Our group's purpose was to purge the bandits and find any hints about the missing persons.
Since the bandits are dealt with, we have to check their base [s]for loot[/s] to ensure that the missing persons are really not there, then we can go back and tell Sir Selvus that it wasn't bandits.

Even if you all abandon him, Leifr will see this quest to the end!

What if it was fabulous damsels in distress in need of a hero riding a noble steed? He's gotta duty to keep the noble Forbannet bloodline alive, after all.