"May I ask, My Lady, what brings you here? We haven't had any visitors for many months. In winter it is only to be expected, of course, but I'd hoped that with the spring thaws that we would have seen someone by now."
Several things struck Arcata at once in that question.
First, Haxmar and the original holders of the Keep had enjoyed cordial relations with one another. Second, Haxmar had not known about the beastmen taking the Keep, so it seemed likely that the dwarves didn't send anyone there. Even so, it was remiss of him not to keep informed. The Keep could have been used as a stronghold to launch attacks against Haxmar if the occupying force had been of a mind to do so, or disciplined enough to make it so.
It also implied that Haxmar could not be counted on for military aid, should the Keep again fall under attack. Not that military aid was the only value an ally could offer...but it was worth bearing in mind.
Something else nagged at Arcata too though. A fey creature infiltrating the Keep. The dwarves nearby for some reason all blue, with a strange amulet of the same color around their leader's neck. Coincidence? Or part of a multi-pronged strategy?
"Lord Haxmar," she said, "The Keep had fallen into enemy hands for a time. I've only recently liberated it and retaken posession of it. Unfortunately there were no records or written treaties left inside, nor any survivors beyond some of the original guard. Whatever traditions or agreements you had with the Keep before are gone along with them...that is why I've come personally. We must begin the friendship of our peoples here anew."
With a smile she added, "I assure you, the men and women at the Keep now will not fall anytime soon."
And on top of everything else...is he actually trying to flirt with me? I didn't realize dwarves did that... Resolving to ask their translator if he knew anything about that...learning a language often entailed learning cultural details as well...Arcata also allowed herself a moment of relief that she hadn't actually introduced him as a translator, nor had he revealed his knowledge of the language.
She had a feeling that being able to understand Dwarven, unknown to their hosts, might come in handy.