Thori looked up from his restless pacing at Khori.

"Walking holes in tha floor won't speed things up any, so sit!", she admonished.

Olbin chuckled from his seat in the corner of the small waiting room they had been sitting in for last few hours. Pulling a stool out from from the table, Thori sat down heavily.

"What could be takin tha bastards so long, its not like we be tha first Clan Kaladim has eva' had! All they be havin ter do is get King Kazon ter sign our Charter, bloody hell."

Standing up he began to pace like a caged animal. "Politics! Bah!"

Draining his goblet, Olbin poured himself another and topped off everyone else's. "At least tha King be havin fine foods and good drink fer us while we be waitin."

"Aye", Khori added, "it be much better then rations and water eh?"

Even Thori had to laugh at that. It was true, they had been campaigning for months, slowly gathering to them some of the finest soldiers Kaladim had to offer. They felt that the time had come to become an official Clan. The Charter was penned and had been approved by the Kings advisors, now all that was left was for the King to sign it.

Just then, the door to the room opened and travel stained Dwarf entered.

"Bhrim! Well met brother.", Thori said as he offered the weary traveler a chair.

"Aye, it be me", grinned Bhrim, "I be here ter report on our progress." Khori poured a goblet for their compatriot, who proceeded to drain it all in one gulp. "I be thankin ye, twas a long run."

Olbin leaned forward, "What be tha word from our troops in tha field?"

Taking a deep breath, Bhrim began, "Tourok an' tha others be holdin tha west entrance to Highpass, keepin it clear of Gnolls. At last count, Agger, Ghazz, Trovar an' Reis be there as well. Tis a difficult task", at this point Bhrim laughed, "but we be puttin a dent in tha Gnoll population if ye know what I mean."

At this point, Khori stood, "When will ye let me fight with ye brother? I av' been workin on me fightin skills an tha Kobolds of Steamfont av' come ter fear me greatly. Me faith in Brell be strong, an I think am' ready!"

The older Dwarves all grinned at each other. Thori stepped forward and put his hand on his sisters shoulder.

"Aye lass, indeed ye are ready ta fight in tha name of Brell."

Thori turned back to the others, "Reet, we leave in tha morn, Charter or no. I be tired of sittin on me arse while me brother be out fightin fer their lives."

They all nodded in agreement.

"Pack yer gear, we be headin ter Highpass again."

"Aye", grumbled Bhrim as they got up, "another bloody boat ride, I cannae wait..."