"Well " Thurston says "We do not lose anything for trying."  His focus seems to be more on the practical aspects of getting the city ready.

"We need supplies, gather as many game and food we can and store it inside... water buckets to help stop fire... stablish guards to patrol both the walls and inside, we cannot risk an infiltration... " he is mumbling apparently making a list

"Huh, noted, then. So what was Israphel's play, eh? I get ye both shared a goal, but why? Gods'n devils don' just go 'round conquering fer fun, yeah? Had t'be a reason each of ye were in it." Maybe it was his magnetic aura, or maybe just the fascination with a story unknown to the current world, but Bründir was falling down a rabbit hole of interest in his potential enemies. Sure, he would eventually have to bring Dumdrengi to bare against them, but for now it was amazing to hear about such people.

Gabe arches an eyebrow at Bründir's new path of questioning.

"Nothing more and nothing less than cosmic freedom for all of Arden," he explains with a wistful sigh. "An end to the eternal cycle of pain, suffering and rebirth. We wanted to break the wheel and cast off the shackles of mortality forged by the Dawn Gods."

"An' I sweat in a mine fer over ten decades 'cause there's starvin' folks needin' ore." The dwarf smiled through his sarcastic little jest, "What did you 'n yours want out of it all? When ye break time, an' all life jus' stops comin' back 'round...then what? What d'ye get from it? What's Israphel get from it?" For a moment, Bründir felt like he'd caught himself in an endless loop of the same question. "First time I hit iron below, they gave me a bonus. Job went from 'dig more' to 'find iron' quick then. So what's your iron in all this?"

Gabe snorts a laugh, tossing his head as though Bründir has made a bad joke.

"...and they call you heroes. Is it really so impossible to conceive of doing something out of altruism? Without hope of reward? This ascended form was a bonus, I admit, but unplanned. It seems that destiny has a sense of humour."

Bründir chuckles along with Gabe, though admittedly lost to the humor, "Nah, I jus' mean if there's a reason more'n ye jus' want to. Morrigan were a nasty bunch, an' wanted t'bring a wicked dragon 'ere. Sure, they might say it's fer a better world, but they wanted power, too." This time, when Bründir settles back into his comfortable smile, a hand hangs on Dumdrengi's pommel with the other hung on his belt. Joviality is replaced by pride, "Ye didn' answer me, but I s'pose that's yer nature. Good talk, though. If I weren't onto ye, I might be sold. Ya got Vark, an' there'll be a day that'll be a problem. Fer now, I'll take all yer help, even if ye don' tell me shite."

Gabe scoffs and rolls his eyes.

"Lord Halfshield, I have told you a great many things. I'm sorry to disappoint you by not confirming your prejudice. If it makes you feel any better, most everybody yearns for power of one kind or another. For now, perhaps you should turn your attention to more practical concerns?" 

Bründir chuckles at the annoyance in the fiend's tone, "Yep, ye said a lot an' not all at once. Fear not fer us, I'm sure we'll rally like we done before." The dwarf turns and throws opens the door to Seid's study like a returning champion from battle, "Much t'do an' so little time t'do it! Shall we write a list, folks, or are we off t'**** about on our own? I've got quite a few chores, so let's not hum an' haw 'round what needs t'be."

Nakia smiles, glad that action was being taken.

"I can give you the contact description, and if you use my name and offer a favour in return, you could undermine the army back at court. I suggest despatching agents to disrupt supplies, I could organise this for you, but it would be costly, raising mercenaries to a place like this without proper structures in place will cost more than the average fort. A small band perhaps slightly less though, if you are lucky, a small exploration group looking to make money protecting caravans may take on work of this kind. For now though, I just see to Jex's business, if you need me, please do come and find me, and I look forward to showing you around ahead of the grand opening next week." She gives a bow as though about to leave, though she does wait at the door incase she misses anything.

"With all the things that we know I think it is safe to assume that the Court is as corrupt as the covenant of wizards and witches that desire to destroy us for hindering their plans. By Odin's lost eye! They are as ambitious as stupid. Trying to imprison a God to force him to do their bidding. I guess that the Trickster doesn't like it and that's why he seems so... cooperative with us. I do not like to be used as a tool by him but as long as he has Vark on his grasp we cannot do much... and for the time being it seems on his best interest to protect Sheercleft. But we must be wary I have no doubts that he will destroy us as soon as he doesn't need us anymore... "

Thurston says replying to Nakia's suggestion of diminish the army in the court and to share his thoughts with the rest about Gabe.

"I do agree that we need to go and disrupt their supplies. It's worth a try. " her nods towards the helpful woman.

Nakia nods, taking Thurston's words as consent for her to act. She crosses the square towards the almost completed building, once again entering the temple wing as she passes. Her order always remained neutral in conflict where possible, needing to survive in a city regardless of the victor and making profit along the way. Consent to act here would serve as terms of employment though, allowing her to act by Jex's wishes. Besides, the organisation may not survive a gnoll invasion, another condition of breaking neutrality, though usually employed in cases of invasion by a holy order against their services. 

This time as she crosses the room to the darkened alcove, she slips her fingers into a recess, and disappears into the shadows. Jex's small offices were carefully hidden in the centre of the building by the skillful dwarven architects, who even now finished the new merchants bar on the west wing. From here, the strange allies who Jex had found could be summoned. A shock to her at first, she had walked in on the lizard like creature teaching the orphans, and had had to stay her hand. A boy told her they taught them archery, the history of the place and their language. But for now, they could put out signs that she would draw up for all of the taverns and local dives.

Adventurers wanted, and a bounty on gnolls.

Nakia waits until the hour is late, and the kobold messenger sniksnak appears, her draconic is highly accented, but otherwise flawless and the hissing tones sound almost funny in her calming tones. She explains the situation approaching them, and the dangers the town is under.

"So you see, the Kobolds and the people are now friends, and we profit together. But these men, they bring gnolls, and they tried to kill the Kobolds and the dwarves and humans before. We must stop them. The Kobolds are the best at traps and ambush yes? So perhaps you could help. Destroy their food and wagons. Steal their weapons. Slow them down. But stay safe. Always disappear before they find you..."

“Gnolls! Coming to Sheercleft?! Nasty nasty, dastardly little mongrels...” A voice mutters to itself  in furious draconic barks moments before the speaker appears, entering the office and pushing past Sniksnak. The messenger begins to protest but the new kobold issues a sharp hiss to silence him. “Sniksnak, do you even know what a gnoll is? Do you? No. This is above your pay grade.” The cowed kobold shrinks back and the newcomer turns to smile with a toothy grin and bow. This kobold is dressed in dark leathers, and though his scales are white like the rest of his kin there is an apparent film of black oil or soot worked into the grooves around his hands and the tip of his snout. “I am Ix, of the Sheerscale clan.” he begins, speaking in Sarameian.  “It is an honor, an honor, to meet a colleague of Master Jex. I have heard of your arrival and have seen your postings and I have come to tell you that I have worked with Master Jex personally to organize the Sheerscales to better help our shared home and it would make me proud to assist you in dealing with the disgusting, nefarious, evil, repulsive, repugnant, foes which dare, DARE, to threaten Sheercleft.” Only when he has finished speaking does Ix look up from his bow.

Nakia smiles at the hierarchical interaction between the Kobolds before turning her attention to the newcomer. She nods along at the words she recognised, trying to piece together the meaning before responding in draconic:

"Greetings, is it Ix? I understand you know Jex? I am afraid I have a different homeland and his tongue is strange to me. I understand that you have animosity towards the gnolls though?"

She grins at Ix, ideas clearly running through her head.

“Oh no, I see, I see, my apologies for assuming,” he responds in draconic, clearly a bit embarrassed at what might be taken as a faux pas. He straightens and regains his officious composure. “But yes, nasty nasty gnolls, especially nasty if they intend to harm Sheercleft. I understand you are seeking saboteurs to disrupt them yes? You will find no better saboteurs than the Sheerscale clan, no better! At your command I will personally organize the most elite of my kin to take on this mission. Do you have specific objectives for these agents?” Ix’s grin returns and eyes alight with eager glee.

Nakia smiles away the Kobold's embarrassment, instantly making him feel at ease. The candles in the room glow welcomingly, giving a warmer environment.

"I am sure your clan are the right fit for the job." She gestures the chair across from her desk for the kobold to sit.

"There are many objectives, but I will leave dividing them to your discretion. Firstly, we must know numbers and the makeup of the force. Particularly if any wizards are with them. Secondly, we need them slowed, tired and frustrated. Broken wheels, fires, night attacks, animals missing, lost property. Get them in fighting. Kill them in their sleep with a friend's weapon. Thirdly, we want them to starve, steal, spoil, burn, poison or ruin their food and water. Gnolls will eat each other or their human masters if pushed to it. Get vermin in the camps, take their valued items. Make being in that army miserable and make the march long. Traps on the road will slow them down too. And one final thing you should be aware of, a third party may come into play, there is the potential that we may send an agent to start rumours and breed further dissent or assassinate the leaders. If they see you, they will show you a sign so that you don't kill them." She makes a gesture interlocking her little fingers 

"Can you do these things? I will build a picture of their forces on this table based on your messages."

Ix takes the seat and pulls out a small notepad and quill and begins to rapidly scrabble notes as they talk. “Reconnaissance, paying special attention to wizards…” scribble scribble scribble “General disorder and chaos, yes yes…” he echoes this with a throaty little chuckle. “Starvation, hmmm, yes yes stealing and burning will be best. Gnolls will eat any food even if spoiled and poisoned. And they’d eat the rats too. But if there is no food then there is nothing for them to eat. Better if it looks like they ate it so the humans are even less trustful.” He smiles and nods enthusiastically at his own suggestion. “And traps, oh yes traps, that is especially my specialty. They will think they are marching into the hells.” There is another  mischievous laugh and grin from Ix as he sets down his quill and scans over the notes. “And we will keep an eye out for this allied saboteur.” He mimics the gesture and gives a dutiful nod. “It will be done.”

Nakia chuckles along with Ix. 

"Good news indeed. And anything you will need from me? Materials or weapons? We would be glad to provide anything to enable you in this task."

"Hmm..." Ix taps a claw against his chin scaly chin. "Perhaps, perhaps. If I may have some time to think over precisely what traps we shall employ, I can let you know if we'll require any materials."

"Of course" Nakia nods. "Draw up your plans, assemble your team and I will await here at the same time each evening for your reports." She stands, the meeting concluded and offers a hand to Ix

In the next days Sheercleft erupts in a frenzy of activity. 

After the news of an marching army to conquer them the sturdy miners where up to the task. There were concerned faces and some worrying whispers of course, but those people had regained there freedom not long ago and weren't going to allow anyone to came and conquer them once again. And this time the had the Archanost with them. 

Thurston seemed to be everywhere. He sent five members of the naked with with Bründir as his personal guard to Khaz a Grungron but the rest of it aided him preparing the city defenses. 

"Probably you should go to this mission... clothed " said Aiden at Thurston's side while they were talking to the volunteers. 

Thurston organized the people into different teams. Some worked on reinforcing the walls and external defenses of the city. Young women and men were put on firefighting duties, at least three barrels were appointed near the most relevant buildings and at the corners of the streets. Buckets were distributed and temas were formed. In case that they tried to start a fire they will be ready to fight it promptly. Also additional barrels were stationed to wet the ceilings and walls of the buildings once the army were at their gates, so the fires will not ignite easily. 

The great norscan spent a great deal of time at the forge, making weapons and shields for the citizens of Sheercleft. Many had weapons already, thanks to Thor, Tyr and Odin, but many were needed and he lost the count of how many arrowheads he made. 

The mornings he spent training the ones that would fight for the city. Trying to make them an efficient unit. The rest of the members of the Naked Guard and the seasoned veterans that were already members of the city guard helped him with that. 

To everyone that he gave a duty he repeated the same. " Don't **** it up. The lives of your family and friends, of all of us, is in your hands.... "

One night he was at the inn with a tankard of mead and ending a frugal dinner with Aiden and Val he nearly chocked.

"By Thor's beard!! I almost kill everyone in this town. How I can be so stupid? We must organize guard duties, specially in the wheels and our food resources. We cannot afford a sabotage. And we need those kobolds. And put some miners in the mines to be ready to block the passages in case they try to enter that way. We haven't explored all those tunnels yet and the may get lucky, or use some witchcraft to find the proper way. After all Vark made his way into the town following those tunnels." 

Next morning orders were given to cover such topics. 

Gabe overlooked the preparations with apparent interest. He seemed like the cat looking the mouse trying to escape the space between his paws, but didn't interfere with the Archanost work and even gave some advice here and then, but spent most of his time with Seid. 

Thurston were tired but he worked hard to make sure everyone was involved and had a task to do.