Greet Lord Thiem.

“May I present, Town Councilman Lord Thiem,” he bows low.

Lord Thiem is a dignified looking man with graying hair and fine clothes. He sits at a table, and motions you both to sit. “Please, sit. And, Radley, fetch today's heroes each a pint of the finest ale in the house.”

Radley utters an affirmative and dashes off. You and Kheden make your introductions and sit on the bench opposite Lord Thiem.

“So, to business, then,” he straightens his shoulders. “The Town Council hopes you both are available for another job.”

You and Kheden share a glance, neither of you communicates objection. “We were hoping for a day or two of leisure before heading back to the capital, but we'll be happy to hear your request.”

“I think our job will prove profitable, and we'd be more than happy to show our appreciation with all the best our town has to offer upon completion,” he pauses, then continues. “I don't like the feel of the words on my tongue, but we may be having a problem with a haunted house.” He sighs, lowering his eyes for a moment. “There's an abandoned mansion up on the hill, near the cliffs outside of town. It's been a local myth for more years than I care to remember. It was built about 30 years ago by an alchemist. He mostly kept to himself, only coming into town to buy supplies. After a couple years, he hired a housekeeper, a poor local girl. She was parentless, penniless, and **** enough to leave town with him. I remember there were rumblings of concern, but the alchemist was just odd, not malicious. We didn't see him after that for a couple more years, at least. The housekeeper girl did all their shopping. She never spoke ill of him, I'm told.” Radley returns with your ales. They are indeed better quality than you usually buy for yourselves.

“Time went by, and we'd nearly forgotten what the alchemist looked like. Some farmers were hired to deliver food, and they confirmed the girl was still at the mansion. Then, suddenly one day, there was no contact from anyone. A couple of the farmers on delivery were scared off by... apparitions on the estate. The old council eventually sent some of the town guard up to investigate. They found the mansion abandoned and reported specters as well,” he pauses to let out another sigh of lament. “I'm not proud to say that the council just abandoned the estate and the housekeeper girl. Some good souls went searching through the forest of the estate, but came back with only some fantastic tales. No one wise has gone up to the estate since. We go around by way of the cliffs if we have need.”

“Now, that's the state of affairs leading to today. You also, unfortunately, noticed the rise in bandits in the area. That's a new and unrelated problem. We've put in a request for more troops from the capital. Though, our own guard has increased and widened patrols. To that end, while chasing what may have been a group of bandits, they passed close enough to the old alchemist's estate to notice lights on the grounds very close to the mansion.”

He leans forward, hushing his voice, “Most of these men are not the brightest, and some aren't particularly brave, as the job of town guard has been a relatively safe one until recently. They also grew up fearing the alchemist's mansion. The council would like to hire some sturdy adventurers such as yourselves who have less of an aversion to braving into a mysterious situation. There have been some disappearances, which may be due to banditry and foolishness in the forest, but otherwise, there hasn't been anything particularly malicious about the estate. It's more of a generational fear that is probably unjustified. Some of us would also like to know what became of the alchemist and his poor housekeeper. At worst, bandits may have set up camp on the abandoned grounds. In that case, you will report back to us, and perhaps you'd want to join a larger group to drive them out when our reinforcements arrive.” You and Kheden share another one of your glances of silent communication. Again, neither of you has a particular objection to this. It actually sounds a little mundane. “Ah, good,” Lord Thiem interprets your look accurately. “We're prepared to pay your rate, plus you may keep anything you can carry back from the mansion, so long as it isn't of great importance to Havensport. Do we have a deal?”

You and Kheden excuse yourselves and briefly discuss the terms. He assumes this is an easy job, with probably little to no danger. You settle on a price and return to Thiem. He agrees to your rate and settling your bill at the inn after you return.

“Excellent, excellent,” he gingerly shakes both your hands. “Also, as an aside, if you could retrieve the deed to the estate, that would be immensely helpful for our clerk's office. There are a number of farmers wishing to expand, but their own records were crude, and we don't currently have a clear boundary for the alchemist's original purchase. It would also be proper to have if he has any relatives that come inquiring, and perhaps for a sale after this nonsense of ghosts is put to rest in the town's minds. Of course, there will be a bonus if you can deliver the deed to my residence, as this endeavor is under my purview.”

You and Kheden also agree, and say your goodbyes after asking where you can buy some supplies. Radley gives you directions, and they both depart after thanking you for your forthcoming services.