After crossing the bridge the trio entered into a large chamber where you could see the remains of a black-smithing area.

"This is fascinating," Hassir noted, walking over to take a closer look, "I see what you mean about this particular dungeon being a must for warriors and artisans."

Everard was about to answer when a crowd of tiny winded imps popped up from behind the dormant forge and started to hurl varied insults at them.

Onir drew his weapon and was on standby to attack, while Hassir was simply staring at them appraisingly since this was the first time he had encountered such creatures.

"Is there a reason why these haven't been killed out yet?" Hassir asked at last.

Everard chuckled.

"Most coursers find them just to be announced, like rats they just continue to come back no matter how much you kill," he explained, "We would be better off just ignoring them."

"Who are you calling a rat!?" one of them hissed angrily, "Your mother and father were rats!"

Everard rolled his eyes but Hassir dealt with it more directly. He threw a knife, impaling one of them to the wall and instantly killing it and then the rest fled.

"I suppose that can work too," Everard acknowledged.

"Can't have them talking like that about your mother, she's my favorite aunt," Hassir said.

Everard thought to himself secretly that Hassir said that about all of them, but that was perhaps one reason why he was such a successful politician.

After that, Hassir went back to investigating the area carefully. When he was finished he said, "I think I will have you bring all of my men through here."

Hassir's men were his dedicated crew and would be staying with him for the duration of this bid to expand into Lumia.

"That's fine, I already told Shaden that I'm on retainer to you until further notice," Everard answered.

"This lord you work with is quite permissive..." Hassir noted, "You must introduce me to him."

"I will of course. I think the two of you will be fast friends actually..."

"Oh? Why is that?" Hassir asked.

"It seems he had three of his lovers with child or recently having foaled..."

Hassir chuckled.

"Then we'll have a lot to talk about," Hassir agreed. 

Having finished surveying the area, they continued on.