Post-Dairon almost getting caught looking into the Beacon theft and infiltrating the Dynasty’s records, Essek is:
newly accompanied by palace guards, either guarding him or watching him
reluctant to directly name the specific task he set for the Mighty Nein only days before, not even mentioning the Beacons
very clear in stating that “interests above him” (but with a tone indicating this is not his personal desire) want more military intelligence and that the Bright Queen would be happiest if the Mighty Nein could provide more information that would put them in an “advantageous position” in that way
much more nervous and unsure of himself than he’s ever let the group see before
dancing around certain words and topics, like he’s convinced someone is listening in
Caduceus also got a Natural 20 (total 29) to Insight Check Essek about his response to hearing that the group thinks there are “people within the Empire working against the Empire, and people within the Dynasty working against the Dynasty” and Essek’s statement that he finds that “disconcerting” and plans to look into it, and Caduceus didn’t seem concerned or think Essek was lying.
Make of that what you will.
