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?"

The rider hung his head, "No, my prince, I do not know what drove her to this state, she had always done right by her people."

The bronze man rubbed his chin, "No dragon can turn invisible without using magic per say. Some dragons like the green often apply spells of Illusion to mask their lairs and territory, such as an Hallucinatory Terrain. Who or whatever is doing this is applying a metamagic feat to enhance the 'roar' as a means of intimidation. Red dragons are always found near volcanoes or near mountainous hot spots but its rather odd from what you described as the roar of a red dragon here in the open valley and hills."

"I thought the lure of treasure could draw forth a red dragon regardless of terrain," Willow mentioned with a quizzical look, "The wealth of my kin is legendary in these parts. Mayhaps that could be what the dragon is seeking?"

"That is true. Perhaps, someone in their travels mentioned to others, word spread of the wealth here," Lazheros nodded in agreement with the ranger, "and a dragon of vile nature decided to see if the rumors and stories were true."

Alyson finally spoke up, "Willow, how well do you know the lady elf? The one you were betrothed to, and have you even met?"

The Prince sighed, "I was bethroed to her while I was still in my mother's womb. We met once, fifty years ago, shortly before I departed my father's kingdom. Our fathers arranged for our meeting as part of an official state visit. Eilionwy, Princess of House Fern, was third in line for the throne of the Kingdom of Aconitum. She was beautiful enough for my tastes and quite fetching to the eye. But her eyes were locked onto my eldest brother, Ash, or more importantly the crown that would one day be his upon our father's death."

Willow added, "For the entire evening during that state visit, I tried to talk to her to learn more about the she-elf that I was destined to marry. All she talked about was my eldest brother, his accomplishments in statecraft and his acumen in battle. Though my brother was bethroed to another, I knew then that she coveted him and his position more than she could ever possibly love me. Once the state visit was over and she returned to her kingdom, I declared to my father my opposition to our union. Over my objections, my father decreed that I was to marry Eilionwy in a fortnight. I responded by exiling myself from my father's kingdom and I have neither seen my lands nor my people until now."