Humper drew two leather bags from the chest and tossed one to each of the wizards. Emmaline snatched both of them from the air with a grace she displayed in zero other aspects of her life, clutching them both to her bosom possessively. Her fingers began to unconsciously massage the bags, as though the clink of metal was the most wonderful thing she had ever heard. Malcador lowered his outstretched and still empty hand and peered at her for a moment.

"Why do you have so much gold?" Emmaline asked, glancing lustily towards the chest.

"None of your business Goldilocks!" Humper snapped.

"We didn't just hear about an assassin," Malcador said. Humper drew another pouch from the chest and moved it back and forth, deliberately drawaing Emmaline's rapt gaze, then tossed it to Malcador. Emmaline lurched towards it but was unable to catch it with both her hands occupied. The Celestial wizard snatched the pouch and quickly tucked it away.

"Well now we are warned it will be safe," Humper declared.

"Safe?" Clodfoot groaned from his bed, he sat upwards and glared at the humans.

"We won't be safe until this money is delivered to the Imperial Palace, it is for... sensitive diplomatic negotiations," the emissary declared, casting a glare at Malcador whom he now remembered had punched him in the face.

"Well we will just be going and leave you to..."

"Malcador," Emmaline scolded, "we can't just leave all that lovely gol... I mean these noble citizens of the Empire to their own devices.

"It is our duty as members of the... something something..." she trailed off, completely enraptured by gold fever.