After briefly kneeling before the emperor he straightened and dwelled on their location, Sam had hoped never to return to Paron, or at least not for a very long time, not wanting to let on his distaste in case of offending his fellow adventurers his grimace was quickly replaced with a smile [b]"Paron? Aye, I hear it's a good place as any to start"[/b]. If the time arose, he committed to telling his companions of his 'unfinished business' with Lord Orill of Paron, however they might well avoid his estate entirely on their way into the little town. 

Paron was not exactly on the other side of the known world, but nor was it a brief ride, so Sam was eager to depart. Tightening a strap on his sword belt he looked to their leader [b]"I may not be a man of righteous virtue, but this is a worthy cause, when do we leave Sayrin?"[/b] Sam questioned, bowing slightly in respect.

Whilst Sam hadn't entirely expected the Emperor's missive, he would have to have been a very inept spymaster indeed to not notice all the signs of a great evil creeping over the land, even on the way through the splendid capital things seemed amiss. People shying away into homes, shopkeepers with doors firmly closed. Aye, evil was afoot alright, and it needed to be stopped.