A dark look fell over Guthbert's face as Lothair made his observations, and it grew a bit darker still as Boran made his point. It was passing, though, like a fleeting shadow, like a cloud that had merely lingered for a breath before being blown away. The noble exhaled, and he wore a more somber expression.

"I suppose if you are so keen on knowing a little more of my difficulties, I should acquiesce. You are right, of course - there have been others who went before you, and they're no longer with us." Guthbert's eyes flicked to the fire. His voice was tired as he spoke, and he took a seat at the table with the mercenaries. "But saying that sort of thing doesn't typically encourage people to take up your cause, does it?

"I don't know precisely what lurks in the old keep. I can tell you that no less than three other bands of warriors have gone before you, and none have returned. One didn't even make it to the village of Halden before being routed by bandits." Guthbert rolled his eyes; apparently, he didn't think highly of that group. "Nevertheless, there is [i]something[/i] besides bandits in the countryside. The forest has been stretching out, growing faster than it has in the past, and people have been simply vanishing in the night. The peasants say they've seen impossibly tall shapes moving through the treeline, and they've awoken in the night to the sound of their herds being ripped to shreds. Personally, I don't know what to believe.

"But I do know that I want that filthy pit cleaned out!" he finished with a thud of his fist on the table. It took the man a moment to calm down, and he spent that time with his eyes closed. Then he continued: "With banditry on the rise and deserters from the wars around us likely to run to Beldemar, well... I'd rather not have to send my personal retinue." Guthbert sighed, leaning back into his seat. "And so you see why I'm willing to pay a hefty price for a solution. Solve my problem for me and you'll live richly 'til the end of your days. You could retire with the reward I'm offering.

"There is... one other matter." Lord Guthbert slowly rose from his seat, flicking a glance about at the small collection of mercenaries. "I am a collector of objects of historical value. Should you find anything from the era of the Aldonian Empire, I would be grateful - that is, I will see you are rewarded - if you would bring those objects to my estate here in Benetia. And trust me, I can reward you in either more wealth or in... tools that befit your trade.

"So," finished the man, clapping his hands together, "do we have a deal?"