The Swordsman looked away towards the floating islands.

"Each to their own I suppose." The platinum knight replied.

"Thank you for understanding, Madeous." The Swordsman replied flatly.

The elementalist suddenly turned towards the main part of the ship and descended the stairs. She yelled back, "Uh, Quake isn't feeling good. I'll up in a bit."

"She'll be fine once she feels the earth beneath her feet," Irzen shrugged, "No problem!"

Madeous glanced over at the shield maiden and the kurori and then to the bronze man, "How in the realm did she ever bring to life Quake, I wonder?"

"With her natural affinity to the elements, Madeous. Her true belief in magic and her love for her creations. They have helped Irzen and company prior to coming to Asylum." Lazheros stated.

Above the party, the scout blew a whistle, "Land ho! Islands in the sky and we are not alone. Looks like sky riders on eagles. Some I've never seen before!"

"Sky riders on eagles?" The Swordsman scanned the horizon, "Captain Lion, I recommend you raise a flag of truce or welcome at this time. That's more than a simple welcome party heading our way and it would be a good thing to let them know that our intentions are not hostile."

From the bridge, the captain pulled a cord and signaled to the crew to be on standby as the airship slowed down in its approach to the landing area. Normally the ship would dock and be tied off by the mooring ropes, instead two pairs of landing gear descended like metal legs as they touched down.

On the opposite end of the floating island, a red haired she elf in royal attire was flanked by a wizard and two avariel guards. The rest circled about on their eagle mounts and landed adjacent to the party. Weapons at the ready.

And by the red haired she elf's side and holding her hand was a Drowling donned in the robes of a noble woman with her stark-white hair in a pony-tail as her golden eyes scanned the visitors curiously.

"Who are you and how did you find our sanctuary in the clouds?" Stated the red hair elven women.

Lazheros descended first with Madeous behind him, "So this is the legendary place of the avariel? How are you, Tarendil?"

Upon seeing the bronze man, the red head bowed in kind, "Oh. It is you, guardian. I didn't realize you were among mixed company."

"Yes, my journey has continued once again in fine company ever thwarting the forces of Venger." Lazheros replied.

"Since you are friend and not foes," The Drowling smiled at everyone, "Elistraee's blessings be upon you all. I am Zesstra Telenna of Quarvad'non, Paladin of Elistraee, and who are you?"

"Hi!" Serna departed the ship and waved, "I'm Serna the Shield Maiden."

There were plenty of gasps when the platinum knight stopped next to the bronze man. Many of the sky elves were not present when the Torque attacked Asylum decades earlier but here of the tales of victory.

"King Madeous!" The wizard exclaimed and bowed, "It has been awhile since our aid helped Asylum."

"It has indeed. Now I travel with my niece and her friends to continue to oppose Venger and his allies." Madeous paused for a moment and turned back to the airship to see Quake diving over the railing of the airship.

"LAND! LAND! UP HERE! OH THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!" The elemental was lathering herself in the dirt as if she was bathing.

Alyson, Serna and Caliaphy burst out laughing.

Captain Lion stayed behind on the airship until negotiations completed.

"Get a hold of yourself Quake!" Irzen departed the ship, "You're embarrassing us. Act like you've seen land before, okay?"

The elemental promptly stood up and polymorphed to her original dragon form being on land again. "Hmmph! I am not embarrassing the lady or the others, why should you have a problem with it."

"I stand corrected," Irzen replied, "You're not embarrassing anyone, you're entertaining everyone! And guess what we're not laughing at you, we're laughing with you! Yeah, that's it! That's the ticket!"

"Lord Irzen?" Zesstra turned towards the Swordsman.

"Do I know you?" Irzen gave the Paladin a curious glance.

"Mayhaps not, Lord Irzen, but I know you." Zesstra replied, "We met in passing some years ago when I was dwelling in Naermon Nithren working as one of the City Guard. Forgive me for having you at a disadvantage, my lord, but you and your exploits are well known throughout the Underdark--Mercenary Captain, Arms Dealer and Dragon Slayer--to name a few."

"I see," Irzen replied cautiously, "You're a long way from the Underdark."

"The same could be said for you, my lord, the same could be said for you." Zesstra replied evenly.

Tarendil raised an eye brow, "This is him, Zesstra? He seems to be a long way from the Underdark just as you are."

"It is!" Zesstra confirmed, "This is Lord Dy'var Irzen of House Slyvar. He is a Mercenary Captain, an Arms Merchant and a Slayer of Purple Dragons. And while he is just as far from the Underdark as I am, at the very least, I know why I am here." The Paladin gave the Elf Queen a comforting squeeze of her hand.

Madeous and Lazheros made a mental note of the vast difference in personality between the swordsman and the paladin.

Zesstra turned towards the others, "Still, it is a pleasure and an honor to meet you all. For if you travel with the Platinum Knight then you must be good company indeed. Welcome to the Land of The Avariel!"

Tarendil stepped forward and gestured, "Come. We do not get many guests here save for Zesstra currently and I long to hear of what else has been going in the realm. Perhaps stories from the other side of the Fire Sea. On a side note, my exiled brother has some how returned. Which is suspicious."

Madeous replied, "Wasn't he banished for trying to usurp the throne? I could of sworn I've seen him in Venger's territory at some time."

"A would-be usurper who might have paid a visit to Venger?" Irzen raised his eyebrow, "He sounds like bad news to me."

"If he's allied with the Dark Lord," Serna added, "Then he's as bad as they come."

"Still these are matters which we can discuss in a more relaxed setting," Zesstra encouraged them, "Come and find rest and comfort here. For while I have regaled my love with my travels in The Underdark, I am sure you can regale her as well with your travels on The Surface World."

********

Zarathrin watched through the Orb of Seeing from his chambers. The platinum knight was a problem. He had nearly crossed paths with the legendary knight in his dealings with Venger. The others weren't the issue save for the young sorcerer which Venger mentioned off and on. She had potential.