Spoileryou are paid your up front, and they sell nothing of interest unless brass gnome models, colored lace, or glass figurines are useful.
You don't have anyone following you over your adventures. Your stealth eludes any would-be pursuer.
Spoileryeah we need to rp that. It's very a-typical.
The local mage university seems like your best bet to find someone from what you've gathered.
Spoilerwe need to rp this bit before you do the more mundane things.