1. Silvershield Estate

Stella whispers her hypothesis and evaluation to the party. Caliope's father had worked with the Zhents frequently. Perhaps they could be valuable allies, especially in a city where they likely had access to their secret information network.

Back in armor and with all his weapons, Dieter guards the Duke and Aldous in Entar's office. Koveras is there as well, looking much better than the night before.

Entar, still fuming over his daughter's scandal, snatches a rapier off the wall and buckles it to his waist. "Hiding in my own office from two men, under guard. I am no coward."

Koveras raises a hand to calm the Duke. "Your Grace, at least one of them is a mage. We don't know what he's capable of. None here believe you a coward."

"think of it as a privilege of office" Dieter says "besides, we aren’t hiding. They know exactly where we are." Dieter shifts his armour and examines the room for entry points.

Aldous winces. "Is that supposed to make us feel better, Horns?"

He pulls a wand out of his sleeve and grips it tightly, glancing at the room's walls and corners.

Entar waves his hand dismissively at Dieter. "This office is secure. They'd need a battering ram to get through that door."

"No, but that’s why I’m here with you." Dieter admits "Stella and Aiwë can take care of themselves. I’d hate to be a wizard in an arcane duel against them."

Aldous nods. "Well that makes sense, since you'd make a terrible wizard."

He looks at Koveras and points his thumb at Dieter. "Did you know Dieter's learned some magic?"

Koveras snorts. "I'd hate to be in any kind of a duel against them."

He glances at Dieter, eyes flicking to his horn-like branch crown. "That is new. What other secrets have you got, Dieter?"

"Ive got a few new secrets" Dieter replies with a smile. As far as he was concerned Koveras was a warlord in waiting or worse an active agent of their enemy. He stood a lot to gain from his adopted fathers death.

"Do you find them distracting?" Dieter asks referencing his horns.

Koveras' eyes trace the curves of the branches. "Not in a bad way. I'm just curious as to what they mean. Have you become a druid or shaman of some sort, or are you a fey prince in disguise?" He shrugs. "But a little mystery isn't harmful."

Aldous chuckles. "Ha! Dieter, a prince of any sort!" He squints at the branches. "Though it does look like some sort of a crown, doesn't it?"

"interesting observations." Dieter replies. "It’s source comes from an ancient evil, Nunya"

"Nunya!" Aldous exclaims. "Sounds... Netherese, or something!" He looks at Dieter with wide eyes. "What's Nunya?"

Aiwë listens to Stella's information with despair. She had heavily suspected something was going on back in Nashkell. "This is what I get for trying not to micromanage. If you want something done right..." she glowers at the two.

"Why are you here? What do you want."

"Nunya buisness, my lord." Dieter answers

Xzar raises a hand, like a student in a classroom. "...have the zombies do it!"

Montaron rolls his eyes. "Playin' games are we? Ye called us here, an' here we be." He folds his arms tightly and looks up at Aiwe. "What is it ye want yerself, mongrel?" He looks past her to Stella and quickly dismisses the silver-haired girl. "Where's yer smith? The big lad. 'Shee-whatever'? I betcha he's the one with answers!"

Nunya... business... Aldous mouths, the grins brightly when he understands. "Oh! You've missed your calling as a court jester! Isn't he something, Father?"

Entar looks up from where he's been pacing. "What? Ah, yes, quite the clown. He certainly dresses the part." He waves a dismissive hand and goes back to wearing out the carpet.