Something has collapsed a mine-shaft, and the road along with it

You and Russ can begin to make sense of the scene once you get a little closer. There's a stream of men and women running down to the quarry carrying whatever tools they can carry, while an almost-as-dense line is coming back into the town from the mines. You see injured people all about, covered in thick layers of dust. Whoever isn't injured or is actively moving between the town or the quarry is tending to the wounded. Even children are carrying buckets of water or fetching clean bandages.

The scene is tragic, but also stirring - the entire community is acting together for the common good. That thought gives you hope, but hope alone won't tend to the injured miners here.

A lone sentry guards the gate to the town - his spear looks heavy in his hands, and his leather armor and crude helmet look to be several sizes too large. When you get close enough, you can see that he's more of a boy than a man. From the way that he's more focused on what's going on inside the town than your approach, it's clear what happened. The regular watchman was needed in the rescue effort, so this lad was made to take his place. He probably wants to be helping right now, but he's stuck at the entrance to the town.

The lad is so distracted that he doesn't even greet you. Russ announces your presence instead. "Ho there, boy! It's clear something awful has happened so I won't pressure you for directions, but perhaps you can tell us what's going on?"

"Mine collapse, sir. Real bad one, too. Took down half the mountain with it. Sure hope you weren't planning to pass through. Road goes under the mountain now." The boy doesn't even know well enough to ask what purpose two travelers have in town. You'd almost feel sorry for him, except that you've got a worse problem. Turning back now you'd lose at least a day, and that's if you ride hard and don't stop to rest.

"We have urgent business in Gerlangen. Surely there's another way?" You try to hide the anxiety in your voice, fully aware that your troubles mean nothing to this town while they're facing such a crisis, even if Thoros is ultimately a greater threat.

"Sorry miss, mayhaps there is, but I don't know the roads around here so well. Normally, there's plenty of people you could ask instead, but I don't think you'll be getting much help right now."

Russ recognizes your desperation, gives you a wink, and then turns back to the boy. "And if we were to offer our assistance, who might we inquire with?"

The young guard seems genuinely surprised, and you along with him. "Ah, I suppose that would be Foreman Harald, sir. He should be down in the quarry."

"Right. Good work boy. Oh, and keep your eyes turned out. You've an important job to do." Russ spurs his mount forward and you do the same to keep up with him.

"What are you doing? I feel awful for these people, but we don't have time to aid them."

He strokes his mustache as he considers how to answer your question. He's usually so quick to speak that his pause catches you off-guard. "Simple negotiation, Sabine St. Croix. We lose a day, or perhaps two, if we turn back now. Instead, perhaps we can exchange our assistance for knowledge of another route. Labor in any form doesn't hold much appeal, but at least helping these people would be a noble endeavor, don't you agree?"

You feel a hint of shame that a vagabond sword-for-hire should recognize such an obvious truth before you. "You're right," you agree with a sigh, "It could have been providence that led us here... 'A rose cannot always grow in the straightest path.' But if it would mean delaying longer than a day, we must turn back."

"Agreed. So then, we find this Foreman Harald and see what he can offer us, and what he expects in return."

You nod and ride your horses down into the quarry together.