Subjet: Turn

Sorry I did not get anything out yesterday. It was a busy night and I did not get to bed until 1:30 AM.

I have an auction to run this morning and then hopefully I will be able to write something this afternoon.

Subject: On to the Underkingdom

The dwarves and the party, along with Maximus and the Lady, start the long winding descent down into the valley ahead. The sun dips behind the high mountains and everyone is soon riding in deepening shadows. The pace is fairly brisk, even with the dwarves afoot. Going down hill seems to make everyone move just a bit quicker. After a short while Daral calls out "What type of dwarves are you, marching in silence. Patrol Leader, sound off." The valley then starts to echo with the sounds of dwarves chanting marching cadences, their deep voices booming out over the stone hills.

As the party heads down trees start to reappear. Small scraggly things, not much use for anything. They have been marching at a good pace and at the end of the second hour they take a sharp turn in the road and the entrance to the Underkingdom looms before them. The walls of the path they are on become more shear and the road narrows to only several dozen feet across. Up on the mountain side defensive positions can be seen. Some of them have ballistae, some have trebuchets, and others have odd looking war machines. About a mile ahead the road runs through a large gate and dead ends into the side of a mountain. The mountain soars several thousand feet above the road.

Where the road dead ends there is a huge gate complex; stone walls, towers, battlements stand out from the hillside almost 200 feet. A large stone gate almost 50 feet across and 60 feet high stands astride the roadway, the huge stone doors, almost 30 feet thick, standing open. Under the watchful eyes of several hundred dwarves the party marches up to the gate. When they are about 30 feet from the gate a voice calls out "Halt. Stay where you are until you are recognized." Seconds later the tromping of dwarven feet can be heard coming from the tunnel through the wall. A group of 10 dwarves march out and meet the party.

The one in the lead speaks first "Report" Daral responds "Force Leader Daral, reporting back. These others are the Ambassador from Bhyo and her escort." The Force Leader gestures to Maximus and the Lady. "These others" he points to the party "are on a mission from Schon in the name of the Order of the Silver Sword." The first dwarf nods "You are expected. Report to Force Commander Garvin." Daral nods. The other dwarf turns to the party, Maximus and the Lady "While you are in the Underkingdom, you answer to the King. If you have any questions about what is acceptable, ask a dwarf. Any questions?" The dwarf then stands aside and Daral leads them into the dark tunnel.

OODM: I will write more tomorrow. If any one has any questions for the gate dwarf or Daral let me know.

Subject: On to the Underkingdom

Harp has no questions for this witness, your honor.