"Now you know what I know," The Prince concluded, "What do you think?"

"Excellent idea, my prince," Elbauthin came back over to the ranger and his friends, "My friends and family have been on the run for the last few days and were nearly out of food and water until the timely intervention from your friends. We might be able to make the journey if we weren't hounded by the horde. I would rather my family and I stay here while the wardens and rangers scout and patrol looking for more of our kin."

"Our Rangers would be glad for your company, Elbauthin," Willow announced, "And any aid that you and your family can offer them."

"I'm going to miss Elbereth," Serna confessed sadly, "But she should be with her own family especially in these dangerous times."

The Bronze Man had time to take in the feel and surroundings of the hidden outpost, "I understand your position, Elbauthin and the need to protect your family, a wise choice."

"Agreed," The Swordsman nodded, "Family first. But if you have a map or could draw us a map that would help us take the ridge line to the capital, we would be in your debt."

Elbauthin took off his backpack and took out a detailed map and handed it to the Swordsman. The map was very detailed showing him all the side trails leading into and out of the Southern Valley. Old ruins and other places of interest that lined both sides of the valley itself. The Ridge Line was the only pass that was out in the open following the crest of valley's western side. Only those who were well armed and prepared could traverse it. Between the wildlife, the weather, or the occasional bandit raiders that looked for unsuspecting victims. "Take this for you and your friends. It will aid you in times of need."

"Willow, did the warden commander mention anything else about the area?" The elementalist asked the ranger.

"Nothing more than what I have told you, Alyson," The Prince concluded, "You know all that I know now. If you wish to ask him a question or speak with him, a meeting can be quickly arranged."

"Thank you," The Swordsman accepted the map from Elbauthin graciously, "This will go a very long way towards helping us save your people."

Irzen held up the map for all to see, "Hmmm, there's a game trail that we could take along the ridge line as we make our way north. But once we reach the western crest of the valley, we will not only clear the ridge line but also be out in the open. If there are anyone on the plain beyond the valley, they will see us coming."

"Well, couldn't we just fly there?" Serna whispered to everyone gathered around her, "I mean, we have the means to do it. Why can't we just fly to the capitol as opposed to just walking there?"

Lazheros gave the shield maiden a hard look this time, "No. Out of the question. We do not need to let the enemy know we're here, and I do not want to scare the ranger's kin. This is not Asylum where everyone there knows what I am. Here, I am just a cleric of Bahamut, a servant of the people, nothing more."

"Eeep!" Serna jumped back away from Lazheros when she got his hard look and held up her hands, "It was just an idea, that's all."

"He has a very good point, Serna, we are allies of the prince here. We are not well known to his people, and if we were to fly in as you suggest, we would most likely make more enemies than allies." The elementalist agreed with the Bronze Man.

"Or at the very least scare the living hell out of people," The Swordsman quipped as he dropped to one knee and looked Serna in the eye, "I hate to say it! But I have to agree with Lazheros on this one. If we could teleport there, then I would be fine with that! But flying in would be too risky and too dangerous."

Willow walked over and gave Serna a reassuring wink of the eye, "Besides, we should not be so quick to let our enemy know that we have powerful allies of our own." The Prince nodded over to the Cleric and the Elementalist.

"You had a good idea, Serna," The Swordman smiled, "Just bad timing. Okay?"

"Okay!" The Shield Maiden smiled a little.

"Does anyone need anything else before we depart?" The Prince asked no one in particular, "If you do, my people will supply it. All you need do is ask."

Irzen rose to his feet, confronted The Bronze Man and said with a sardonic twist, "Don't you think you were a little strong in your response, pal?! Scaring little girls?! REALLY?! What would Bahamut think?!"