Areus nodded at the man. "Was looking for a job and your flyer led me here. Apparently, you have people that need saving?" the man cautiously nodded, his eyes darting over Areus. Areus looked over to the woman and found her doing a similar thing, though more calm analysis than the worried glancing the man was doing. "I am here both for coin and the fact that these bandits kidnapped people. I can't speak for her, but I am here to help"
The man swallowed and nodded. "The bandits made camp a way's north of here, at least that is what their messenger told us when they asked for the ransom. The only thing I know for sure is that they have an advantage of numbers. I would have waited for more adventurers such as yourselves, but the bandits said that if they didn't get their gold by tomorrow, they'd begin kil_ killing hostages" The man turned his eyes down at the table. "My wife, m-my son were taken"
Areus stood up in a bolt, his chair clattering to the floor behind him. His face changed from casual to stern, his eyes glowed violet as did the tattoos covering his torso. " I promise you, we will save your family. We will save everyone, and if a single person was harmed, every damned bandit in that camp will feel the fury of an Archon, I swear on my name"
A small smile came on the man's face, a spark of hope in his eyes. He nodded and pulled a small bag from his belt. "this is an advance payment, you will receive the rest when you bring our families back." He tossed it on the table and Areus heard the telltale sound of gold coins. He picked it up and tied it to his belt. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather split our shares at the end of this adventure"