Camilla's head was still spinning as Ricardo streched out, leaning back on his chair and allowing Cydric to fill his cup.

[b]"To wives and lovers,"[/b] he proposed, lifting his cup.

[b]"May they never meet,"[/b] Camilla completed and they drank down the toast.

[b]"Yes why are you here? Its a long way from Tratino,"[/b] Camilla inquired eagerly leaning forward to listen to the tale. Ricardo smiled, clearly enjoying the audience. He had changed since she had last met him, he was harder and leaner but the young man she knew was still there. She remembered watching him leap across a wide boulevard from roof to roof with the watch in pursuit, risk his last coin on a turn of the cards. They were pleasant warm memories of the Tilean summer but that seemed very far away.

[b]"It is a long way," Ricardo agreed, "[/b]as my ass reminds me to this very moment." He made a theatrical show of rubbing his rump and Camilla couldn't help but snort in amusement even though most of the journey had to have been made by sea. He grinned and then his face grew serious and he leaned in close.
[b]
"I have been given a task by the Contessa Di Raiario,"[/b] he said conspiratorially. Ricardo turned a sidelong glance to Camilla.

[b]"Certamente siamo amanti professionali,"[/b] he added for her benifit. 

[b]"Naturalmente io sottolineo," [/b]Camilla nodded her understanding.

[b]"Something very valuable has been stolen from her,"[/b] Richardo's Tielan accented Reikspiel sounded like it had too many syllables and rendered very valuable closer to berry baluable.

[b]"A piece from her Arabyian collection,"[/b] he went on. Camilla blinked in shock.

[b]"Maria Di Raiario is one of the foremost collectors of Arabyian artefacts and curios in Tilea,"[/b] she translated for Cydric. Some of those pieces were solid gold, some were rumored to be from fabled Khemri. They were also supposed to be amongst the most heavily protected collections in the land. Contessa Raiario was a notorious paranoid and kept a small army of mercenaries at her beck and call.

[b]"Tutto questo per un trinket degli amanti? Sembra un po 'molto," [/b]Camilla said skeptically, momentarily forgetting that Cydric didn't speak tilean. Ricardo spread his hands as if a fair point had been made.

[b]"There is money Camilla, of course there is money, but you are right. People start wondering how such a thing could be stolen, it wouldn't be a big leap to start asking how the Contessa's new companion might be involved. Dios, If I thought I could manage it I would have just ridden for Pavona or some other place and waited it out."[/b] Ricardo took another long drink and Camilla could tell that despite his outward facade the man really was concerned.

[b]"Maybe you too would be interested in helping, like I said there is money," [/b]he rubbed his fingers together in emphasis.

[@POOHEAD189]