"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?"

"Usstan orn," The Swordsman nodded in agreement before he motioned for Billy to join him, "Usstan orn kyorl nindol thalack ulu l'xuz hwuen ussta vaen ssuu'hha!"

Translation, "I will," The Swordsmand nodded in agreement before he motioned for Billy to join him, "I will see this war to the end until my last breath!"

"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.

The crown prince rode at the head of the column, the half of his army of three thousand, comprised of arcane archers, battle and weapon masters of the sword, spear, and shield. Then there was Captain Anaerean's cavalry from Westfall and the heavy horses from Dinnedar for a total of two thousand light horses and five hundred heavy horses. A forest of ancient Huorns, a drow swordsman on a wargoat, and a bronze dragon in disguise.

Irzen drew his wargoat close to Lazheros' steed as they rode, "Nindol zhah thalack,
kl'ast. Wun thalack Usstan telanth lu'Usstan nau'thal rena ussta rivvil kitrye trianke rath lu'ori'gato's uns'aa xund. Yol dos nin kampi'un ussta ooble', orn'la dos tlu yor'in ulu transilit vel'bol Usstan telanth?"

Translation: "This is war, cleric. In war I speak and I lead while my human half hangs back and let's me work. Since now you understand my tongue would you be willing to translate what I say?"

*******

"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!"

"Good, gentlesirs!" Prince Willow walked up to both Captain Mandur and Galifax placing a comforting hand upon their shoulders, "Please forgive me for my distractions. I have had much to deal with as of late. However, I now feel more like old myself. And I now stand ready to save our people."

The Prince whistled for his horse to join him and quickly mounted his steed when it did, "So come let us ride hard to the capital. We have a kingdom to save and a standard to uphold!"

And so they did make their way to the outer gates of Arbor Haven, the capital of North Haven, and home of the royal family. The city was a mix of the natural landscape similar to Westfall and the hills of the southern valley rising up on a single massive plateau surrounded by a series of circular rivers and forest carefully cultivated over the centuries. The outer most ring was the city itself, where the common folk and merchants traded their goods on a daily basis. As the company rode through, the elder earth elemental stopped, "I SHALL REMAIN HERE, MY LADY AND PROTECT THESE FINE PEOPLE."

The gold dragon reverted to the original form of the elementalist now in plain view of the all the elves. She was used to the change now and paid them no mind but noticed they were surprised to see the youngest member of the royal family return.

Upon reaching the gates, Prince Willow stopped his horse, dismounted and led his steed through the city as he walked amongst his people to the palace. Occassionally he would stop and give a word or two of calm and reassurance to his kin. But still he pressed on towards his goal and his inevitable confrontation with his father, the king.

*******

"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?"

"Yes!" Serna replied honestly, "He said that it would record all of my deeds and that each of the colors would highlight both a good and bad deed that I did. At least, I think that is what he said."

"Yup! So, what else are charms for anyway, Serna?" The kurori asked her.

"They show the mood of the bearer," Serna replied immediately as she continued to display her charm bracelet for all to see.