Halia Thornton
The night before the Party is to leave town, Ilaverna "Verna" Isalo returns to her locked room to find Halia Thornton sitting inside. Halia stands and says that she must presently be on the good side of the Ladies of the Coin, because she lost one "interesting" potential partner but gained another. She is delighted to have a fellow compatriot from a TRUE civilization in the Lands of Intrigue back in her trading network. Halia tells Verna that she works for The Black Network to facilitate trade along the Long Road and the Triboar Trail and needs a new operative to support interests in the area. Halia believes that there is much opportunity in Verna's future, if she is interested in steady coin and the access to rare magical items that coin buys. Halia offers Verna a deal that would give her weekly payment and access to Zhentarim markets, in exchange for regular updates on any information she gathers while adventuring. She pulls out an easily-concealable Zhentarim charm, and says "I was confident enough in your interest that I brought this bauble for you to take to symbolize our agreement. You aren't going to be the first to turn down such an opportunity for an agreement of lucrative mutual benefit, are you?"Verna
“Why of course I wouldn’t turn it down,” Verna replies, a light sheen of sweat spreading across her brow. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this since I started traveling north.” She takes the charm with a (slightly nervous) smile. “I’ll be in touch—unless I die!”Halia Thornton
"See that you do, little sand viper. You're in business with the Black Network now. We will expect you to produce for us, but there will be much reward in return"