Having achieved another part of their goal, the Orb of Air, our heroes are dispatched on a different task, the seeking of allies but hopefully negotiating a peaceful compromise over the control of a gold mine between the Diamond Clan Dwarves and one of the Sun Temple Sects. Both of whom the Pattern would like to have as possible allies.
Thus our heroes are dispatched on a mission of diplomacy, which they may be particularly ill-suited towards, and soon find themselves on a winding road through the mountains. Defender, as usual, takes the lead and after turning a corner, narrowly avoids being impaled by a ballista bolt. Defender charges the dwarven post, taking a hit from a crossbow bolt, while Bradley shouts for peace. After a few tense moments, the situation stabilizes.
The dwarves take a letter of introduction from Bradley and escorts the group to the dwarven camp where they meet Emissary Sagaroth White and Warleader Arcantus Rockbiter. The dwarves explain that there have been attacks by bandits which is why the guard post was so jumpy. They then lay out the dwarven claim to the mine: it was established by the Diamond dwarves but abandoned and sealed during a time of contraction and then the location was lost. Bradley and the others agree to present the dwarven case to the Sun Temple in the homes of finding common ground between the two groups.