Underdark- Black Web Region

Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas

Broken Quarter- Peach Pit

Aaron looked at Bill and the others stunned, "A month...I will pay your two gold per week until the job is done. If you can get it done in two weeks." Aaron told the accountants. He needed the account books balanced out and to find out where all their money was. Someone would eventually come calling for the Guilds payout and Shifty had given him the only funds they had on hand. Quincy would have his fees in within the week. He had no idea when the other two possible Barons would show up, but he would give them a week to get their houses in order before doing anything.

Bill looked at the others, they shrugged and he turned back too him. "Two gold per week until we are caught up. We will work out of here but no more than twelve-hour days. Agreed?" Bill offered and Aaron took the man's outstretched hand with a smile.

"Agreed. I know it will probably be bad news, but whatever it is, just give it to me. I don't want us to face a commission or have our Charter revoked.' Aaron told them. All three nodded but all were clearly exhausted having worked all night. 'Go get some sleep. Either go home or grab a room here, up too you. Start work tomorrow." Aaron told them and they all nodded in thanks as Aaron placed two gold coins in front of each of them before leaving.

"How we looking?" Willy asked as he stepped up to the bar.

Aaron snorted in disgust, "Two weeks if we are lucky and Bill and his people can pull a miracle out of their asses. They are exhausted from working all night if they choose to stay here, send me the bill." Aaron told the bar and inn owner who nodded in agreement.

"Are you going to authorize a party for us, for Founding Day?" Willy asked and Aaron chuckled.

"My funds are stretched thin covering everything. Until we find out how badly Jonas bent us over the barrel, I don't know what money we have to use for parties.' Aaron replied and Willy just kept staring at him. Aaron threw his arms up in frustration, 'FINE! I will find the money somewhere, just don't let it get out of hand and don't burn down the place." Aaron told him causing Willy to smirk.

"From what I remember, it was you, your brother, and Jonas screwing around that almost burned the place down," Willy replied before laughing.

"Exactly, so I know what I am talking about," Aaron replied quickly.

Willy laughed harder, "Shouldn't you be going and getting pretty for your hotie-totie party in the Inner City?" Aaron glared at him and stomped off to his renewed laughter.

Underdark- Black Web Region

Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas

Inner City- House Ishala Estates

Dark lights lit the pathways leading into and around the estate. Dozens of Nobility and rich well off people were present, including several envoys from nearby cities and Races. Being clothed as he was, allowed Aaron to slip in among them once his name had been acknowledged by the Guards of House Ishala. Apparently, Corina was content to see what he would do or did not care. Either way, he was not here to steal anything despite what Natash or Corina might think.

"I am sorry, who are you again?" the Merchant asked and Aaron smiled as he sipped at his drink

"Aaron Sumner sir, the late Jerimiah Long was a distant uncle of mine. The family has been busy trying to figure out what to do with his estate and which of us would take over his holdings. Finally, it fell into my lap to take care of everything.' Aaron replied as recognition flared in his eyes. 'Truly, it has been a sordid mess to clean everything up." Aaron lamented, but the feeling was real even if the context was not.

The man frowned, "I thought another nephew of his took over, a Jonas or something."

Aaron gave him a smile as he activated Magnetic Personality. "No, I am sorry to say, my cousin died rather tragically. He made some bad investments, and they were called due rather recently. That is why I was appointed to take over. You see, the family never really approved of him taking over, so when they heard I was nearby, they asked that I take over the situation clean everything up that both deaths have caused.' Aaron replied and he could feel the Merchant was starting to feel uncomfortable with this line of thought and the possible questions it could lead too. 'Tell me, how did you know my cousin Jonas?" Aaron asked as he moved closer too the man.

The man frowned and tried to move back but the man behind him glared at him and he stopped. "He was a distant business associate. A passing acquaintance, nothing really to know." the man bumbled.

Aaron smiled and moved a step closer, "Why don't you tell me all about it. You might feel relieved and less pressured if you do. A guilty conscience can be so weighing." Aaron told him but before the man could respond Corina joined them. The man used the distraction to getaway.

"So, Master Sumner, are you enjoying our fair city?" Corina asked with a sweet smile.

Aaron let his eyes roam and noticed a half dozen of the House Guards and two other Drow females had floated closer. "I find it absolutely riveting. You have an interesting city here, far more lively than the last place I lived miss?" Aaron prodded causing her to smile.

"I am Corina, First Heir of House Ishala, Master Sumner. I am glad you are enjoying your stay so far. Do you plan on putting down roots, or are you passing through?" Corina responded.

Aaron gave her a charming smile as he grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it causing all her guards to move closer, "It is an honor to meet such a distinguished person. As far as putting down roots. I plan on moving into my late Uncles home after the renovations on it are complete. For the foreseeable future, I will be overseeing my family's interests here. As I was telling the Merchant, the late Jonas Ele'tharamas took over my Uncles estate without my family's blessing. He made some very bad investments and it led to his death sadly.' Aaron told her as he moved closer. 'Certain heads of my family know they can trust me. I am now cleaning up the mess left behind by their deaths. Apparently, my cousin was not alone in making bad business decisions, so I have been tasked to see how bad it really is and root it all out." Aaron told her causing Corina to frown as she read between the lines.

"So, do you trust the heads of your family?" Corina asked in response.

Aaron gave her a sad smile, "I have no choice but to trust them to a certain extent. Either way, I have a task to perform, one which will require my attention for the foreseeable future.' Aaron replied closing the conversation. 'Your family has done a marvelous job, do they do this every year?" Aaron asked steering the conversation elsewhere.

Corina frowned, he could tell that conversation was not done. "Yes, my mother is the first Matron and Steward of the city. It is both a responsibility and a pleasure to host this party.' Corina moved closer this time causing more than one guard to tense. 'You promise that you are not up to anything?" Corina asked and Aaron smiled and stepped back.

"Thank you for the invitation Lady Ishala, but I do not think your mother would appreciate us disappearing so early in the evening. If you want some male companionship, I am certain there are more then a few here that would enjoy your companionship." Aaron told her before bowing to her. Corina glared at him before looking around and walking off, the guards flocking after her.

Aaron was busy feeling out the various Merchants when a couple of the House Guard cornered him, "The Matron wishes to speak to you. Follow us." the Guard told him and Aaron could see at least two others blending into the crowd. Aaron gave him a carefree smile and followed the Guards and they wove threw the crowds and into the main house.

"Do I need to turn over my weapons?" Aaron asked and the Guard snorted.

Battle Alert...

Debuff Guards Mark: Recieve 5% more damage from all sources, Cannot activate Stealth (Duration 5 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

"Don't worry, the Matron can defend herself if necessary and there is nowhere you can go that we won't find you." the Guard responded. Aaron smiled at him but inside he was seething. This was all part of the plan and had prepared for it. He had begun to worry that they had not detected his break in earlier. The question was, had Corina given him away or not, or had he missed something when getting in and out of the main vault.

If worse came to worse, he could fall back on Anonymus. It would break the Guard Mark and allow him to disappear into Stealth, but then his new facade would be destroyed on the first day. Better that than spending the next couple years in chains as a prisoner or worse, slave.

"Nervous?" the trailing guard asked.

"This might be my only chance at making any business arrangements with this House. Eager, nervous, are just a few feelings I have.' Aaron replied absently. The guards looked at each other but said nothing more as the descended below the main floor and followed the long hallway to the main vault. 'Where are we going? I would assume we would meet the Matron somewhere else." Aaron absently asked. Neither guard chose to respond as the drew closer and closer to the vault. Turning the finale corner revealed another half dozen House Guards, two women, and the Matron studying the open vault doors.

Several Golems were located on the inside just on the other side of the door, but they made no move to oppose Aaron or anyone standing there. From experience, he had learned that they wouldn't move until someone crossed the threshold off the vault. "Ahh, Master Sumner, so glad you could join us. You seem to cause trouble wherever you go at my party, and you grabbed my oldest daughter's attention. This is a rare thing considering no male has grabbed her attention in thirty years. If you were bound to a House, I would make an offer to them for you to spend more time with her to figure out what infatuation she has with you.' Matron Ishala told him as she looked at him and studied his clothing and gilded blades at his belt. 'Now on to why you are here at my family Vault. Apparently, it was broken into earlier this evening, yet nothing was taken and the Golems were not even disturbed. Surprising a Thief of that skill breaking in, yet not taking anything at all. What is your opinion on the matter Master Sumner?" the Matron asked as she stepped into his personal bubble.

"Well, he or she could have been looking for a specific item. If you did not have it, maybe he or she was not willing to risk stealing anything else.' Aaron surmised or perhaps they were just testing your defenses to see if they could get by them." Aaron theorized.

The Matron nodded absently and stepped into the vault and gestured for Aaron to follow her. He followed her as if he didn't have a care in the world. "Both are sound theories, both were also my original thoughts as well. However, there is a third possibility.' Matron Ishala told him. 'The Thief could have placed something inside the Vault." the Matron surmised.

Aaron gaped at her, "You think someone left a weapon in here. An explosive or poison? Surely not." Aaron responded acting aghast at the idea.

"NO!' the Matron snapped. 'There are magical Wards and protection on this vault, if any weapon was left, it would be detected. If the worse were to happen, the vault would automatically be sealed and an explosion or gas would be contained." the Matron responded.

Aaron nodded and smiled as if relieved. "So what do you think was left instead?"

The Matron gave him a tight smile. "Something that was stolen some months ago. This item has an immense value to a very small group of people. Now it's suddenly back...It makes me wonder why it was stolen in the first place or why it was returned."

Aaron cocked his head at her in confusion, "Ok...well. I don't know how I can help with that since I wasn't here when the item was stolen, nor do I know what was stolen in the first place Matron." Aaron replied and the Matron nodded her head but continued to study him like a bug.

"Your 'Uncle' was a good man and had an understanding with certain powers within this city. I am glad someone is taking over the family business that understands that.' the Matron replied with a slight smile. 'I will make certain that you will continue to receive invitations to necessary events, Master Sumner. I can see Master Long's legacy is in good hands, you can go now." the Matron dismissed him. Aaron gave her a big naive smile and walked away and out of the vault.