The guardsman stopped at three doors, "These are the guest chambers my lady referred to you. I will return shortly."

"Thank you," Irzen replied before he opened the doors and entered his room, "Not bad! Not bad at all. This is pretty spacious."

Serna was the first to enter her room before she came to a full stop, "WWWOOOWWW!!!"

"Hmm," The elementalist took notice of the room in the middle. The furnishings were exquisite which meant it was for royalty and the ones on either side were for the servants and retainers of the guest. "Boys on the left, girls on the right, although I would prefer to stay with Lazheros in one room but on the other hand I don't want to leave Serna by herself with Lord Irzen."

"So do you think I'm going to be a bad influence on her or do you think she's going to be a bad influence on me?" Irzen asked Alyson from the depths of the room he entered, "And if you're wondering how I can hear you--Elven hearing is very good."

"I was making a simple observation, Irzen, and yes I do know elves have great hearing as well as vision to which I am a bit envious of," Alyson sighed and walked into the room where the swordsman was. "But hey, lets let Serna decide where she wants to sleep."

Serna walked out of the room she was in, took the Bronze Man by the hand and walked into the room where Irzen and Alyson were, "I think I'll stay with you, Alyson," The Shield Maiden looked at both the Swordsman and the Cleric, "While the two of you stay here and start mending fences."

Lazheros looked down at her and wondered what she was up to as she lead him into the chamber. "Mend fences? Oh dear."

A grin formed on the face of the elementalist at first, then a giggle slipped out when she looked over at the bronze man, who raised an eye brow at her. Alyson could no longer keep her laughter at bay and let it out, "Hahahahahahaha!"

Serna then took Alyson by the hand and marched out of the room with the Elementalist while she said over her shoulder, "Alyson and I had our differences and we worked things out. Now its your turn!"

Lazheros just watched the two of them exit the room in disbelief.

When Lazheros and Irzen were alone together, the Swordsman said after an awkward minute of silence, "Gotta love that kid. She's smarter than she looks and she's more mature than she knows."

"She should enjoy her childhood as much as she can and enjoy it. There's no need to rush one such as her into becoming an adult." The bronze man said quietly.

+++

Willow did not immediately follow the others. He hung back and waved them onward until they disappeared from view. Then he turned towards the Princess as he took her hand into his own, "We are alone now. Is there anything more I need to know? Is there anything you can tell me now that you could not tell me in front of my friends?"

"I have concerns about Eilionwy, Princess of House Fern, your bethroed, I fear some fell magic has gripped her so tightly that its nearly impossible to reason with her. Prince Yew did not see what I had seen when she came for a visit some three weeks ago, there was a loathing and guile that lay beneath her eyes especially when I saw her new tiara. I've known many ancient artifacts, studied them, or have read of them in all my years of study but this artifact was not meant for her to bear. During one of our state dinners, her voice changed and the manner of how she spoke was not her own. I believe the tiara is cursed and it has claimed her mind and soul, however, I did take notice of a similar artifact piece, your friend the elementalist was wearing. I believe the two pieces are connected but it still doesn't explain why the horde is here. Why, would they come and invade, we have been at peace for many generations. Is it true, that this vile horde leader once served Venger?" Liliandra explained her side of the story to Willow with great concern.

"It is true," Willow added, "Grummasht once served the Dark Lord as did my Drow companion, Lord Irzen. The bad news is that Grummasht is a battle-hardened commander. The good news is that Lord Irzen is as well. He has provided me with great insight into the nature of our enemy. With his knowledge and our resolve, we can defeat this horde, though I fear it will not be easy."

The Prince sighed, "As it relates to Princess Eilionwy, much of what you have said was told to me by Captain Andaerean. She clearly is not herself and your words have only confirmed my worst fears. I confess though this cursed artifact is something new to my ears and the elementalist has worn hers for quite some time with no ill effects to be seen. Still, I will tell Alyson what you have told me. She might be able to shed some light on this matter."

Princess Liliandra's eyes brightened a little at the mention of Alyson's gauntlets.

"Is there anything else I should know before I go?" Willow stared into the eyes of his sister-in-law.

"Trust your family but do not trust those whom you believe to be friends in this dark hour. The traitor walks these halls of that I am sure, be cautious." Liliandra leaned forward in said in a hushed tone.

"I will keep your words close to my heart," Willow drew close, "But whom do you suspect treason, Lili?"

"I can not say now, there are eyes and ears always listening, Willow. Be mindful of your surroundings as you always have." Liliandra smiled to keep up appearances.