Only slightly unsettled by the ambush, the baron looked at us. "Thank you for coming to our aid." he said. I bowed my head. "Say nothing more. It was the right thing to do. The county itself would weep if the people were to lose a member of the noble Swiftheart family." I said. His lips curled slightly. "You really think our blood is that precious, do you?" he said mockingly. "I've heard that while unfavored in court, the people know who tends to their needs when they are in trouble." The baron hummed to himself and looked out to the guards. "Men, ready yourselves! We depart in 5 minutes. An open road is no place to dwell after an ambush!" he commanded. The men followed orders and got to work resetting their formations. Unfortunately, a couple of the men died in the attack. Their bodies would have to be carried on their horses until they could find time to care for the corpses. We continued at a safe distance like before. It was still a few hours before we could get to the castle. Petras was having a rough time of it. When we got to the stables, I left Jeran in charge. We were here.
I rejoined the baron and Fabien. Anthony also joined the group as we entered the castle. A man and woman were waiting for us in the main hall. They looked remarkably similar to the other Swifthearts. "Father! You've returned to us." the man said as he approached us. The baron rebuffed him with a raised arm. "Not now Simon. We have had a long day. There was an ambush by brigands on the road." he said. The 2 looked shocked. The baron then began to detail the attack before going into the general scope of the trip. Eventually, attention turned to me. I introduced myself to them again. The baron cleared his throat and said "This man and his centaur companions have come to barter with us. His jewels are for sale for a fair price. We have been encouraged to give gifts to gain favor." Simon raised an eyebrow. "And who will we give them to? People do not care for us." he asked. "Influential and vain nobles of high status. If none can be found, there are bound to be spouses or children that have their ears. A few diamonds and sapphires might get them to." I reached into my bag.
Pick a few choice pieces, I handed them to the lady of the castle. "A trinket only half as beautiful as you, my lady." I said. She looked at them and said "These are quite a pretty set of jewels. I could see myself wanting them for myself. I think it will work if we do this." I was totally ignored. That was still as fine as me. Simon looked at me and said "And how much did you want for them? This must be out of something beyond the kindness of your heart." I shook my head and replied "I already spoke with the baron. My lord will determine it's true worth and give me a fair price in coin." They looked at the baron. He looked at me. "I assumed all that talk was just the bluster or your insufferable gentleman act." he said. "Nonetheless, I place my trust and fortune with you." I said. His lips curled up again for the second time today and said "That faith might be misplaced. Have you considered that?" "I would be a fool to not consider it. I believed the story I have heard that the Swifthearts are upright and just." was what I said. They quieted down. "For a knave, you know how to flatter." Anthony joked.
Quickly, I said "All in a day's work for someone of my skillset." The baron glared at me. I took that as my cue to shut up. That was the end of the conversation. I gave all the jewels I had to the baron and his sons personally and was then shown to my room. I still had the bars of gold in the bag with me. I was shown the way back and forth before I was left alone. I made sure to keep an eye out for any soft targets in the castle. There were things I was sure that I could nab, but I knew better. I was already made as a thief. Being under strict watch was simple to assume from them. Getting caught for something stupid would not benefit me at all. Normally, I would not get to be a guest of a noble. The centaurs were still getting up to trouble in the stables. Petras being in heat and Jeran attending to him was a very scandalizing thing to see. It was more so for the young servant boys that worked there. I was the one reprimanded for it. I could only nod and bear it. There was nothing that I could do about it and it would sort itself out in a few days anyway. It was fine. The baron appraised the jewels.
