At the request of the Dor'Thain V2.4

I was minding my own business, preparing some leather to make the last few items of my punishment when Cort stormed into my stall. The Dor'Thain wants to see you now. I said, "But I haven't done anything wrong, and I almost done making everything he requested." He said forget about that and follow me now or I will drag you there. I dropped my tools and shrugged my shoulders and said, "lead on." Cort looked at me like he would rather make me do some sort of exercise, I giggled and motioned for him to hurry up. He sighed loudly and said something in dwarfish that probably meant, "Why me?"

When we arrived at the Great Hall, Lorn and Big Guy were already there waiting in the foyer. Cort barked at me, "Stay here and be still." I waved him on, he bit his lip so hard I think he drew blood. I looked up at the two walking mountains and said, "What's up?" Big Guy said, "I was summoned and I obeyed the Dor'Thain as you should." I giggled. Lorn rolled her eyes and said, "Just wait and see." Then it was my turn to roll my eyes. I said, "Be right back." Before they could protest I disappeared in to a crack in the wall.

I snuck through the marmoset hole and headed toward where I heard the Dor'Thain. It sounded like he was arguing with Moody, a dwarf who often disagreed with the Dor'Thain and some said he wanted to be the Thain. I couldn't make out what they were saying, because they were speaking in dwarfish, but I knew the conversation was over when I heard Cort report to the Thain all I understood was my name and a curse. I slipped back through the crack and stood near the two humans. At about that time Moody burst through the doors and looked at us with contempt. Cort motioned for us to come along and it wasn't until then did my companions know I was already there. They looked at me a little funny but didn't say anything.

Wooden, our Thain said he had a very important mission for us and he needed people with our particular talents. I had no idea what he was talking about. I asked him what he meant. All he would say that it was very important and that it may change the balance against the Dark One. To me that was kind of like an ant talking about taking on an ort, but who knows what dwarfs think, or any other race other than halfings and their kin. Devil Horn just said, "As you command." Lorn as well, did not question him. I said what's in it for me and he just repeated the same answer as before. I pretty much knew at this point I had to go and I was tired of making rope anyways a walk would do me some good.

He would not give us any more details at all, his reasoning was for not only our safety, but that of the folks of Durgis Rock, for should we fall this information could not fall into the dark forces hands and lead back to here. It was for all our futures that we succeed, but if we fail it should not bring doom upon us all. This didn't sound too encouraging in the least, but what choice do I have now, I already said okay and I had a sinking feeling if I said no, Cort may try to break my hands.

The Dor'Thain said something to Cort who nodded and walked out of the hall, a few moments later he came back with a strange looking dwarf in tow. He wore furs and soft leather boots and he only sounded like a bull walking through town, compared to other dwarfs he was remarkably quiet. I had seen this one around a few times, but he always came into town and left quickly and quietly. He paid his respect to Wooden and turned to us. Wooden said this is Duncan he will be your guide. Duncan suddenly looked very important as if he was in charge. He moved over to join our little group.

Wooden said, "Good look to you all your mission is more important than you know, you must not fail." At that point I think the Big Guy bowed or saluted, it would have been funny if he would have hit his head on one of the beams. Duncan said follow me. We all did that of course, what else would we do, we didn't know where we were going. He asked us if we were prepared to travel for at least a week. Everyone said they needed to get a few things first. They agreed to wake up at dawn and leave. I protested, because I don't like to get up so early, because I spend a great deal of time sneaking around at night and I need a little extra sleep in the morning. Duncan quickly reminded us that orcs travel at night and it is safer if travel during the daylight hours. I just said, "Whatever." I needed another knife so I went to Herg and asked him if he had one to spare. He had a very nice knife and scabbard that I had made, so I knew it was good quality work. He wanted me to make six short scabbards for the knife, I was able to negotiate that down to five. I agreed that I would make them when I come back. Normally Herg would have never agreed to that condition, but he knew how important the mission was, everyone in the Rock was counting on us. I gave Devil Horn 50 feet of rope, then I went off to make sure my buttons were safe and secure while I am away and maybe add one or two more to my collection before I set out.

Duncan wakes me before it is even daylight out. He says to me to hurry up and get ready. I try to roll over and go back to sleep, but he nudges me with his foot. I get up and look at him with my eyes still blurry. He kind of looks like an ort with the mange. That makes me giggle and I begin to wake up. I gather my things and meet the rest of the crew, the Big Guy is wearing what looks like a tent to me, I try so hard not to laugh at him. He looks so silly most of the time and what makes it worse he is so serious all the time. Lorn is hardly dressed at all and I have stuffed extra padding to stay warm. We set off on our journey with out a clue where or why we are doing, only that it is important. I am pretty sure we are dead. We all almost immediately begin to ask questions of Duncan. All he says is that we are probably heading to Kiergan Falls and it is important. Honestly I don't think he knew more than that. But that didn't mean we didn't keep asking him over and over. He would scout ahead and be gone for up to an hour at a time, he would often bring back small game with him. We never went hungry and Lorn had these amazing berries that tasted so good and made you feel all warm inside. I stayed away from her home brew, I just don't have a head for alcohol. It slows me down too much. We pretty much travel like this for about three days, slowly going down the mountains, eating fresh game and berries and asking Duncan the same questions over and over again. Then we heard the roar of water falling and knew we must be getting close. We asked Duncan one more time what we were doing. He finally said we are here to meet some Ambassadors that will help us overcome the dark struggle we now face. This is Kiergan Falls now we go and meet our guest. We are dead for sure. I start walking down the trail singing a hafling funeral dirge.

We cautiously made our way down the falls and we could see the ruins of what was once a small Dwarven community. Most of the stone buildings had collapsed, and the roofs and caved in. There was a large tumultuous pool at the base of the falls and the ruins were on the other side. A stout stone bridge traversed the stream. I scouted the bridge and made my way toward the building that seemed most intact. It would be dark soon and that looked like it might be a good place to camp and who knows what shiny things might be laying around lost. As I approached the doorway, I heard voices. I motioned back to the group to be still. I slowly headed back toward the bridge and said I heard voices inside. We all readied ourselves in case we needed to fight, but Duncan was positive this was the party we were here to meet and escort back to Durgis Rock. Now he tells us, Dwarves are so conservative and don't trust anyone.

As we slowly advanced toward the voices it became apparent they were not trying to hide themselves and seemed to be waiting for us. There was several voices and most were speaking in the Trader's Tongue, I over heard one say where are our escorts? As we approached the door we were all shocked even Duncan. Inside the crumbling building stood three elves, elves like I had never seen before. The Big Guy and Lorn were mumbling something in their own tongues and Duncan hid a smile on his face. There was also a couple gnomes inside as well. One was very old. They were as ready for combat as we were, but when Duncan spoke quietly to the old gnome all was smoothed over quickly. Duncan introduced each of us, while the old gnome spoke for the other group. He motioned toward his fellow gnome and said, "This fine young fellow is Croft." Croft smiles to us all as if he has known us all of his life. He continues by telling us about the elves. This elf is named Eiram and the other magnificently dressed elf is named Baylah. Then he speaks about the woman almost reverently as he says her name is Riane. She remarkable looking, she was very beautiful, but what made her so amazing even otherworldly was her eyes. They were pure black, there wasn't any white showing at all.

We sit down have a small meal and begin to get to know one another. It was odd, the room was filled with the warmth of a big campfire, but there was no flame or smoke to be found only a small black rock that emanated heat. It must be magic, it isn't very shiny though. We agree to leave in the morning and set watches. I drift off to sleep, seeing shiny black eyes in my dreams.