"Good to have you back, Alyson," The Swordsman looked over his shoulder at the passageway they had just came, "Uh, can anybody close that?"

"Lady Alyson, it is good to see you are well. How fare things in East Port?" Prince Birch asked the Elementalist.

"Ah, about that," Alyson shook her head, "Between the sage, Sudestren, and Grand Cleric, Sylvus, who almost aged Lazheros into the beyond had not Dungeon Master showed up. I'd say things are better, I think."

"Sage Sudestren and Grand Cleric Sylvus BOTH paid us a social call? And at this hour?!" Prince Birch shook his head in disbelief, "Did they not know that we had a vampire scourge in East Port?"

"Sudestren didn't believe us, so I teleported down at the cavern entrance where a massive boulder was supposed to block the hole. It was off to one side, smashed to pieces. Lazheros asked to speak to the grand cleric here, and Sylvus freaked out, doubting why we were here, and spouting racism. When things got to be too much, that's when Dungeon Master appeared. As for the vampire threat, those two were avoided entirely by the undead."

"WHAT?!" Prince Birch roared as he stormed past them, through the rift, and towards Grand Cleric of East Port, "Sylvus, are you mad?! What goes on here? Insulting MY guests! Ignoring the vampire threat! Explain yourself!"

"A thousand pardons, my liege!" Sylvus bowed before the prince, "I did not know that they were allies of Dungeonmaster--"

"--But you did know that they were allies of the Crown!" Birch corrected him, "I have no doubt that my wife said to you that this was so."

Princess Cauladra and Sylvus nodded in agreement silently.

"Then begone from my sight, Grand Cleric," Birch dismissed him, "I have no kind words for you this eventide. Mayhaps by morningtide my ire will cool and I will accept you once again into my court. Until then, begone!"

Sylvus cast his gaze downward and replied quietly, "Yes, my liege." Before he departed the room, the Grand Cleric of Labelas Enoreth cast a nasty glance at the Grand Cleric of Bahamut and silently cursed his name.

Prince Birch ran over to Princess Cauladra and embraced his wife, "Are you alright, my love?"

Princess Cauladra enjoyed the embrace and looked into her husband's eyes, "I am, now that you have returned. Were it not for Grand Cleric Lazheros and Lady Alyson I would not have fared so well. Thank the gods that they were here."

"Yes! A heartfelt thanks to them indeed!" Prince Birch sighed in relief.

******

"You can take a nap if you want, Serna. I will keep watch." Spencer got up, grabbed a book and sat back down, "Besides, you look like you need to sleep."

"That's not a bad idea, Spencer," Serna yawned, "And it has been a long day. I think I will." It did not take long for the Shield Maiden to fall asleep with the Kurori still in her lap.

Serna began to snore peacefully.

******

***RRRAAAAAUUGGGGHHH!!!***

The pride demon roared, charging straight for the princess when Lazheros instinctively raised his shield and held the creature at bay.

Princess Cauladra quickly drew forth her sword, assumed a battle crouch and waited for the creature to try and strike her.

The elementalist invoked both pieces of the crimson dragon armor and unleashed a barrage of fire bolts into the backside of the demon. Then followed up with razor sharp dragon slashes dropping it one knee.

By this time, the royal guards entered and engaged the demon. Their long spears piercing the tough hide of it and then unleashed a barrage of arrows.

Sylvus aimed his quarterstaff at the pride demon and cut loose with another energy blast that slammed into the creature regressing it in age by a thousand years thus making it not only younger but also weaker.

With a bellowing shriek the pride demon fell under the combined strikes of magic and metal and was no more. Its body withered and turned into a pool of blood that seeped back through the rift that Alyson and Lazheros created. Now everyone including Sylvus could see the remains of the massive boulder off to one side of the cavern entrance.

"I'm going back through. There's still more vampires down there. No blood mages or demons just lots of undead to burn." The elementalist turned towards the rift and stepped through.

"Your Grace, please forgive me for my earlier hubris!" Sylvus turned towards Princess Cauladra, "I did not know these interlopers--I mean outsiders--were your allies and I acted in rash haste and poor judgement."

"All is forgiven, Grand Cleric," The princess lowered her guard, "However, I am not the only one from who you should seek forgiveness." She pointed to Lazheros.

Sylvus Kiltani cleared his throat before he spoke, "Grand Cleric of Asylum, please forgive me for my earlier zealotry! I thought you to be more foe than friend and I found your presence here to be a threat to the rule of my god. I was wrong! You are clearly a friend of the Crown and you and your allies are most welcome in East Port!"

Lazheros holstered his war hammer but kept his shield out in full view of Sylvus. His stern expression clearly indicated his own contempt towards him. "Even I know enough not to attract the attention of Dungeon Master as you have, Grand Cleric Sylvus. You should count yourself fortunate that he was in a forgiving mood, for I have seen him when he is not. Your actions were callous instead of being one of counsel. I clearly stated as to why I was here, nor was I going about imposing my beliefs on anyone. That is your failing, however, I will forgive you this time."

"Thank you, Grand Cleric Lazheros," The High Elf replied with a firm nod, "Your forgiveness is appreciated."

The Bronze Man turned towards the main entrance of the throne to see a very wary and out of breath sage, "Sudestren?"

"Demons! Dragons! And dastardly deeds are afoot!" The haggard Sudestren cried out before he passed out in front of everyone and collapsed to the floor in a heap.

"My goodness! The poor man has fainted!" The princess sheathed her sword and ran to the sage's side to aid him, "He is exhausted! Can either of you aid him?" The Princess turned to both The Grand Clerics.

Lazheros turned to Sylvus, "He is of your kin, I will let you revive him."

"Nay!" Sylvus retreated from the room, "Please show my lieges the wondrous power of The Lord of The North Wind. I shall tarry here no longer."

Alyson, Quake, Madeous, and the rest of the party quickly followed Birch through the rift back into the throne room.

The Bronze Man sighed heavily and went over to help the sage back to his feet, "Drink this, Sudestren, to recover your strength."

The Sage eagerly lapped up the liquid that was provided to him and felt invigorated enough to stand on his own feet, "Thank you, Grand Cleric Lazheros, you are most kind."

Captain Lion stepped through taking note of the irate elven cleric before he left. "It seems things have changed since we last were here."

"How so?" Irzen asked Captain Lion as he too took notice of the departing Grand Cleric.

Alyson walked over to the rulers of East Port, "It really bothers me that he didn't send runners or messengers regarding the vampire threat. Like he didn't want to admit that there were outsiders here helping out."

"The Grand Cleric is a proud defender of his faith, Lady Alyson," Princess Cauladra responded, "He has long believed that any servant of Labelas Enoreth can solve any problem put before him."

"He ill favors outsiders," Prince Birch added, "And to be honest I do believe he has never really traveled to any other lands outside of East Port. His view on non-Elves and non-adherents to his faith is a dim one."

Madeous came over, "We still have to shut the Black Gate down below. It still remains open and to honest, I'd rather the keys to that forbidden place be held by true guardians of East Port. You two, or someone of whom you'd trust your very lives with."

"We will do it!" Prince Birch volunteered both himself and Princess Cauladra, "You can entrust those keys to our care. And we will hand them down to our children and their children and their children's children from now until the ending of The Realm!"

The elementalist stepped backwards from the rulers of East Port and spoke ancient draconic. In full view of everyone, the remaining pieces of the Crimson Dragon armor materialized merging with the rest. In a multitude of voices spoken as one, "Very well. One key shall be of the magic held by the elves of East Port in the care of Princess Cauladra. The other key shall be of the arms, held by Prince Birch of East Port."

Both the Elven prince and princess received their charges in kind.

"And with the keys of The Black Gate shall be handed down the story of bravery, sacrifice and gallantry that each and every one of you showed this night to ensure that the recent horror visited upon us shall visit us no more," Princess Cauladra added, "This shall be our sacred charge now and forever more!"

Madeous stood in awe of the Crimson dragon as well as Lazheros who'd only seen pictures and tapestries in old books. Quake seemed unfazed.

"Well, you don't see that everyday!" Irzen quipped as he took note of the crimson dragon.

While Captain Lion paused long enough to make note of Alyson's transformation, "I shall take my leave your highness. I must see to my crew and see how the shield maiden has been fairing."

"Of course, Captain Lion," Prince Birch nodded, "And if the Shield Maiden has fared well, please have her escorted back to the palace. Though I am sure she enjoyed the company of your men, I am sure that she will be more than eager to return to the side of her friends."