I've already talked to Nalia earlier in the game but just recently got out to her homeland (d'something...). There was no one at the gates... Am I "too late"? Or is there something I neglected to do that would start the quest and reveal the gate guard who is supposed to talk to us and lower the bridge?

walk around there. you'll see a small fort or something. inside you'll find Nalia and the captain. You will have to open the gates yourself (from the inside)

I've already walked all teh way around the complex! WHere is that little "fort"?

it's a wooden structure, in the lower left kind of corner of the map. Did you see the hidden entrance into the keep?

No--I'll look for it... WIll I have problems finding it?

Thanks!

Yes. If you had trouble finding the fort, the hidden entrance will elude you for years.

smirk!