A stake out was set at the house belonging to Marlus Veridian, the Order of the Gorgon member tailed that day. Amos, Meriel, Ren, and Tor'in set up shifts, with Alcor arriving later. Tor'in tested Alcor's awareness and was unable to sneak up on him. Zarin stayed behind to focus on research, looking for information on any other cases of mirrored individuals like Niman Agerson.
Marlus left the manor early in the morning, and the group tailed him in an undercover carriage provided by Laybeth. They followed Marlus into the Everbright neighborhood to a building adorned with banners of the Order of the Gorgon. Amos recognizes it as an administrative building belonging to the guild. The group makes their way inside behind Marlus, and with a mix of threats and persuasion, meet with him in his office.
Amos tells Marlus that Niman is dead, but doesn't give details other than it was magically related. Marlus seems genuinely shocked by this news, and sends his secretary out to get some coffee and cancel his meetings. Tor'in follows her, taking note of the rooms and the lack of security. He sneaks off to grab some ledgers, and then returns before the coffee is ready to convince the secretary to make elvish tea instead.
Marlus gives the group a copy of Niman's proposal about increasing power and output from Arcstones. The proposal is dated for the 18th of Mais, about two weeks ago. Marlus's ledger shows that the Order of the Gorgon gave some supplies to Niman two days later, on the 20th. Tor'in notes that the ledger he found shows more specific details on the items given to Niman, including Arcstones and Kurunite. It's all under the "University special projects" category. Other students, such as Thelian Blackthorn, received items as well from time to time, but not as much as Niman's last entry. They are house donations from House Janius to the University.
With their newfound information, the party goes to see the Hollow Men and talk to Jenwynn. Meriel asks what sort of people want to smuggle arcstone, and specifically asks about the Order of the Gorgon. Jenwynn insists with a wink that the Order of the Gorgon is an upstanding group of Imperial citizens that don't mind paying taxes on arcstones and other products. The names of Marlus and Niman don't ring any bells for her, however.
The party realizes that they don't know how arcstone is smuggled from official sources. Could it be a rounding error? Skimming small amounts? Meriel wants to learn more about how it's officially distributed by the imperial government, and Amos says he can help find that out.