Ellic says to Rom'Pei, "I need you to take us and a small group to Cheadsolas. I want to talk to the Taffers there and give them instructions on what to gather information on and report back."
"You said the Fey said three months. They may expedite the plans if they figure they have been discovered."
Later he asks, "Can anyone think of a reason they might want the slate mine? They would need the mine and the miners' expertise if they did, and that would necessitate them not killing anyone or making them hostile."