*Alix makes quite sure that they are completely alone (even including the gnome--anyone could be a spy) before beginning.*
"Vark was involved in piracy and smuggling of exotic animals and beasts. When we approached him about this, he attacked us with a crew of thugs. We managed to thwart him with relatively little violence, and no women were harmed, but unfortunately, one of the creatures Vark had imprisoned escaped during the encounter and started killing people and lit the ship on fire. We easily defeated the beast and put out the fire without any harm to the vessel, but in an ironic twist, the weight of his own sins brought about Vark's end, as we were then too late for him, and another of his thugs or two were mauled by the monster. We are now in possession of your gold and your ring for entering the vault, both of which I bestow upon you now," Alix hands them over, "I have some other details I can share if you need further help from me and from my brave comrades, but I would not wish to presume such without the assertion of your desire."