Unless anyone else has anything to add, I will post Ash and Kellen results tonight.
The two leave after the sun sets on the days after the fight at the lake (which occurred before sunrise that morning).
With all of your spells active, and all of their talents, they make it to the edge of the clearing which surrounds the lake with no problem.
With Kellen watching, Ash makes his way to the lake. There are no guards around the lake. Off to the side, you see a new structure. Quickly constructed, it appears to be a memorial to halfing warriors.
Once in the lake, you swim around and find nothing out of the ordinary for what you would expect. Fish and water.