Sir Robert winced as he put his weight on his injured knee. It had taken a nastly blow, but that would have to be put up with. It was imperative that they kept moving.

Nightfall saw them still moving, as Garin urged them onward for another mile to reach the hidden entrance. With night, some calm had descended and although it was still snowing, it was not as heavy as before and they could all see the lamp Garin carried to light his way.

Eventually Garin stopped by a rock face. "This is it." he annouced. He scrutinised the cliff carefully before touching it in a seemingly random pattern while muttering words in his own tongue under his breath.

He stepped back, as a crack appeared aroud a rectangular section of the rock face. The door swung silently inwards, revealing a passage into the heart of the mountain. The party entered in single file and the door closed again behind them.

The darkness lasted only an instant, then there was a hiss and lamps flared into life around them. From the hidden shadows of the passageway ahead, a challenge rang out in Dwarvish. Garin replied in the same and, after a brief pause, the light spread down the corridor. Three dwarves stood facing them, holding crossbows and with axes swinging from their belts. "Welcome to the realm of Karak Kadrin." their leader said in Reikspiel. "I am told you are hunting and wish to pass quickly under the mountains. It is a pity, for you will see only rough tunnels and not the great glories of our keep. You must not judge our artisanship by what you see here, for it is but poor reflection of what you would see if you came to the heart of our domain."

"I thank you for your welcome." Sir Robert replied. "I wish I could be honoured to venture deeper into your land at another date. Alas, I must make haste now, for I have a vengeance to take and a quest to fulfil."

"Pass then with speed. And may your quest be fruitful. But now the time is late. You have need of rest I see, for it is already long past the hour of darkness without. You will stay this night in our guard chamber, where we have meat and wine and bedding kept for travellers."

That night they slept in true beds for the first time since Altdorf. Here was an unlooked for luxury denied their foes, yet all too soon it was time for them to move. "It is five days to the Beyond Gate." their host informed them. "But a good week by the pass over the mountains. Possibly longer in this weather. You have little time to spare, though, for our custom dictates that you must be well clear of our gate before you engage your enemy, lest they should find its position. There are other halls along the way where you may find rest and refreshments. Word has gone ahead to prepare for your coming."