A bag of gemstones

"I can pay you another way." You smile in anticipation as you see the proud noblewoman fumbling with the high collar of her robes. It seems that in spite of her outward display of modesty and **** that this fine noblewoman of Athenapolis knew what it was that men wanted. You are more than a little disappointed when instead of pulling the embroidered robes off and getting down to business with you she pulls free a small pouch that must have been dangling between her breasts. The disappointment is almost all gone when she pours just some the contents of the sack out into her palm. Five or six perfectly cut gemstones glimmer in her palm. A clear, blue-white diamond, two rubies, a dark blue sapphire and a square cut emerald almost as big as the tip of your little finger are clustered together like candies in a jar and the bag is still more than half full - damn. That one bag might have as much value as the entire chest of gold and silver, all for the weight of a small orange.

"Is this be enough to convince you that I'm serious, Rider?" There is a slight curl to her pretty mouth and you realize that she is laughing at you. Does she think that with enough money she can make you take this outrageous risk?

"That's enough to make me consider helping you." It would be churlish to deny that what she was offering was a significant sweetener to what otherwise seems a fool's errand.

"You can have them all, Rider," her fingers close over the jewels hiding them from your sight, "once you've brought me to see the Lord Marshal." Has this gentlewoman considered the possibility that you might just take the pouch by ****? You watch her carefully pour the cut gemstones back into the leather pouch shaking your head sadly.

Free-Riders are known to be scoundrels with questionable morals. You've certainly done your share of looting and pillaging and have even captured your share of free-women to be handed over and sold into slavery, but you are not a thief. One of the most fundamental pillars in your own personal code of honor is that if people treat you fairly, then you do the same.

"Put those away Lady Kiriakolis." You turn away from the noblewoman and wander back to check the status of the drake-wires that block any chance of your escape. The South tower wires are down already, you see the drakes circling down as their Riders pick likely target to raid, but over your part of the city the wires are still present. You're not going anywhere, not yet anyway. You can see organized groups of hoplites moving deeper into the city and perhaps even more worrisome, gangs of mercenaries are advancing well ahead of the regular lines looking for plunder on their own. It's going to be a close thing, but in a way that helps make you make up your mind. Turning back to Lady Relia you tell her your decision.

"I'll take you if the drake-wires fall, but I'll need one more thing to seal the deal." You grin wolfishly. "If I'm going to die, I don't want to cross the river Styx with blue balls." Judging by Lady Relia's puzzled expression, it is clear she's never heard that expression so you spell it out for her.

"I haven't had sex in over a week; I need some pussy, and I need it now."