"I'll see when I level out. Lotta people level out."

Nod. "Well. Lemme know your departure date, I guess, not that I have that many loose ends to tie up here."

"Where're you staying?"

He gives an address downtown.

She writes it down.

The next morning she swings by to see if they're hiring her party.

"We can do four thousand," Luay tells her. "I don't have the authority to negotiate that, either, it's from the prince."

"Wow. If I go without backup and get killed in my sleep will my insuring church be after you guys for the diamonds?"

"Nope, that's up to you. I'd hire someone cheaper than a eighth level wizard to watch my back, personally."

"Yeah, the eighth level wizard can stay home. I'll take it but I won't take five like it, if you know what I mean."

"Absolutely. Good luck out there, we're very excited about this."

"Thanks."

She goes to pick up Hagan.

In the promised location.

"They're only giving me four K."

"Ridiculous. They could shake down the peasants for twice that if they put some spirit into it."

"I can make a little extra on my bet and on selling anything I pick up there that people want up here, though that's not really my area. Still. Rather not get eaten by an ooze in my sleep."

"I said I'm in."

"Well, are you packed?"

"Ah huh!"

"All right, time for a ten mile unchaperoned hike followed by spelunking, bring your potion of cure moderate reputational wounds."

Off they set.

"I'm not trying to marry any nice teenagers whose father or brother is a cleric. My reputational wounds can heal with bed rest."

"Oh, I was planning to steal it. My reputation is very important to me and there's this rumor going around that I'm a potion thief, can't have that."

"Oh no. I had no idea, or I'd have stocked up for you."

"I forgive the oversight," she says magnanimously. "You remembered the goggles?"

"Ah huh."

"I am optimistic that this will be fun. After the two hour hike."