"Ah yes, the something something clause inducted by Emperor Sigismund the IV." Malcador remarked sagely, clearly poking fun at Emmaline, but not too surprised when she nodded enthusiastically, buying every word. The celestial mage rolled his eyes, and took Emmaline by the arm to lead her aside. 

"What?" Emmaline asked, trying to peek over his shoulder at the chest. 

"Even if we help them, they aren't going to give us the gold!" He whispered to her, trying to shake her back into reality. Sigmar, the dwarfs from Zhufbar had been less enthralled when they saw gold. There was an insanity to her eyes that unnerved him. It seemed to flow in one our and out the other, and he decided to speak slowly: "Emma, that gold is meant for the Emperor. Not. Us... We. Cannot. Have. It." 

"I know that!" She protested, a bit too loudly. Her next words were softer, embarrassed. "I know that..." 

"They might be rewarded if they help, right?" Humper asked Clodfoot, and Malcador almost fell over as the gold lust burst back into Emmaline's face like the sun. Despite how crazy she seemed, Emmaline Von Morgantsern had an odd way of titillating Malcador at every turn. It looked just like how she might look if... He let the thought go. If they were smart they would take these 3 sacks of gold and go, but there was no stopping her now. If he dragged her out of there, she very well might be mad at him for a week. It was better than the both of them being dead, but somehow he could not quite bring himself to do it. 

He must have been as crazy as her. He turned to the halflings, who watched expectantly.

"We'll help," Malcador said, and Emmaline gave out a squeal and a jump. Malcador sighed. "The key word is help, herr halflings. I don't intend for my lady friend or myself to be harmed. Once we get there, you'll also personally commend us to the Duchess Elize von Skaag, or whatever official you're to meet. Do we have a deal?"