Groaning in pain, the warden commander managed to say, "I yield! I yield! I do not expect your forgiveness on how I view your allies, my prince. IF you see fit that I am longer worthy enough to retain this position, then I will step down and let another take my place."

"Your opinion about my allies is YOUR business, Warden Commander," The Prince replied coldly, "My plans to save our people are MY business. You liken this struggle to that of a game of chess. Fair enough! I am a white bishop while you are a white rook. And you may keep your position and rank as Warden Commander. I need experienced leaders such as you for the fight ahead and I do not easily dispose of my chess pieces as you might think. Have I made myself clear, Warden Commander?"

"Yes, my prince. Very clear. As for the ridge line along the pass it is the only way out of the valley now leading to the capital but it is not secure enough for civilians to make the trip." Commander Irvan replied in earnest.

"Then they won't make the trip," Prince Willow looked towards the exit before he turned back to Commander Irvan, "Warden Commander, I charge both you and your rangers to form search parties. Go to every hamlet, village and town in The Southern Valley; search for survivors and bring any you find back here so they can be fed, healed and protected. Move in small teams, stay off of the main roads, take only game trails and paths known to our ilk. We need to save our people as much as we need to save the land. In the meantime, my allies and I will make for the ridge line along the pass and push on to the capital. Any questions?"

********

Down below in the yard everyone heard the ranger raise his voice. The elementalist and the bronze man quietly looked at each other. Caliaphy buzzed back over to Serna and hid underneath her hair from being startled.

"Don't worry, Caliaphy, I'm sure Willow is just having a little misunderstanding while he is getting re-acquainted with one of his men, that's all," Serna reassured the Fairy.

"Well, it was rather sudden and two, you wouldn't like the Bronze Man when he's angry. I have and that was a loooooooooooooong time ago. Scary. Just plain scary!" Caliaphy said with a dramatic flare.

"I'll take your word for it," Serna whispered back to Caliaphy, "Dragons can be scary when their not even angry. Trust me, I know."

Irzen grinned a little but said nothing.