The nobleman is taken aback at the northerner's accent, and then smiles. "You look like just the man for the job! I could use a strong arm to pummel those thieves!"
The nobleman grabs a nearby table and motions for Pendrake to sit down, while looking at the two standing mages. "Gentlemen, would you care to discuss business terms?"
As interested patrons sit down (and the nobleman keeps a few chairs open for any other patrons to grab a seat while he talks), he begins a speech that he has obviously rehearsed a few times.
"My name is Cassus, of the Arimae family. We are nobles of Orussus - not one of the bigger families, mind you - and have enjoyed that title for many years. Almost fifty years ago, my grandfather Tellon fell in love with the woman who would be my grandmother - a beautiful woman by the name of Hellene. Hellene was from nearby Allimon, of the Merris family. And she was rich.
While Hellene fell in love with Tellon instantly, her family felt that my grandfather was "below" their daughter - can you believe that?" Cassus snorts, and then motions for the bartender to pour drinks for sitting patrons. "my grandfather knew he had to impress Hellene's parents, and so he commisioned the creation of the Arimae necklace."
Cassus takes a sip from the drink in front of him, and looks to see if anyone at the table is family with the necklace. Noticing that no one's eyebrows raise, he scowls into his drink and carries on. "The necklace, which is quite beautiful, was enough to impress Hellene's parents, who let her marry into the Arimae family the next year. The Arimae necklace was a bridal gift, and it has stayed within my family ever since. Until last night."
"It was stolen by a group of thieves. We had been having a birthday party for my youngest sister, Faria, and after much celebrating, we returned to our rooms. Sometime during the night, I heard a noise and came down, thinking it was our family cat. But when I came into the common room, I saw three THIEVES busily lifting the necklace from the mantle where it is kept! THey were all wearing dark blue clothing, with black scarves tied across their faces... I think I saw a pattern of flowers on these scarves, although it was dark and I could have been mistaken. There was a woman with a crossbow, a man with a rather large hat, and a very intimidating large man who held the necklace in his hands."
Cassus takes another drink. "When they saw me, the woman shot at me with her crossbow. I was able to dodge it, and ran upstairs screaming - to wake up the family, of course." he coughs in embarrassment. "When I came down again, with my younger brother Vanon, they were gone.
"This is where you come in. I wish to hire your services to recover the Arimae necklace before those thieves can sell it or accomplish whatever nefarious plan they have with it. Upon successful return of the necklace, I will pay each of you two hundred gold crowns. The necklace, by the way, is made of a platinum and gold alloy, and has three rubies set into the middle, with three tiny emeralds circling each ruby."
He looks at the group around him. "Are you interested in this deal?"
