He raises his arms expansively. "You stopped a lot of pirates! Made a lot of money!"

"Thank you."

"Is there gonna be a war?"

"Not if it's within our power to prevent one."

"Is it?"

"I have no power of prophecy."

"Does it seem likely."

"Yes. It's been a major focus for some time and things are largely proceeding as intended."

"What's the - counterforce, why's there a war trying to happen?"

"There is interest from several countries in Avistan that have invented new technologies of war to expand south and find somewhere to use them."

"Mm."

"We'd prefer that not spread widely."

"Understood."

"Anything else?"

"I don't think so. Thank you, Cicerone."

"If you'd stay a bit longer -"

"Of course."

...the rest of them can make a hopefully-subtle beeline for the exit?

"Hey!" someone calls out to them. Hagan freezes. But he's talking to Belmarniss. "Hey, are you here representing the drow?"

"...representing? No, I'm a free agent adventurer, why?"

"Oh, sorry. I knew people were looking for one but the betting pool was shaping up 'never going to happen' -"

"I mean, I am one, I'm just nobody official. Why are there bets on drow-finding?"

"There was a paper, arguing we ought to be trying to trade with 'em."

She snorts. She points at Fazil.

" - I see. Was he just trying to impress you or do you think it might actually work?"