Zhash blinked a few times before realizing that whom he was seeing really was Atlas. Zhash put out his hand to stop Atlas from taking any more wine, "Whoa, buddy. Calm down now...There you go."
Zhash sat back in his seat, his hand on his chin. He emitted a quiet, but drawn out whistle, "The Montagriefs, you say? What might you be doing trying to learn about the Montagriefs? Wait, dont tell me. I don't want to know. I will tell you what I know, though."
Zhash took a sip of his wine before continuing, "The Montagriefs are perhaps one of the most powerful families in Amoria. During the turmoil of not so many years ago, they used their wealth, military power, and charisma to snatch up most of the land. Nearly all of the Montagriefs hold high postions in nearly all the cities. I wouldn't be surprised if there were half a dozen or more Montagriefs at this very banquet." Zhash looked around, almost as if he expected to spot a Montagrief listening in on their conversation. Leaning in closer and motioning for Atlas to do the same, Zhash whispered into Atlas' ear, "It is rumored that they also work very closely with a secret society of religious zealouts who claim to be the prophets of some sort of moon god. No one really knows who these people are, but they are said to be a very influential group, perhaps even more powerful than the Montagriefs themselves. Whatever they are, neither them or the Montagriefs are ever up to any real good for Amoria."
Zhash sat back again, waiting to see how Atlas took what he had just been told and hoping he had said the right things.