The Prince ran over to Irzen's side and did his best to steady the Drow, "How are you?"

"In a great deal of pain and feeling like crap," The Swordsman replied, "But I'll live. All I need is a good healer and I will be ready to travel."

Irzen climbed atop Billy and waited to see what the wargoat would do next.

The wargoat headed back to the town in a steady trot and the ride was surprisingly smooth for the swordsman with the ranger close behind them.

Dragolem dropped the crippled orc to the ground with a thud, and it squealed in pain. "We got us a squealer!"

"Oh, look!" Irzen smiled with a sickly devilish grin, "An uninvited guest. Master Card, I'm bored. The friendly natives will entertain me!"

The elementalist raised both arms as an earthen hand came up out of the ground and held the orc in place. She looked at the injured swordsman, "Hold your tongue, Irzen. You're not in any place to do anything at the moment with that torn up leg. Besides, this is Willow's homeland and by rights, he has say over all of us here!"

Serna hunched her shoulders, "She's got a point."

"Very well," The Swordsman replied, "I have no problem with Willow deciding this Orc's fate."

Captain Andaerean reigned his horse around to the noise and drew one of his swords on Dragolem.

The draconian backed away from the mounted officer with both claws raised, "I'm with them."

"STAY YOUR SWORD!" Willow commanded as he ran past the wargoat and over to Dragolem's side, "This creature is an ally and a friend and I will see no harm befall it!"

The elven captain immediately turned back to the direction of the ranger, "Prince Willow!" And dismounted along with his men from their horses bowing before him.

"Rise, Captain Andaerean, rise all of you!" The Prince commanded, "How fare you and your men and the townsfolk? And what happened here pray tell?"

"We were a routine patrol through Westfall when the horde came. This group here is only a fraction of what we've seen and so far we've been able to keep them at bay. Some of the towns and villages near the borders were overwhelmed so fast that we were unable to stop them. We do know this, their sending out raiding parties, and taking prisoners, for what I do not yet know. I sent a messenger to Prince Yew but I've received no reply since and that was a week ago." The elven captain said with earnest.

"Your messenger was intercepted before he could reach my brother, no doubt by members of the horde. I carry the message for Prince Yew with me though the fate of your messenger is unknown." Willow asked, "Where is my brother? Do you know?"

The Bronze Man walked over to the Swordsman and healed his leg and foot not saying a word. When he was done, Lazheros walked over quietly to the ranger, "Pardon the interruption, Prince Willow the letter that was given to you was from your father not from Captain Andaerean. A few of our friends broke off to assist the hill dwarves in the Southern Valley and returned with the message."

"I stand corrected," The Prince turned towards The Bronze Man.

"Then all is not lost, Captain Mandur has always been a loyal and faithful supporter of your father, Prince Willow." Andaerean nodded.

"That is good to know in these trying times," Willow responded with a firm nod.

One of the other riders caught sight of Alyson's gauntlets, "Sir, the woman has golden gauntlets, similar to a tiara that was given to Prince Willow's betrothed."

"What of it?" The Prince replied nonchalantly.

The elementalist didn't utter a word as she listened intently.

"My lady began to act strangely the past few weeks, and became consumed by greed," The rider continued his story, "One night about a week and a half ago, "There was a terrifying roar echoing throughout the entire kingdom. Some say it was a dragon but no one could 'see' anything."

"Do you know what drove her to greed?" The Prince asked with a quizzical look upon his face, "And is there such a thing as a dragon that can turn invisible?"