"Vel'uss ph'nind? Bbil xor mua?" The Swordsman asked the Cleric.

Translation: "Who are they? Friend or foe?"

"That is the Ranger's oldest brother, the Crown Prince, Ash." Lazheros discerned from his position, "Hmm, I advise caution Lord Irzen."

"Venta'kyorl Irzen," The Swordsman corrected The Cleric, "Jhal dos ph'ditron. Uk kluthak mzild mua taga abbil ulu uns'aa. Gu'e! vel'drav xunus dos screa ulu telanth ilythiiri?"

Translation: "Captain Irzen," The Swordsman corrected The Cleric, "But you are right. He seems more foe than friend to me. Hey! When did you learn to speak Drow?"

The bronze man waved him off, "I cast the spell, Tongues, Captain Irzen. It allows me to understand a language that I am unfamiliar with."

Captain Andaerean immediately turned riding up to Prince Ash stopping not more than ten feet from the crown prince, "Excellency, I bring word from Westfall and Prince Willow has returned with allies hailing from Asylum."

Prince Ash and his generals looked at each other for a moment talking among themselves when the crown prince addressed him, "Captain Andaerean, report. What news of my brother Prince Yew?"

"A sizable portion of the Horde was sent to claim Westfall and failed through valiant efforts of Prince Willow's allies. Prince Yew and his company were ambushed during one of their patrols and was captured. We were successful in dispatching any threats to our kin, Excellency and were able to retrieve Prince Yew." The elven captain paused for a moment, "Your brother is healed physically but his mind is shattered, or broken by some fell magic. Prince Yew remains in Westfall under the guidance of Princess Liliandra."

The crown prince glanced about the battle field and noticed the drow swordsman and the elven healer, "And why is there a drow here among your company, Captain?"

"That is Lord Dy'var Irzen, a friend and ally of Prince Willow, Excellency. He has knowledge of Horde leader, Gruumasht. The other is from Asylum, a cleric of Bahamut, I believe." Andaerean replied.

Irzen merely cleaned his sword and re-sheathed it before he gave the Crown Prince a curt bow, "Vendui', Chuth, Eldalie Qu'ess! Vin'ult lu'al tha!"

Translation: "Greetings, Ash, Elven Prince! Hail and well met!"

Lazheros gave the crown prince a courtly bow stating his status, rank and position of his faith. "Vedui', taren lith, amin naa lazheros, Amandil en' bahamut."

"Amandil? Ah, healers are most welcome here," Prince Ash approached the bronze man and the drow swordsman. He eyed Irzen suspiciously for a moment longer, "Had the circumstances been different, your ally would of been asked to leave. We do not like their kind here, however, Captain Andaerean has been a long friend of the royal family and his word is true. As long as you stay with the cavalry from Westfall, you will be left alone. If you're caught doing anything suspicious, I won't hesitate to kill you myself, drow."

Lazheros looked at the swordsman, "Careful now, Captain Irzen. Careful."

Captain Irzen looked Prince Ash dead in his eyes and responded evenly, "Usstan kampi'un, eldalie qu'ess."

Translation: "I understand, Elven Prince."

"Is there some reason why you're speaking instead of the human counter-part, Captain Irzen?" Lazheros inquired while he stood next to the swordsman.

"Usstan orn bihurr ol ulu dos gajak, naut nin, wun alust d'l'qu'ess," The Swordsman replied tersely to Lazheros query without taking his eyes off of Prince Ash.

Translation: I will explain it to you later, not now, in front of the prince."

"Winter Marsh is untouched for now." Prince Ash noted to Captain Andaerean, "This is only part of the army, the rest remained behind in case the messenger's urgent warning was false."

One of his generals came forward, "Excellency, our scouts report that the main force of the horde is headed straight for Arbor Haven, some ten thousand strong. The Southern Valley is nearly over run by the enemy now, orders my lord prince?"

"My orders still stand from before. The reserves will rendezvous with us in two days at the northern gate of capital's wall. Now we march for Arbor Haven with haste and the Huorns will be of great help with our combined forces." Prince Ash commanded his generals to spread the word to march to Arbor Haven.

Captain Andaerean reined his horse around, "Captain Irzen, will you ride with my company and see this to the end?"

"The wounded have been tended to, Captain Andaerean as best as I could on short notice but they are travel worthy still," Lazheros said confidently and whistled for his steed.

*******

"Our people are well enough to travel, Prince Willow," The elven man in noble merchants clothes said approaching the ranger, "Either way is acceptable in these dark times and we are grateful for your assistance. I am Galifax, a merchant from Safe Habor, my caravan was attacked upon nearing the capital. We had heard the royal decree from the king and came as quickly as we could."

"Safe Harbor you say?" Prince Willow asked with increased interest, "What news do you have of my brother, Prince Birch? Is he well? Has he been attacked yet? How does he fair these days?"

Galifax scratched his head, "He's ah...umm...doing well, Prince Willow. Spends more time out to sea than his duty to governing the city. As far as the city goes, everyone there have been alerted to the Horde's invasion and preparations have been put in place."

"My brother spending more time at sea than on land is no surprise, Galifax," The Prince reassured the Merchant, "He has long favored the water over the land. But as long as Safe Harbor stands on alert, we have a stronghold from which we can attack and a safehold to which we can retreat if necessary."

A howl rose up in the distance beyond everyone's sight and the elementalist suddenly got down from her horse, "Take my horse, Master Galifax. For your wounded, I have other ways of traveling."

"Why thank you, my lady," Galifax gave her a courtly bow and motioned to the few who had been injured enough for them to ride.

"And mine too!" The Prince dismounted and offered his steed as well, "Your welfare and the welfare of our wounded comes first."

She rubbed the gauntlets again, "Captain Mandur, do you have any wagons to spare? It doesn't look they have much to carry."

The hill dwarf captain nodded, "Aye, my lady. I have one wagon available to help the prince's kin and we're almost to the city. Make haste, lads!"

The wagon came up with two wargoats pulling it, the rest of the caravan climbed aboard with the supplies from the wrecked wagon with a smile, "Those damnable orcs will pay for raiding the lands of Sunrider and his kin. We've left them a little surprise to show our gratitude!"

"Captain Mandur, I'm looking forward to seeing your 'gratitude' in action." The Prince responded with a slight smile.

"Willow, time to go," The elementalist told him as her form began to shimmer and change once more into the gold dragon.

"Go where?" The Prince gave the Elementalist a quizzical look.

"To the capital, my prince," Said Galifax who was now even more confused by the ranger's response.

Captain Mandur shrugged, "Aye, he seems to be under a lot of stress of late."

"What?" The Prince turned to both Galifax and Captain Mandur.

*******

The elementalist now as the dragon peered down at him and growled, "Hmm, perhaps you and I need to have a chat elsewhere, Prince Willow!"

Suddenly both the gold dragon and the ranger vanished from view of everyone. They reappeared some time in the future where Gruumasht and his horde had laid waste to his homeland. The heads of elves raised on pikes displaying those who chose not to obey. Those who chose death over slavery, and the royal family forcibly sent into exile or worse as described in hellish detail by the Drow Swordsman. Nothing of Willow's homeland looked or was the same as this possible future was presented to him in detail.

"This is WHAT WILL happen if the Horde succeeds," The dragon deadpanned, "So, whatever is bothering you right now, its time to come clean because if you don't this will all be on your head, Prince Willow. This FATE is guaranteed to become yours should you fail."

"I need not see this, Perthenexio!" The Prince turned towards the gold dragon, "Lord Irzen's description of what the Horde would do to my homeland was clear and terrible enough. What disturbs me is the answer to a riddle that eludes me: Why you are here? What are you after? I know Alyson is here to aid me and my people. But why are YOU here? You and Lazheros have been whispering about red dragons and gauntlets and magic for quite some time. Out with it then, come clean and tell me, what are you after in the lands of my fathers?"

The gold dragon snorted, "You already know the answer to your question, high elf. For a more DIRECT answer is that all the pieces of the armor are connected. To create a living weapon against ancient foe, three Gold and three Red dragons came to an agreement that neither side could dispatch on their own, so they set aside their grudges and beliefs for a greater cause. A cause to survive. A cause for all Dragon kind to remain and grow as they choose. The Red dragon that you saw earlier beyond the southern walls of Westfall is another piece of the armor the Elementalist seeks, a circlet of Intellect. When attuned properly by completing a trial set before the elementalist, is the helm of the Red Dragon. Unfortunately, the circlet was gifted to your betrothed, Eilionwy by someone unknown. Even if she did attune to it, the Red dragon's influence may or may not increased her need for power. The down side is that she must willingly relinquish it to the elementalist."

"And you would seek out Eilionwy now?! During the middle of a war for the very survival of my people?!" The Prince protested, "Your timing leaves much to be desired, Perthenexio."

"I won't have to. She will seek me out, rather the red dragon will but will you have the courage to confront her, high elf?" The gold dragon asked him.

"I have the courage to return to my homeland during a time of war. I have the courage to risk my life for my people to keep them safe," The Prince replied, "So yes, I have the courage to confront my betrothed when that time comes."

"Very well, high elf," Perthonexio flexed his wings and they returned once more with the hill dwarves and the elven merchants from Safe Habor.

Galifax nearly fell off of the horse the elementalist gave him before she turned into a gold dragon, "WHOA! WHOA! OH, you've returned! Gracious me!"

"Make haste!" The gold dragon said, "The horde is gaining ground and we must reach the capital before we are over run!"

*******

"Yes, thank you, Serna. That will help me out greatly," Liliandra took the scroll from her and opened it. The scroll detailed the symbolic meaning of each of the wards beneath Arbor Haven. "Well, two out of three, now we need to find the Tome of the Ancient Wards. Gideon?"

The Ent stepped out between the book shelves, "Yesss?"

"Where would I find the Tome of the Ancient Wards?" The princess asked him.

He pondered and muttered to himself as he scanned the books at his level. Spotting one tome, he grabbed it handing it down to her, "Is this the one you're looking for my lady?"

Lily scanned it over and shook her head, "Sorry. It is not, Gideon."

"Hmmm?" The Ent turned slightly to see a familiar gnome in red robes with gold trim sitting upon his shoulder, "Great Dungeon Master!"

"Greetings, Shield Maiden. To find the Tome you seek, you must be a Charmed one indeed." Dungeon Master smiled warmly to everyone.

"Dungeon Master!" Serna exclaimed in wild eyed disbelief, "It's been ages since we last saw you! Where have you been? Boy, do we need your help! What do you mean one must be Charmed to find the Tome of the Ancient Wards?"

"Charms are heard, seen, or perhaps right in front of you, Shield Maiden. Charms are expressions or words, or something else." Dungeon Master nodded again.

Serna thought about Dungeon Master's words for a long minute.

Caliaphy flew up to the old one and giggled, "Gosh! You really are an Old One aren't you?"

"Ah, a kurori away from Asylum. You are a long way from home but remember who you truly are in the light of the fading moon." He told Caliaphy with a smirk.

"Huh? Serna, does he always talk like this?" The kurori wrinkled her nose suddenly.

The Shield Maiden emerged from her thoughts, "Yes, he does, Caliaphy. Dungeon Master is not only a master of dungeons but also a master of riddles." Serna began to look at the charm bracelet she received from the Elder in Asylum, "But I think I might have this riddle figured out. I know how this charm bracelet works but how can it help us now? Dungeon Master, am I on the right track?"

When the shield maiden and the kurori looked back up, Dungeon Master was gone. Gideon blinked a couple of times and finally shrugged.

"Where'd he go?!" Caliaphy gasped fluttering around frantically in a vain attempt to locate the gnome.

"Wherever he wants to go," Serna replied simply, "He tends to disappear like that. I guess its his way. Anyhow, I think I know what he is talking about."

The Shield Maiden held up her wrist for all to see, "This is a charm bracelet given to me back in Asylum by a Fairy Elder. I think this has something to do with Dungeon Master's riddle. But I don't know exactly how this charm bracelet would fit in. Any ideas?

Caliaphy thought about it for a moment as she flew back down to the shield maiden, "Do you remember what the Elder said about the charm bracelet, Serna?"