Their backs against the wall, the party redoubles their efforts. Gronk lands two mighty blows on one of the apes, firmly dispatching it. Simultaneously, West invoked another stroke of lightning on the adept, nearly slaying him and forcing him back behind the hobgoblin lines. The other ape attempted to grapple Gronk, but couldn't solidify its grip. West lost concentration on another summoning spell, but Gronk severly wounded the second ape. As it retreated, the hobgoblin ranks broke and rushed them.
Although outnumbered 10 to 2 and surrounded, Gronk and West fought valiantly, tearing through the hobgoblins. After a very brief skirmish, the remaining few broke and ran. Unfortunately, both the adept and the apparent leader were among those who escaped, covered in part by a great foggy cloud conjured by West. Once the field of battle is clear, West healed his animal companion enough to walk, and the three wounded comrades retreated to the surface. They found a large hill to hide behind, then West healed their remaining wounds. Gronk suggested they head back in to finish off the remaining hobgoblins, but West felt strongly they should wait so he could recover his magical energies.
The next morning, Oleg arose from a comfortable night's sleep in Irongate. He spent a short time in the Guild library, researching the magical orb the wizard was digging for. He found nothing, but had a prior appointment at the jail. He entered, and was led to a small, dank cell holding three improbably large dwarves. While two watched mutely, the third was delivering a severe beating to the hobgoblin. After a short while, they offered to translate Oleg's interrogation. Oleg, though, was visibly dismayed, and asked only one question -- why were the hobgoblin raiders active in the area? When the hobgoblin spat out that they were a scouting party, Oleg left him to his fate and returned to the library.
Oleg's research took him deep into the night. By early morning, though, he'd compiled information on the teleporting orb the wizard Sionaas was apparently seeking. If the stories he'd found were true, the orb was created by a wizard long ago, his name lost in the sands of time. The crystal ball was a key to a pocket dimension, or an extradimensional space, though the records on this point weren't clear. By using the crystal ball correctly, one could access this space, gaining access to the cache of powerful magic. As a defensive mechanism, though, if the orb were ever exposed to any other magic, it would teleport away. Thus, it has been kept safe for centuries.
Meanwhile, Gronk and West spent an anxious night anticipating an ambush that never came. In the morning, they tentatively approached the outpost, but met no resistance. They ran through it quickly one time, looking for any remaining foes, but found none. They did, however, find four members of the Irongate city guard, who'd been captured while on patrol. They rescued the guards, who proceeded to arm themselves and then partake of the hobgoblin food supply. West and Gronk ransacked the place, finding assorted coins, jewelery, and several sheafs of papers. In addition to sleeping quarters and food stores, they found a small blacksmith's shop tucked away in one corner, and a shrine apparently devoted to ritual sacrifice and other profane acts.
They finished ransacking the outpost shortly before the dwarves were done with their meal. West offered to go scout alone, but the warrior pointely stated it would be best if neither the bear nor the orc was left alone with them. Gronk also protested "I'm sneaky, too!" After initial scouting turned up nothing of interest, the whole group returned to the surface. They marched back in the direction of the dig site. Upon spotting it, Gronk and West pondered whether they should camp a short distance away or re-enter the camp. The dwarves gave no consideration to their discussion, heading straight for the camp while they dithered.
Seeing the warm reception the dwarves got, Gronk and West decided to return to the camp as well. A pair of dwarves were the first to notice them. They spoke briefly, then split, running in opposite directions. "This doesn't look good," West observed. Shortly thereafter, they spotted Migan making his way to them from one side, and a small horde of dwarves, maybe a full score, coming at them from the other. They noticed the dwarves were each carrying a full stein .. except for the dwarves who had two! The party aimed for Migan, hoping for an explanation before they were overrun.
Migan explained that the community was extremely impressed with Gronk, for his hard work in digging dwarves out of the cave-in a few days ago. An orc digging to save dwarves was simply unheard of. They were so impressed that they gave him a middle name. To dwarves, he explained, a middle name was not just another name. It was a sign of great respect, considered to be halfway between a given name and a clan name. It is one of the highest honors that can be conferred, short of being given a full clan name. As Migan finished explaining, the horde caught up with Gronk and West. They both wound up wearing quite a lot of beer, and while West quietly disappeared, Gronk was dragged back to the mess tent to celebrate. The festivities started dying down at about 2 .. just in time for the next shift to arrive and pick things up again!
The next morning, Oleg leaves Irongate to rejoin the party with what he has learned. Meanwhile, Gronk is just getting to sleep as West wakes up. West spends the day peacefully with nature, and the trio are reunited over supper. They share what they have learned with each other, and consider what their next move should be. Address the Wizard/Crystal Ball? Pursue the hobgoblins?
As they considered, they heard a commotion. Looking up, they saw a lone dwarvish horseman running his horse towards camp at full speed. He arrived breathless at the camp, and insisted on speaking in confidence with the party. When they had withdrawn to the modest privacy of a tent, he announced that he was a messenger from Tebur. Tebur was instructing them to make contact with the hobgoblin tribe moving into the area, and open negtiations with them. When queried, the messenger professed no knowledge of what they should be negotiating for. He admitted that peace talks with hobgoblins was akin to treason, and was confused that Tebur would make such a request. Nevertheless, those were his instructions.
The party was very displeased with the message. They complained that the interests of Irongate were not being met, that the task was suicide, and that there was no compensation or hope therein. They spoke privately, then told the messenger "Return to Tebur. Tell him we will do what he asks, uncompensated, but not at his whim. We have our own reasons." Those reasons were a fear of the impact a large tribe of hobgoblins might have on the community, and no credible way of deaing with a significant force.