[Jack Simth]

Wizard "I see. What do you know of the bandits?"

D "Just a few rumors and what the Baron told me at dinner; that they are a problem."

The wizard, perhaps sensing some truth behind D's words, visibly relaxes a little.
Wizard "Well, you are unlikely to be able to do anything about it, so I would suggest rejecting the Baron's reward offer in the morning. He has made the same offer to a dozen other visitors, and none of them have returned."

With that, the Wizard takes his leave.

A short while later.
Jack "That's odd..."

D "What's odd?"

Jack "He started to mouth something about not a threat shortly before he left. Why would we be a threat?"

D "Hmm."

ooc:[Could it be that the wizard is secretly supporting the bandits, and in the process harvesting much of the tax money? Perhaps he could be making a bid for the barony, but needs to have the authority transfer come from a legitamate source to prevent the Empire from crushing him; it would explain his secrecy and tie the situation up nicely.]