"I stand corrected!" Irzen held up his hands, "I forgot that you are a Draconic Elemental who possesses a more refined taste than your average creation of Alyson. And its good to know that you are going to be with us for a time. It's nice to have someone to talk to that actually gets me."

A deep growling emanated from the black, "You like to ASSUME a lot. I think the scared little human man in there needs a hobby. Maybe you should venture back down into the Underdark, or better yet, go harass Venger some more. I'm sure Dungeon Master would agree with me."

"I do have a hobby, Dragolem," Irzen sneered back with a vicious grin, "My hobby is being a friend to the friendless--that's why I hang out with you so much! You don't have a friend in the Realm--except me!"

"Indeed, harbinger of Tiamat." Came a reply of the gnome himself sliding down a gnarled limb of an oak nearby. "A time when to return home, or stop Venger from learning the truth of the elementalist's heritage."

"Dungeon Master!" Irzen turned towards the Gnome, "You come when you're not asked and heed us not when we call you. What do you want of us this time, O Wayfarer of The Realm?"

"I am where I need to be at any given time, swordsman. Heed my advice and choose which path I set before you but know this, Venger will learn eventually by default if you choose the latter." Dungeon Master's expression was very clear.

"Fine!" Irzen replied honestly, "Then I choose the former. Where can I go to find the nearest portal back to Earth? You said I had to return home but you never mentioned to which home I had to return."!

Dragolem's jaw opened in surprise.

Dungeon Master raised an eye brow, "You wish to return to your home world, Swordsman? Then know this while you two cannot be separated, the human half will dominate your appearance. The nearest portal to your world is on the Island of Mists but beware there is more than one portal to your world and time is not what it seems. The island you seek lies between East Port and Port Thelmys where the suns meet the surface of the water."

Irzen pointed at both Dungeon Master and Dragolem and laughed, "HAH! MADE YOU LOOK! You two should see the looks of shock on your faces. Priceless!"

*wux re vin tzarreth* Dragolem muttered in draconic.

Translation:: (You're an ass!)

"Yes!" Irzen grinned from ear to ear, "Yes, I am!"

Dungeon Master gave the dark elemental a very disapproving look, "There's no cause for bad language."

"Shame on you, Dragolem! Shame on you!" Irzen wagged a finger of shame at the Draconic Elemental, "Bad Elemental!"

The Swordsman shook his head, "No thank you, DM, I don't want to return to Earth. Personally, I would rather face down old Horn Head than do that! So what do we need to do and where do we need to go to prevent Venger from learning of Alyson's TRUE heritage?"

"Your victory over the enemies here did not go unnoticed, Swordsman. There are some here who find your presence a travesty in the city despite the talisman of free passage given to you by King Sunrider. While this is a sea port and trade city, most of the younger races stay near the docks to avoid such confrontations. For the Force of Evil has a spy here within the city. An envoy claiming to be someone they are not. Find this spy and gain the favor a legendary king."

"We already have the favor of a legendary king," Irzen replied honestly, "King Sunrider X holds all of us in high regard for helping him to save Northaven AND for returning Prince Willow to his side. Or is there another legendary king you have in mind?"

"King Sunrider is a legendary king to his own people, Swordsman. The one I speak of," Dungeon Master watched him closely, "has traveled the Realm extensively and has had more encounters with Venger than even you in your long life time."

"Really?! Color me intrigued!" Irzen replied with a raised eyebrow, "Of whom do you speak, Dungeon Master? Who is this king whose renown is even greater than that of Sunrider, Elven King."

"That Swordsman is something you must discover on your own." The gnome jumped down from the rock he was standing on only to vanish in the shadow of the tree.

"Why am I not surprised?" Irzen laughed as he looked around, "And as always he's gone again."

Dragolem let out a throaty chuckle, "Looks like its Spy season. Best head back to let the others know, eh?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right!" The Swordsman began to walk back to the palace, "It is time the others got their latest marching orders from good old DM."

"I'll be out here cleaning up the leftovers. I will leave you to waking up and informing them what Dungeon Master said." With that the black draconian faded back into the shadows of the forest.

"Fair enough!" Irzen waved over his shoulder, "Good hunting!" The Swordsman began his walk back to the palace to inform his friends about Dungeon Master's latest visit.

*********

Quake walked through the hallways of the palace with Mermidon next to her twirling a leather rope that was attached to her belt.

"You don't change, much sister." Mermidon noted as they walked.

"Nope. I'm me," She nudged him, "and you're, you."

Looking down the long corridor, the platinum draconian spotted the swordsman, "Hmm. Looks he coming this way and from the stench, he's been talking with Dragolem."