"I've always found it best to begin with the bartender," John agrees, some implicit approval in this rejoinder.

Any of these options would be a promising start. John has wound his way through such assemblies over and over. After all this time, the different paths one might take through a packed tavern become rote.

"Avoid the ones who look as if they've bitten into something rotten," is not advice Ellie actually needs, but John says aloud as a caution to them both. "I'm inclined to send you to see what you can gather from the man tending to his accounts, if it won't be too much of an imposition."

An accountant on their own might offer up a very clear picture of the opinions held by captain, quartermaster and crew. And there's some measure of good faith in it: Ellie can guide conversation in such a way that the topic will come naturally.