With a quiet chuckle, Cassius shook his head.
"The orphanage already has enough money. We don't need more. What I do want…" His voice hardened, though his smile remained. "…is to know if you've already complained about the bandit situation to the Valheim family. And if you have...did they do anything in response?"
The fat merchant shifted his weight uneasily, the coin pouch still in his hand. His earlier gratitude gave way to a more cautious, almost guarded expression.
"We...have complained." He admitted after a long pause, his voice dropping in volume. "Many times. Not just me, merchants, farmers, caravan masters...anyone who travels the trade roads."
"The bandit raids have been getting worse for years now. We've sent letters, petitions, hell, we've even gone to their seat in Valheim City ourselves."
Cassius tilted his head. "And?"
The merchant's lips twisted in something halfway between a bitter smile and a grimace.
