says nothing. He's not sure there's anything to say at this point.

Sitting amid cracked stones and mortar he knows that what they have delivered here is, at best, vengeance, not justice. Lord Valero's son is likely left without a father. Half his former comrades are still dead, Aleyd and Moneus are likely to fall into bickering, at best, given their allegiances and his first teacher appears broken and short of faith. If he is honest with himself, he knows exactly how she feels and marks her words carefully.

While he hasn't felt so low since he himself was questioned by Aleyd, he can't say he feels any guilt that Senetir and Yalek have expired or that Chaab and Caah now face summary execution.

Graxx places his silvered axe back on his hip and he places his hand on his pike... but then slowly removes it.  He look at Chaab.  Graxx approachs Aleyd and gives a slight bow and quietly says.

"I do not know where to go from here, Aleyd"

Graxx shakes his head.

"I feel the Drow is too dangerous to be left alive and should be slain for the previous killings and for trying to kill us.  Now, he cooperated so instead of killing him slowly like I was going to do give him a quick merciful death... but..."

Graxx looks Aleyd.

"What would a Paladin do?  What do you think I should do?"

 (@Lerus: Did. I. Stutter? Huh!? DID I!? .... lol. THanks for the correction. XD)

Doozey nodded once in thanks to Chaab, and started to scratch his head as if to claw out more answers. Though at Aleyd's warning, he winces, looks about the ground furtively for a moment, and then startles at a thought. He then looks up to Cron, seeming a little tentative at first, before straightening out as if bracing himself and asking, "It's not much of an apology, but if you wish, the last question are yours, uhm... Lieutenant."

Regardless of whether Cron takes his chance or not, without more to ask himself, Doozey voices as much, and looks to Ekmong regarding how they might proceed at this point.

Neya sits down, having a feeling of empty satisfaction.

Perhaps sometimes closure doesn't always what one is looking for.

Maybe it is the implications of what Chaab had revealed and confirmed that are weighing on her. They had found the Silent Wood client and the mastermind. But, what good will the information do? She thinks it may be a bigger problem than first glance. But her superiors may see it as a one-time occasion.

Nevertheless, she has some ruminating to do, herself.

Graxx and Doozey both pass up their claim to the last question, but Cron doesn't: "We have learned much form this interrogation, so I'll be plain with the chance given to me. Drow, go ahead and answer my question with a simple 'YES', no more no less. Has anyone else in this table, including the three Tormites who stepped outside, participated in the planning or execution of Lord Valero Bronkengulf's assassination?"

Chaab looks around the table and opens his mouth but no word spills forth. He tries harder, hissing in the process, but still no vocalization of the requested answer comes out. He gives up. Cron concludes: "Very well. That is that, then."

Aleyd announces the end of her spell and Ekmong promptly orders his soldiers to remove Chaab from the chamber, chair and all. Graxx asks Aleyd what a paladin would do if faced with the dilemma he is facing. She answers: "Whatever their oath demanded of them. I will ask that you stay your hand. The assassination of a noble will not go unnoticed. From the lowest gutter-dweller to the High Regent himself, people will demand answers. The two surviving conspirators will have to pay for their crimes, as justice demands it. I do not believe either of them will escape execution, but perhaps Cron and I can argue for a quick death on their behalf since they did cooperate in the end as you highlighted." She sighs heavily and adds: "If you must see to it with your own hands, perhaps I can also argue on your behalf and appoint you as the executioner for the day. I cannot guarantee I'll be able to pull this off but..."

Ekmong interrupts: "House Brokengulf can lobby for a say in the matter. We have learned much tonight and it was due in no small part to your group's actions. CRAP still owes much to House Brokengulf before their debt can be redeemed, but I can lend my aid in pushing for Graxx's name to be the one assigned as the executioner when the time comes, should he so wish."

Aleyd speaks again: "There is your answer. You get the revenge your barbarian self yearns for, but you'll do it in the name of justice, much like a paladin." Graxx is left to ponder but can't help noticing that Neya is lost in her own thoughts.

"All in due time," Ekmong says ready to move on to the next point and noticing Doozey's eyes on him. The tiefling declares "As the head of this investigation I hereby declare that no member of CRAP, no Tormite here present, no Black Fist official that I can see presently, and no Brokengulf servant in this chamber is to be charged or considered guilty of any conspiracy to assassinate Lord Valero Brokengulf as evidenced by the two complementary and truthful confessions heard in this chamber and witnessed by the numerous people here present. The proper documentation will be drawn up and sent to the Black Fist headquarters with haste. If there are any lingering doubts or questions may they be voiced now or the matter will be concluded immediately." Both Aleyd and Cron, in their capacities as Black Fist officers, raise their right hands and say: "I attest to the truthfulness of the statement."

They all turn to Graxx, Neya, and Doozey.   

Outside, Utar feels defeated. Before he can fall into deep thought, Moneus speaks up: "I better find my way back to the Welcomers' hidey hole before the authorities inside start pointing their fingers toward the next shadiest person in here. It's better that they think of me as a Tormite first, and a thief second." He places a hand on Utar's shoulder without locking eyes. "It may be a while before I see you again, dear friend. Stay safe." His hand leaves Utar's shoulder but the tiefling remains by the half-orc side. Utar lowers his head for a few seconds, only to notice that Moneus has disappeared from sight once he raises his head again. He hears in the wind, not knowing from which direction the words arrived: "She always was the wisest among us." 

Graxx breathes out as he looks to Chaab.

"I do wish to be the one to deliver the blow.  I would be glad to carry it out on the other as well.  They all played a role in killing of Utar.. And of the Lord of course."

Graxx nods to Aleyd.

"Thank you for your advice.  I would rather deal the killing blow in the heat of battle but this is the right way.  I will work to consider the Paladin ways in the future."

Graxx turns to Ekmong.

"I am sorry you lost your Lord.  Lord Valero treated us fairly and gave us work.  I am glad to know it seems all evil-doers in this plight have been caught.  If you ever suspect another Zhent group is up to trouble don't hesitate to call on us."