A stop for a second opinion

Even with the interlude and recovery, the day was an early success, and you were able to return to Drez by early afternoon. The heat was obnoxious as normal, but the taste of victory and easy going from here made it more manageable, somehow. Joan, holding the wizard's treasured prize lead the three of you through the streets. You started to become puzzled when you noticed her route had changed.

"Hey, Joan, what are you doing? We're not done"

"I know. I'm ensuring we get a fair deal."

"Okay, but we already agreed on that at the Wizard's Guild."

"Before we knew what the fuck this is" Joan held up the necklace for display "I still don't have a clue, to be honest. Do you know Clodagh?" The barbarian quietly shook her head.

"For all we know, this could be the find of a century, and if so handing it off for a spellbook and a crash course is getting robbed."

"That's al we needed. I don't see what the issue is."

"That's because you were born with money." Joan retorts quickly "you got this far by trusting me Silve, boor choice to stop now."

"Fair enough," you respond slowly, motioning forward with your hands "lead the way, Joan."

"Goodie" She said as she made a dramatic pivot on her feet to return to her plotted course. Things begin to look slightly familiar, as you return to the shop from yesterday: The Three Brothers.

"You're going to get a valuation on the treasure from these guys?"

"Sure" She said with a shrug, "Why wouldn't I?"

"They're goblins" You say flatly. Before you can add anything more, Joan intercedes. Though she was quick, she wasn't accusatory in her tone "You and Clodagh were able to rely on them yesterday. Besides, I like them."

Joan pushed the heavy door to the store open. Windowshades kept the space dark, but also cooler than the outside. There was a loud, disturbing metal clang in the back

"You clutz!"

"Never mind, we have a guest! Get out there!"

Holding his head in pain, one of the brothers raced out. Seeing Joan erased the discomfort, seemingly.

"It's you!" He called cheerfully

"Well if it isn't my favorite goblin triplet businessmen, right where I expected to find you. How is business?"

"Oh, you know how it is. Worse than we hope, better than we fear. You have something to sell today?"

"Not exactly" She said as she leans on the counter, placing the necklace flat on the table "My friends and I found this, and we're looking to find out what it is, and what it might be worth" With Joan resting on the counter with her elbows, it caused her butt to stick out. Absent mindedly, she swayed her hips side to side, creating a distracting side for you, even as you've officially sworn off her now.

"Hello friends!" The goblin waved to you and Clodagh "big day yesterday! Glad we helped out"

"Thank your brothers for everything" Clodagh chimed in. The goblin, his hand removed from his head, took the amulet and closely examined it.

"Well, I wouldn't advise this for a betrothal, or any sort of romantic gift."

"Because it came off of a dead guy?" Clodagh asked humorously

"No, no, no. That's fine. Killing for riches shows your committment and ability to maim and protect, vital skills. It's just not built for long wear"

"Interesting, care to explain?" Joan asked

"There's a spell imbued in this necklace. Some form of fire spell, presumably from the stones put in it. The same magic that keeps it together is also trying to destroy it."

"So it cancels out?" You ask

"There's only so much oomph in the necklace. No more oomph, no more necklace."

"Well, that's good to know. Now, how much do you think something would be worth?" Joan inquires.

"Couple hundred gold, I think"

"Guaranteed!" You all hear shouted from further back in the shop

"Are you looking to sell?"

"Not immediately" Joan said eyeing you for a moment "what could you do for a trade?"

"Let me see!" The goblin hurries off, leaving you to approach quickly

"What are you doing?" you ask quietly, but angrily "that's not yours to sell"

"Technically it's an exchange" Joan quipped instantly; her wit proving to be sharp and annoying in equal. "For that amount of money, plus risking our lives, we're basically giving this thing away for free. If you're comitted to that, let's at least make it worth our while"

"How do you figure that?"

"By replacing it with a more fair trade, and we pocket the rest in coin."

"There's something wrong with you Joan" You reply in contempt "are you allergic to sticking to your word?"

"I helped you out, didn't I? Besides, you have a better idea?"

"Stick to the plan. If it's as valuable as your friend says, someone in the guild will surely be able to compensate us with it."

"Are you really that gullible?" Joan asked

"Optimistic. Besides," you begin as you turn the tables "If I can trust you of all people, I can trust them?"

Joan raised her hands in feigned defeat "do what you want. For being a bard, you don't do a lot of listening, Silve"