<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/gfLuQID.jpg)</div><br/>Gloriosus held the glass of wine beneath his nose, and looked down at the table as the Dragonborn explained his plight. The High Elf took it all in with passive aplomb. He was aware of such familial feuds, but he thanked precious baby Pelor that his family was not embroiled in such tiresome wastes of time and resources. A swirl of the glass was followed by a delicate sip of the white wine, and Gloriosus held it in his mouth for a moment before swallowing it down.<br/><br/>"Truly, never in all my days would I imagine your plight to be great and your need so great." The High Elf said with a sage nod of his head, gracefully inclining it towards the merchant. "We shall, of course, do our utmost to resolve the matter for you in a manner that puts this whole wretched affair to rest." Gloriosus spoke candidly and surely, confident that the words he spoke were unvarnished truth. There were two Elves on the case - overkill, surely, for a matter so trifling as recovering some gaudy bauble that was the cause of internecine familial squabbling.<br/><br/>He reached for a small piece of something sweet from his plate of finger foods and popped it into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "Your foresight and wisdom are well-known to us, so I am certain you have already procured maps and guidance to the residence of your lady correspondent." The High Elf stated airily, as though it were already fait accompli, feeding into the merchant's self-image.<br/><br/>"As for the matter of recompense . . . your gratitude and generosity to those who do well by you are well-known to all, to say nothing of our close association. Along our journey we passed an orphanage that has seen far, far better days, my dear friend. Why, the roof was leaking in more than a dozen places and the children scarcely have clothes upon their backs." The High Elf said with genuine dismay. "I ask, for my part, that you see fit to see the building into good repair - you must surely have contacts with reputable, honest tradesfolk whose craft is quality. A new building, if the old is beyond saving - and to my Elven eyes that seemed very much the case - and goodly vestments for the children."<br/><br/>The High Elf had all but beggared himself already as they passed the place, emptying his purse to the elderly caregivers in charge of the orphanage. And he spent all of his magic to heal the ailments of the children, of which there were many.<br/><br/>"I know you for a one of compassion and a goodly heart, friend Nalrendramid. As you entrust this task to me, I may entrust this request to you?" Gloriosus asked, turning his sharp blue Elven eyes upon the Dragonborn over the rim of the glass of wine.