"I confess, I am a little disappointed. I had hoped you had seen her within the past few days, since she departed Sthombo, for I already knew she had left that city and gone south. As you say, her questions may have had little to do with her true intentions. So what have I learned?" He holds out his empty hands. "Nevertheless, a deal is a deal. Cousin? Fetch the red coin purse, the one I showed you earlier, and give it to these men."
The woman immediately darts into the bedchamber and emerges with a small drawstring sack made of faded red cloth. She hands it to Mordred, who feels the shape and weight of coin inside it. The woman slinks back to her corner without a word.
"One hundred gold, as promised. You may count it before you leave, if you wish. I will only ask one more thing of you. If you should happen to see her on your travels, send word to my uncle, and more gold will await you when you pass through this village again. The last person who laid eyes on her saw her near the Mivil Bridge -- hardly the place one would expect to see her were she headed to Gurmar or Orsen, but perhaps she has chosen a nonsense route to confuse those who seek her? I only hope she can be found soon, and the unfortunate misunderstanding she has been thrust into may be sorted out. She endangers herself, and for no good reason. If the Implacable should find her before we do..." He makes a sorrowful moue with his face and shakes his head. "This could become an ugly situation, and I would be willing to pay any price I can to prevent that from happening. I will hope for the best. Safe journeys to you."
