"Veermok chief-chief! The surface-humans move-move to our mine!". It is not technically your mine, but the surface point for the ratmen in this region is probably going to be a natural mine. Veermok could probably forgive the ratmen chief speaking to him, a lowly rat which commands his swarms.
Veermok's bodyguards, tall and armored for a rat, stop him in their tracks with their halberds. Loyal, or at least as loyal as a rat can get. After a moment of clarification and much squeaking, the swarm chief is allowed closer. He creeps closer, damp nose frenetically moving to check he will not killed. Undoubetdly, he is here to gain a favor too.
"Chief-chief, there are disgusting men-people closing in on our mine..."