Suddenly the sound of clapping echoed from the balcony where Tarendil's estranged brother stood there. "The gall of drow making their presence here, even moreso with the platinum knight who ruined my plans many years ago. Did anyone tell you, human, that you're a royal pain?!"

"Zarathan!" Tarendil rose up from her chain, hands on daggers.

"You never learn do you!" Zesstra drew her sword and took up a defensive position between Tarendil and her psycho brother.

"The throne was always mine! I was first born and you dear sister, are left overs." The prince sneered bringing up both hands, "Time for all of you to depart! GOOD BYE!"

Alyson went to counterspell and was countered herself before vanishing with Lazheros.

**BLINK!**

Madeous stood up reaching back for his weapon only to have the floor disappear beneath him to the open sky below.

**SHHOOOSHH!!***

Tarendil and Zesstra were blocked by a wall of force, while the swordsman also vanished.

"A wall of force, huh?" Zesstra studied it before she turned to her mate, "Be careful, Tarendil, I sense your brother is near."

"Mother puss bucket!" Were the only words Irzen got out before he disappeared!

"Drop this wall and face us, you coward!" Zesstra openly challenged Zarathan. "You're no match for the both of us!"

Zarathan waved off the paladin, "Pff! You are a means to an end, drowling. Your goddess has no power here and you should be more aware of your surroundings but alas your intelligence is lacking."

******

The platinum knight's free fall was accelerating very quickly until the claws of a immortal oriental dragon caught him. Master Shinrin opened a portal, "Go to your kin, dragon warrior and face your greatest enemy once again. The swordsman and the others await you."

As the four of them including the swordsman reappeared at the top of plateau over looking a massive stone fortress, they could see a vast legion of orcs and lizardmen at its base. Adjacent to the massive fortress was a tower held aloft by raw primordial magic as it hovered over a pit that seemed endless. The winds around it kept the legions of the Force of Evil on the ground.

Madeous staggered a bit to get his bearing's just before he landed not far from the elementalist and company.

Lazheros turned to see him, "This was unexpected."

"Ya, think." Alyson quipped non-chalantly and spied the strange floating tower, "I feel drawn there."

"Welcome to the party, Madeous!" Irzen quipped, "I see you got your invitation and I hoped you enjoyed the ride. Now, let's see if we can raise a little hell while we are here."

The Swordsman grinned viciously as he drew his sword and turned his attention to the Dark Lord's army, "Master Card, I'm bored. The friendly natives will entertain me!"

The elementalist seemed to be focused on the floating tower and it did a good job of keeping her attention. The Platinum Knight and The Bronze Man took notice not of the tower but what was flying out of the massive fortress. A swarm of flyers most likely on patrol. Hooded figures with staves riding naked bird like creatures.

"We're not alone. Ready yourselves for unwanted attention." Lazheros pulled out his mace and shield.

Madeous grumbled as his attire shimmered to reveal his full plate radiant armor for the swordsman. Wielding his great vorporal sword again, "We are in the heart of Venger's territory and I haven't forgotten this place. After you, Irzen."

"Not bad, Madeous, not bad!" Irzen made note of the Platinum Knight's armor before he turned his attention to their would-be attackers, "Only a dozen of them? I'm insulted! The Dark Lord must be hard up for help these days."

The winged riders on their naked bird like mounts raised their staves and pointed. All six unloaded bolts of gray magical energy.

Alyson countered with her own magic and blasted one right off of its flying mount. That one vanished with a screech and a sudden stop. The mount however, continued its own attack until the bronze man followed through with a guiding bolt breaking the wing. The creature squawked in vain and hit the cliff side with a sickening crunch.

Madeous waited until three of them came at him simultaneously and in one great cleave cut them in twain. That left the remaining two on the swordsman.

The two remaining riders separated and came in on a pincer maneuver still firing off their staves as their mounts claws opened to grab.

Irzen grinned from ear to ear when they made their pincer move before he whipped off his travelling cloak in a flourish and tossed it in the air towards the rider and his mount that were coming at his back.

"Ole!" The Swordsman cried out before he charged at the one heading towards him, leaped into the air and sliced through the underbelly of the mount before landing on his feet striking the classic Voltron pose.

Alyson raised an eye brow, "Show off."

Madeous nodded with approval, "We should keep moving. These winged patrols can be easily be dealt with but the entire hoard down there is not."

Lazheros had walked ahead to find a narrow trail that wound down and around, "Here. This path should take us where we need to go."