"Since you know more about the dwarves than I, do you wish to take point during this diplomatic mission?  I will see to the group while you deliberate.  It may be, though, that I can offer some aid to the king depending on the nature of his illness."  Sypher speaks with calculated deliberation.  There is no malice or affront in his voice.  He is simply a commander choosing the most efficient course of action.

Thakous politely waits for the new comers to get sorted before continuing. "Aye, he haes consumption. Coughing up blood, fever, weight loss. Tis cause him tae whither awa'. Oor oonly healer passed o' auld age shortly efter we sent oor wee jimmies tae war, sa' we've hud tae scrape by aever since. We dunna even haev medicines left. Durm Dural may aes well be a toom a' this point"

"Diplomacy is not my strong suit," Beloc says dryly, "but between you and me, we might be able to help their king and fan a spark of hope here."

Sypher nods and turns to Thakous.  "I am a healer.  May I see your king?  I may be able to help him."

A red haired dwarf steps forward. "Oy, Thakous. Ah will tak' th' healer 'ere tae th' king, while ye tend tae th' rest o' oor guest. Ah, pardon m'ah manners lad. Groufin Redarmour, son of Dourfin. Seicont in command o' th' Gabbro Fists" he says, sweeping in to a low and respectful bow.

Thakous nods, while Grouffin leads on down the street. He pauses after about ten feet. "If ony o` yer companions wantae come 'n' shoo thair respects, theyre mair than wailcome to tag o'long while ye heal".

DM's note: none of the party NPCs volunteer to come along, instead opting to remain with the dwarves-at-arms

Sypher holds up a hand in recognition of the offer, but also to politely decline.  "Given the unknown nature of the illness and the importance of our mission, it is better if they remain isolated from the king until we know more.  I will convey their respects when I see him.  Thank you for the offer.  Your hospitality is very generous."

"Sypher, let me know what you find out. I may be able to help, depending on the diagnosis."

"Will do.  Keep the others out of trouble, especially the diplomatic kind."  Though his tone remained neutral it was difficult to misunderstand that by 'others' he meant 'Shiaran'.

Beloc smirks. "I'll do my best."

Thakous saunters back over to the group with Beloc, looking the Badger as all it's crew up and down. Darius has even stepped out, walking with his cane. "Mighty fine machine y' all have'ere. Ye folks ge' it from th' mili' try?".

Beloc watches Sypher disappear into the halls of the keep. It's not until the lead dwarf approaches that he breaks his focus.

"In a manner of speaking. It was abandoned at the Midway garrison after it was razed. In hindsight, it was lucky we brought it with us." He motions backward to the rest of the group. "We've picked up a lot of company on the way."

Thakous looks around at the motley crew. "Aye, seems ye haev. Noo A'm na mathematician, bit considering ye'r wi' th' military 'n' headed under th' mount'n, a'd say two 'n' two makes four 'n' ye'r heading tae th' capitol. Lots o' nasty rumblins comin' fro' that way lately. Bu' tell me lad. Haev ye any surplus wi' ye? Food stuffs, medicines. Perhaps somethin' t' chase e'way th' rust monsters?".

"I have news of one of your men, Gurnfir.  Do you know where I might find his wife and family?"  Shiaran places her left hand on her hip and feeds some seeds to Leukos as she admires the architecture of the dwarven city.

"Well, we dispatched a particularly large rust monster a little way back. Could have been their brood mother, if that's the case then they may start to naturally dwindle. Unless there are more like her, they may also start traveling in smaller groups too. That should make them easier to handle."

He gestures over to the goblin clad in plate. "Krem here might just have some extra supplies you all could make use of."

At hearing the name Gunfir, Thakous' eyes widen. He spits at the ground. "Gunfir wis an outright coward. He turned his back oan his own fowk, 'n' bolted while thay died. We received word o' oor casualties 'n' his cowardice a few years ago. He knoo's he inna welcome here, so e' has strangers parlay for 'em".

He turns his attention next to Beloc, and nods. "Aye, Ah will blether tae th' wee green one then"

A female dwarf removes the visor over her face, and steps forward. "Pardon me if a'm speaking oot o' caw, bit haes a'body bothered telling thae folks that thair ride isnae gonna fit thro' th' tunnels th' rest o' th' wey tae fildegarne?".

Shiaran frowns at the news and taps her chin, a sign of thought.  This needs more investigation, she says to herself.  "I'm sorry.  So, if I understand correctly, his wife and children know he's alive still?"

Upon hearing himself mentioned, Krem steps forward, still only wearing the bare essentials of his armor. "Roight-o ladies and gents. Ol' Krem 'ere has a fair assortment o' oddities and boom sticks. If you'll kindly right yer eyes on me pony 'ere, anything she's carrying is for sale". He pauses for a moment, looking at the bedraggled squad of dwarves who've spent nearly a decade in isolation. They lack any form of enthusiasm, and for the most part appear to have long since had their spirits broken. "Eh, tell ya what folks... You all just step on over and pick up what ya loik. Oi don't reckon it'll be much work to replenish me stock workin' with the likes of me present company. Stuffs just rust monsta bait sittin' on the back of me pony anyhow".

At that, a few clamber over and start picking through Krem's bags and satchels. One of them strays over to a strong box on the back of the badger, and pulls out the hexxenflammen suit. "S'cuse me, mista Krem. Wha' exactly is this one then?".

Thakous answers Shiaran. "Thay knew he wis alive whin he bolted aff. Though, th' knowledge doesn't dae thaim gud now".

Shiaran arches a brow.  "May I ask why not?"  Her tone is not confrontational.  Rather filled with a bit of sadness at the answer she expects to here.

Thakous sighs, and shakes his head. "Th' consumption took em'. Same with me oown wif' an' child. Same stoory for th' lot of us 'ere lass. We were nary prepared for somethin' like this war, an' the attritions uvit'all. Our fotress is an ootlier. Many months journey thru' th' underdark t' th' nearest of oor kin. But we've lacked the strength in oor numbers to make the trip, soo 'ere we sit. King Thadrumir wa' too proud e' dwarf to seek help from your oon king, wha' wiff oor losses already, an' wha' wiff the war. We all agreed, to sit an' wait for th' mess t' clear up. Buh' the monsters and ailments haev ma'dit a hard wait".

Shiaran lets out a curse.  "Beloc, we need to talk to Sypher.  This...we need to decide how best to help them."

"I am here to help as best I can. We'll know more about how we can help as soon as he gets back with an update on the king." Beloc pats Shiaran on the shoulder. "For now, we wait and trust he is doing all he can to identify the problem."

As if on cue, back down at the end of the road that ends at the fortress, 3 figures emerge from the heavy front doors. They make their way down the streets, as the dwarven knights mutter under their breath. One is Groufin, and the other is another dwarf, being helped along and supported on the arm of Sypher. Once all three are close enough to identify, Thakous bellows "A' hail oor rightful king, Thadrumir Drows'ben". Every dwarf present immediately takes a knee, including Thakous. "Mah liege, ye'r weel again?".

Thadrumir nods. "Aye, a'm. A' thanks be tae th' paladin 'ere, 'n' his maist noble o' gods, Iehovah, fur whom wi'oot, ah wud be lost".

The dwarves stand one by one, and then face Sypher. They each in turn take a knee again, thanking Sypher and thanking Iehovah. Despite not know the grace and glory of the God Sypher follows, each feels a sense of indebtedness to both Sypher and the one above.