The Heroes follow the diminutive figure slowly, their own breath harsh and loud in their own ears. Trying to stay as silent as possible, the Heroes' progress is slowed substantially by Fallax and Aislinn, both fumbling over crossbeams or around slime-coated wooden pylons. At last the figure stops at a stone wall, almost imperceptible in the near-complete darkness. The Heroes wait impatiently in the darkness, standing in silty mud in waist high water. With a light thump and the sound of wood sliding on wood, the small figure motions the Heroes forward, its voice barely audible. Inside. Quickly. Quietly. Assisting the Heroes, the dark figure guides them to an aperture in the stone foundation of the Blue Sky Traders and into a dark room. Once inside, the sound of wood sliding against wood rasps in the darkness once more. Herger's hands touch the wood paneled ceiling, his head bowed in the small confines. Immediately, candlelight springs up in the room, illuminating several gnomes with crossbows aimed at the Heroes, one of which is Bardin, the gnome Lodric and Kaela encountered earlier. Standing at the Heroes side, pulling back a dark hood, stands another gnome, the Heroes guide through the underbelly of the wharf.
Bardin growls, 'Bout time you made here. I was beginnin' to think you did not understand my directions. Fallax moves forward to speak, a sneer across his face, but steps back after glancing up at Herger. Nearby, from a shadowy corner of the room, a bearded Erenlander stands up, Well. This is indeed a motley crew. A snow elf...and now a giant! The Erenlander stares in amazement at Herger. Bardin glances back at the Erenlander and snarls. This is Geoffrey Took, and he usually saves his remarks for pretty young women, not giants. Bardin looks at Kaela. But, the giant is not why you have been running, has it? Bardin's eyes lock on Aislinn, huddled next to Kaela and Herger. The Shadow searches for someone else. Something it fears... The gnome's voice trails off as his eyes suddenly take in the entire new arrivals. Motioning for the gnomes to lower their crossbows, Bardin takes a step forward. The name's Bardin, as if you didn't know. And I think we have some of your companions. Motioning a female gnome forward with a lit candle, Starhl and Valurel are illuminated along a shadowed wall, both resting on a bench. Starhl's chest and stomach are laced with blood and the Wolf lies under the bench beneath him.
Bardin motions to a bench while barking out several orders to the gnomes in the room. Sit and rest. We have clean water and smoked river fish for you. Torn, but dry and clean, blankets are brought to the Heroes to ward off the chill. Bardin and Geoffrey pull up stools near the Heroes. Waiting for the Heroes to settle themselves, Bardin speaks, the edge on his voice tempered, his gaze on Aislinn. The Northman and Erunsil said you were from Caft. How came you here and why? Who sent you to the Blue Sky Traders and where are you seeking to go?
