There were a pair of High Elven guards posted on either side of the entrance. Upon seeing Willow, they immediately bowed before him, and eyed the others suspiciously. "Only the Prince is allowed to enter."

"Do not try the patience of the Guardian of Asylum," The wizard gestured to The Bronze Man who viewed both of them silently.

"Rise to your feet," Willow commanded both of the guards.

Both of the High Elf guards looked at each other nervously for a moment. "Very well. The decision is up to our Prince. Our orders are clear, sire, no entry from no one, unless from the royal family."

"On whose orders do you issue such a command?" Willow asked, "Did my father give these orders? Or my mother? Or are any of my brothers or their wives here? Who commanded you to bar entry to all except those of my bloodline?"

The elven guard on the right spoke up, "Sire, our orders come from Emissary Orym of the High Council by order of your father. Not by anyone else, for they are busy waylaying the hoard by any means possible."

"I see," Willow responded simply.

The second elven guard opened the door of the suite for Willow to enter when an aged and elegant voice came from within, "My prince? Where have you been all this while?"

"Travelling the Realm, High Emissary Orym," Willow responded, "It's good to see you again. Although I wish our greeting was under different circumstances."

Walking up to the threshold of the suite stood, High Emissary Orym. He was tall and fair like Willow but far older and wiser. Long black hair draped down in front and back of his shoulders over his elegant attire. He viewed the others warily standing on either side of Willow. "Belay, those orders, captain. Please come in, we have much to discuss, my prince."

"Indeed we do," Willow motioned the others to join him as well.

"And what of his companions?" The elven captain asked.

"Against my better judgement, let them in. All of them, the last thing I want to do is anger the Guardian of Asylum in his own city." Emissary Orym motioned to the party.

"A wise decision, High Emissary Orym," Willow walked with the elder statesman, "What is going on here? Who is attacking Northaven? And why?"

"About a month ago we started hearing rumors of a massive horde being led by a former orc captain that left Venger's army. A deserter, who had his own ideas of conquest. Whoever this orc is, he is well versed in the tactics of battle. He's countered every move in our attempts to thwart, and drive this fell enemy from our lands." Orym grumbled as he took out a map of the entire kingdom of Northaven, pointing out what region the horde has claimed in its conquest to Willow. "I can assure you of this, your father has done everything in his power to see this foe driven from his kingdom and failed. That is why he dispatched us of the high council to seek aid and support."

"And what of our allies?" Willow asked with some concern as he studied the map, "My other three brothers have married into the royal families of other Elven kingdoms. Have they rallied their families and their people to our aid? And by what name is this Orc deserter known? I might have heard of him during my travels."

Emissary Orym sighed, "Your father sent for them upon hearing the southern region being attacked by other members of the high council. Hopefully, they would have arrived at the capital. As to the name of this orc warlord, I do not know his name. However, the scouts reported that he was far taller, wearing heavy armor and wields two great axes."

"Axes, you say?" Lazheros stepped next to the Ranger. "During my travels with Madeous Khyng, we encountered a fierce and brutal Orc barbarian in service to Venger wielding two battle axes. He goes by Gruumasht, and he is not to be taken lightly. It took all of us to take him on, and that was only when we fought our way through his troops."

Irzen drew close and took a good hard look at the map as well. Serna kept silent yet watched the proceedings with great interest.

"Gruumasht?!" Orym went rigid, "We will be glad to have you and your friends lend us any aid, my prince."

"So old Gruumasht finally decided to step out of Venger's shadow," Irzen smiled wistfully before he turned to everyone, "I know this Orc. When I was in service to The Dark Lord, we met several times during war councils as we planned for campaigns."

"Gruumasht has no love of elves of any kind going back to old rivalries and animosity of who's the better race to conquer and enslave or kill on sight." The Bronze Man added.

"True, but he is willing to work with them so long as it achieves their ends," Irzen corrected The Bronze Man, "Trust me, I've had more encounters with this Orc than you have. I know who we are dealing with."

The Drow Swordsman sighed, "This Orc you face is no fool! He is as brilliant as he is ugly. Gruumasht is a charismatic war leader, a brilliant strategist and an able tactician. Venger awarded him a medal called The Blood Cross for successfully laying siege to the City Fortress of Harandspar."

"A smart orc?" Alyson frowned, "Well snap, that can't be good at all."

Irzen concluded, "I suspect most of his horde are probably comprised of his own troops. All of his Orcs are battle-hardened warriors who would gladly follow their leader into the Ninth Plane of Hell. It will not be easy to stop this Orc and his horde, Willow, I promise you that!"

Armendes stepped forward and addressed Emissary Orym, "There was mention of a possible traitor?"

Orym glanced up at the golem, "We've learned that someone of considerable influence has been aiding this fell orc which would make sense in how he's been able to counter our battle tactics. Which makes this situation more dangerous."

"Do you know the identity of this traitor?" Willow asked, "Or is he hidden from us?"