Orym looked at the drow swordsman warily, "I welcome your personal insight regarding this war orc, however, I will let the prince ask since it pertains to him solely."

"It pertains to us ALL if you wish to have our aid," Irzen responded flatly, "But, since we are in your embassy and thus your guests here, I will be more than happy to defer to your prince."

Willow gave Irzen a look and then turned to his Emissary, "Orym, what else must I know? What are you not telling me? Is there more that I need to know and you are shy about sharing such knowledge in mixed company? Answer me, in private or public, but answer me you will."

The emissary glared at the drow swordsman, "You are here at the behest of my prince, you will know your place!" He calmed down a little and turned his attention back to Willow, "Your father is convinced that when you chose exile over the arranged marriage to Lady Meliantha, she began to act strangely from the gift she received, or rather it simply appeared through some means of magic."

Irzen merely gave the emissary a sardonic smile.

Alyson approached Emissary Orym, "Pardon, my lord when did she acquire this strange gift?"

Orym glanced past the ranger's shoulder, "Just before the horde was seen on the southern most reaches of the kingdom. There was a strange and ancient magical force that was felt all over the kingdom."

One of the elven guards added, "And the sound of an Ancient dragon roar but no one saw any sign of any dragon. There have been no dragons in the kingdom of North Haven for the past five hundred years."

Serna said not a word as she attentively watched and listened to everything transpiring around her.

Lazheros and Armendes turned to the elementalist who was now in gold draconic armor. The wizard gasped and the Bronze Man remained calm, "Another piece of the Crimson Dragon is calling her Emissary Orym. The ancient dragon roar that you all heard was a summons that she cannot dismiss or deny. Should any of you encounter the other with the piece that the elementalist finds, do not interfere."

"Fair enough," Irzen quipped non-chalantly.

Emissary Orym spoke up, "The legend of the Crimson Dragon is true, then I invite all of you to lend us your aid. Any more details will be given at a later time by order of your father, Prince Willow."

"First you beg for my help, then you tell me to know my place, now you go back to begging for my help once more," Irzen wistfully announced to the Emissary, "I wonder which are you going to do right before Gruumasht reaches down your throat, rips out your heart and laughs at you while your dying in a pool of your own blood?"

The Bronze Man looked at the Swordsman, "Enough of this petty business of who knows who, swordsman. We get the point about Gruumasht and your personal experience with him which will serve you and the others well. Had this been your homeland that was under attack, it would only seem fair that you take the lead but it is not."

"Point taken," The Swordsman responded with a firm nod, "But my business with this emissary is far from petty. It's about respect."

Alyson sighed, "Irzen, if you have a problem going to Willow's homeland just say it. Stop beating around the bush, good grief."

"I have no problem going to Northaven," The Swordsman responded, "I would follow my friend anywhere if he needed me to be there. My quarrel is with a certain emissary who seeks to denigrate a nobleman with whom he is not familiar."

The Swordsman turned towards The Emissary, "I am Dy'var Irzen, Lord of House Sylvar, Captain of The Shadow Riders and Defender of Naermon Nithron. In the Common tongue, my homeland is known by the name Shadows-By-The-Lake or Shadow Haven. And you, Emissary, will afford me the respect that is due my rank and station whether you like it or not!"

The emissary gave the swordsman another wary look, "Be that as it may, Lord Irzen your advice has been noted. Mind you, not all of our people will look kindly on you even in the company of Prince Willow, unless he can vouch for you personally."

"And I do vouch for him," The prince immediately retorted, "Lord Irzen is both an ally and a friend. And any ally and friend of mine is also an ally and a friend of the Crown. We have shed blood together, fought together and saved each others lives more times than I can count. As I vouch for him now, so I will vouch for him before our people and my father, the king."

Alyson rolled her eyes wishing that her uncle was still here. At least he had the patience to put Irzen in his proper place without incident. ~ This is getting ridiculous between who's noble and where from!~

The Bronze Man sighed, "Very well, Lord Irzen, you have the floor. Say what you wish to say. Either way, this is a matter for the ranger, you and your friends may accompany him if he chooses."

"I've said my peace and I've made my point," The Swordsman replied confidently, "All we need do now is leave for Northaven."

"Okay," The elementalist grumbled, "What's the fastest way to go to North Have from here?"

Lazheros narrowed his eyes at the Swordsman for a moment lost in thought. Shaking his head he turned to the elementalist, "There is a portal that connects to any of the Elven kingdoms within the Realm at the Ancient Oak. The colossal tree just east of Asylum. Speak with the Elder there and he may show you the way to your homeland, Prince Willow."

"Thank you, Lazheros," Willow turned towards the Bronze Man, "We will leave at once."

"You sound like you're not joining us, Lazheros," The Swordsman quipped, "What's the matter? Don't you want to go all draconic and electrocute some Orcs? We really could use a heavy-hitter like you on our side, especially if things are as bad as the emissary says."