Lazheros just sighed at the shield maiden, "My only advise you young one is just be yourself to the best of your abilities. Don't change because you want to, only change if you have no other option left."

"But if I don't change unless I am forced to, then how can I grow?" Serna asked with child-like honesty, "And if I don't grow, then how will I become a better person?"

"What I am saying has nothing to do as you grow physically, Serna. You will grow with each passing day. You are a still a child soon to become a teenager, a young adult, and so on. Learn and remember those who are your friends, allies, and yes, enemies will teach you things that you may or may not like but that is life and all of its oddities. You have your role models to learn from, those who were, those who are, and those who have to come along. Enjoy life and be brave in the face of adversity." The bronze man smiled warmly.

"I thought I was doing all of that by being here," Serna half mentioned to herself.

Lazheros placed a hand gently on her shoulder with a smile, "Just be yourself, child. Just be who you are."

"I can do that. I can be myself. Wow! That's the first time I've ever seen you smile." Serna smiled back at the Bronze Man, "You should smile more often. You have a really nice smile."

*******

Prince Yew:

House of Bark, King of Northaven, you are
ordered to mobilize the cavalry at once. Full contingent to ready at sunrise on fifth day.

You are to hold back the invading horde as
much as you can spare. If this enemy starts to overwhelm, fall back to Westfall, and so forth.>

Signed: (Seal of the Sunrider, Tenth of his line
of the House of Bark, King of Northaven.)

Prince Willow read the message aloud so all could hear it. He sighed and turned to the others, "Thoughts anyone?"

Lazheros came over shaking his head at the Swordsman then turned to the Ranger, "Perhaps, what Emissary Orym mentioned about their being a turncoat, or traitor forced the messenger to an alternative route and came upon the hill dwarves, who are loyal to the sovereign of this land."

Alyson shrugged, "Could be this traitor, or could be Gruumasht found a way to undermine some of the defenses that your father had placed in case of an invasion."

"It could be both," Irzen confessed, "A well placed traitor could have forced the messenger to take an alternative route or ended the messenger's life. On the other hand, Gruumasht has cast his forces far and wide throughout this valley. They could have happened upon the messenger purely by accident."

"Either way we have to deliver that message. Don't we, Willow?" Serna asked The Prince.

"Indeed we must," The Prince sighed, "The fate of my people may very well depend upon it. I know the way to Westfell. If we leave now and do not tarry in our pace, then we can reach its borders by nightfall. If you need any rest, take it now. If you need any more supplies, secure them now. In five minutes, we leave for The Kingdom of Westfell.

"Agreed." The elementalist nodded.

Dragolem looked over at the shield maiden, "If you get too tired, you can ride on my back, or you can ride with the swordsman on the goat."

"Thanks, Dragolem," Serna smiled at the Draconic Elemental, "I was right about you, you're not all bad."

"You can use my goat if you like, Alyson," Irzen offered, "I have more than enough endurance to carry me to Westfell without falling faint."

"I am fine for now, Irzen. Thanks, I will keep it mind." Alyson realized that Quake would worked out great here being big enough to carry everyone.

Willow went to retrieve his arrows and return them to his quiver.

"We are ready whenever you are, Prince Willow." Lazheros gestured towards the Ridge Line pass once more.

The Shield Maiden walked over to Dragolem, "I think I'll take you up on that offer of a ride now."

Dragolem cracked his head side to side for a second before he dropped to all fours to let the shield maiden climb onto his back.

Serna climbed atop Draconic Elemental and held on to him tightly, "Ready when you are, Dragolem."

"Suit yourself," The Swordsman remounted the goat, "I never thought I'd be riding a goat, but then I never thought the ride would be as smooth as it has been."

"Look at this way, Irzen, you can scout way ahead if you see or hear trouble. Two, a wargoat is a formidable steed for any enemy to take head on." The elementalist followed behind Dragolem with the Bronze Man next to her.

"Both good points," Irzen nodded in agreement.

"Follow me," Having retrieved all of his arrows, the Prince led them in the direction towards Westfell by way of the Ridge Line Pass.

The party made their way across the Ridge Line pass without any more trouble. It seemed that whatever bandits, goblins, or larger creatures were no longer a threat. As they came down off the pass and into the woodlands, sounds of battle could be heard up ahead. Sounds of elves and orcs clashing with common folks shouting and screaming for cover.

Irzen dismounted and quietly moved on ahead to see what was transpiring before the others arrived on the scene.