Barkas hustles after Ada, coming to a jog.  "You're... right.... of ... course....  Why... didn't.... I .... think.... of... that...."  

Upon hearing Ada's compliment about her tracking, there's a faint blush that appears across Daetris' face, but she shrugs it off and just continues down the road with the others.

As Ada and Barkas move forward towards the other traveler, she holds up a hand, "Wait, don't-" But they're already gone, jogging to catch up. She rubs a hand over her face instead and sighs. "Why are we always trusting strangers...?" she mutters under her breath before she moves to catch up with them as well.

Kel sees Ada and Barkas head toward the stranger.  "She's going to get herself in some serious trouble someday if she keeps running head long into everything."  He sighs, shaking his head and moves to follow the pair.

Misha was enjoying the interaction between her new companions. She silently thanked Bane for the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic adventure and once Ada ran off, kept her eyes on her just in case there was trouble.

Ada runs to catch up to the traveler ahead with Barkas close behind...once they are close enough, she yells out "Excuse me... excuse me" Once she has the traveler's attention she introduces herself with a smile "Hey, I'm Ada and this here is.... " she looks back to Barkas trying to catch up and point to him "Barkas.   Our other companions are back there a ways." she point to the rest of the group.  "Do you happen to know anything about this city, Ironridge?"  Waiting to hear the reply she then asks "Have you seen a group of Khaasta or lizardmen passing through here recently?"

"I... um... Ironridge? Khaasta? I was in the library... And then I was here. Not that I know where here is." The traveler is a relatively young half-elf woman in plain garb.  She is carrying several books and her hands are inkstained. Her long brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail and her brown eyes are behind spectacles.

Misha's heavy bootsteps could be heard, like a tank walking in full plate. She approaches the new traveler, unafraid.

"Bane has blessed us all on this day! Behold, a new soul has been discovered. The Lord General shines upon us all!" she declared. "Bask in His glory, my friends."

Ada, immediately recognizing another half-elf graces the traveler with a bright smile "So, you don't know where you are either?  What was your name again?  I would highly suggest you stick close with us, these parts have proved to be... what shall we say, interesting.  This here is Barkas, and over there, that's Daetris, and Kel is over there, and this is Misha." she says as she points to each of her companions.  "So, you just somehow ended up here?  What happened?"

 Barkas walks over and says “We are totally off the chart.  I did not foresee your arrival.  Do you see?”  He brings out his star charts, shaking in his hands with a slight tremor, shows it to the young woman, points out various points and scribbled notes, “The stars don’t align!  Where are we?  Who the hell knows!”  He starts laughing, a little too much and a little loud.  “We are following a trail.  Want to come with us?  You are as lost as we are!  My name is Barkas, by the way, Barkas Reedfellow.  And you are?”

"I am Misha!" she declared, after Ada had just introduced her. She was smiling broadly, as if proud to be a member of the group. She turned to Barkas. "We are not lost, Bane weel show us zeh way, Barkas, my friend. You charts of stars ees not eencorrect." she told him.

Daetris can't help but face palm. "You don't gotta give our real names..." Then she sighs. Studies the new half-elf. Puts a hand on her short sword. Well, this woman doesn't look terribly intimidating. But Daetris shifts a little closer, ready to grab Ada and pull her back out of danger should things start going downhill.

Putting his hand on Barkas' shoulder, Kel pulls him back just slightly so as to give the half elf a little space from the excited dwarf.  "Barkas', give the lady a moment before showing her your most marvelous charts.  We shall overwhelm the woman should we all mob her at once."  He says, with a nod at the half-elf.

As you greet the fellow traveler, you draw closer to the city.

Iron towers and high walls give this place the appearance of a fortress more than a city, but that’s not surprising. After all, you are less than two days walk from encountering mind flayers. The guards at the gate give you a long look, but let you pass. Inside, you see that many humans inhabit this city, though, there seem to be a fair number of dwarves as well…also not surprising considering the proximity to the mountain range. 

Near the entrance, however, you see and hear a bit of a scuffle. A crowd has gathered and appear to be fighting over something or someone.

As you all head through the city gates, you hear distinctive jingling behind you - clearly getting closer. Heavy panting accompanies it, and a bland looking woman in a very distinct beaded coat wheezes her way up behind you all, stopping by Barkas side and bending over with her hands on her knees after sidling past the guards. Her lute slides sideways and hits her in the side. "I get... distracted by something shiny... for five minutes, and you're all... off... poof... gone." she puffs out, standing and pushing her spine forwards and stretching awkwardly.

"I got lost twice on the way here. It's a tad sticky, isn't it? Two bloody days and-" she says at large, seemingly to everyone and no-one at the same time before noticing the newcomer, and squints at her. "Who's this then?"

"Agata! By Mystra herself she brought you here!!  I thought you returned to the inn after the scuffle with those Khaasta, so glad you are here!"  Ada turns to the newcomer "and this is Agata..." she continues in a whisper "she gets a bit distracted by shiny things...."

As the group enters the fortress city, Ada notes "I suppose they need walls like this with Mind Flayers and Umber Hulks in the area."  Her attention is suddenly drawn to the crowd that is gathering around a scuffle "Hey, what's going on over there??  I wonder what the scuffle is about?" she says as she tries to get a bit closer and get a peek.  Once she is closer in, she asks one of the on-lookers "What's going on here?"

"Agata!  Good to have you back!  I have missed your missed your lively tunes, even had to hum half the way here to keep myself entertained."  Kel says, happy to see their companion back in the fold.  "Come, let us see what all the hubbub is about."  He says, following Ada but scanning the area, watching for any sign the Khaasta.

"Ah, well, have no worry... I'll be back irritating you all... in a minute or two... or ten," Agata wheezes, breath slowly coming back. She looks over to the newcomer expectantly. "Agata Wrattfoot, at your service. I hope this lot haven't mobbed you."

"Good to see you again, Agata," Daetris says with a small smile and a light touch to her shoulder. "Glad nothing ate you along the way."

The sounds of a possible fight attract Daetris' attention, as well, but she's a little wary of getting closer. Going through the walls of the city only makes her tense up more and more, but she tries not to reach for her weapons for fear of drawing the combativeness their way unnecessarily. She drifts behind Kel and Ada, keeping an eye out as well.

Misha turns towards the scuffle, or the "hubbub", as Kel put it. When she approached the quarrelling group, she raised a finger. "Eh." she began, "What ees all zeh hubbub. Bub." she asked no one in particular. 

Ada works her way into the crowd, getting caught up in the bustle and the jostle. As she nears the front, she asks one of the people nearby, "What's going on here?" The middle-aged dwarf looks up at her, saying, "So beautiful. Absolutely beautiful." Ada turns to follow his gaze, her eyes settling on a pair of humans trapped in the middle of the melee. My, they are quite stunning...so stunning....

Need a WIS save!