Teflar stretched his bow " You can go ahead, little one. I've my arrow aimed right at it. I'm not taking any chances if it decides to threaten us."
The thief tried unlocking the bars but stepped back with frustration when his attempts were futile. " There must be another way to get this little creature out of there." He clenched his fists and spun around slowly
" Maybe it knows where the key might be."
Aramil and Roslyn surveyed the immediate surroundings, but nothing seemed evident.
The rogue tried in vain to coax the gnome to speak on the whereabouts of a key, but the prisoner only moaned. With no help, Nanith pondered a thought. I think I know where the key might be. I’ll be back in a jiffy!" Roslyn watched as Nanith scuttled off back towards the door. " I wonder where he is going." Turning to the gnome, she spoke slowly " Who put you in here? I can try to bandage your wounds if we can get you out."

The gnome swiveled his head tenderly and spoke in the common tongue.
" I was ambushed on the old road through Fawley's Point. Are you here to take me home?"

Teflar dropped his bow and reacted excitedly " Yes, yes! We are here to get you out. But first can you navigate us through this horrible dungeon?"

The gnome coughed hoarsely " I don't remember exactly where I am, but if you let me out, I will be your aide in the endeavor."

The woodsman smiled " Excellent! We were hoping to be led into the goblin dens and it seems we are on the right track." The ranger leaned in " What is your name by the way?"

The humanoid's eyes grew soft as he monitored the party through the vertical bars " My name is Timbra Kyganz....from the line of Steamhills from Northern Qenctin."

Confused faces surrounded the small cage and Roslyn deferred to Gailwind for some understanding on this geographical location. The lorist came into view and nodded " The Steamhills were known for shipmaking along the Krile coastlines; the southern mainland of Zegithir."

Nanith returned in ill spirits " The key is nowhere to be found. All those nasty pockets were empty. I'll say one thing for certain, those goblins weren't the main body of any cult that is down here."

Erelis reached over and tested the strength of the rusty bars with his right hand. " I think we can bend them open. The resilient might is long-lost from these old, iron rails."

Nanith deferred " Well, I guess one of the stronger party members should try and bend the bars. I might have something in here to help us." The hobbit started rummaging through his backpack, absentmindedly murmuring to himself.

Slinging his bow over his shoulder, Vrai turned from watching the javelin room. " Perhaps someone else's keen eyes can guard our exit." Aramil immediately relieved the archer from his guard position allowing the mercenary to join the group alongside the psionic. " I may be of some help. If I grab one bar and Erelis takes its neighbor, we might pull two of them far enough apart for this fellow to squeeze through. The longer we tarry in this prison room, the sooner we'll be fighting more goblins, so let's get on with it." Both Vrai and Teflar strained at the bars with both hands. They pulled with all their might and, at first, the iron barely yielded. Little by little, however, the rails bowed out and the gnome was carefully pulled from its prison.

Oktavianus astonished " How long have you been down here?"

Timbra rested sideways upon the moldy floor barely able to move. " It's been twelve days to the best of my recollection. I survived due to my healing arts." The gnomes head laid upon the floor as if it were a comfortable pillow.

At first, the humanoids weren't overly-concerned about the fellowship's presense; probably resigned on Pomeer being another captive to be added to their spike. Realizing that they weren't going to be killed, all three yapped for their freedom in high-pitched squeals until the dwarf smacked them into submission.