The battle with the blue dragon and Venger continued to clash in the canyon. Yes, the Force of Evil was gaining ground but the dragon had been able to counterspell some of the magical attacks. Not something Venger expected. A deal was a deal. The blue dragon had a long time grudge against Venger and a certain dwarf had given the dragon an edge in the form of a small fortune of gold and a certain magic ring. In exchange, free passage through its territory.

Archer lead the elementalist and the swordsman through a narrow maze with the ravine to rejoin the others.

Venger fired a higher level version of the spell Magic Missile which slamnmed into the blue dragon causing the creature to once again roar in pain, "Is that the best you can do, dragon?! Because if it is your defeat will be swift and easy!"

The blue dragon continued its assault on Venger. Magical attacks did little to no damage to him but the dragon decided on a full frontal body slam worked quite well as its claws sunk into the nightmare. Lightning crackled from its jaw with a powerful electric jolt.

The Nightmare cried out in agony as the blue dragon sank its claws into its flesh. As lightning cascaded through the Dark Lord and his steed, Venger snarled in anger, "NOOOOOO!!!!" Before he clapped his hands together producing a sharp blast of gale force winds that forced the blue dragon to not only release the Night Mare but also sent it flying backward.

For its part, the Nightmare found this moment to be the perfect opportunity to retreat and did so much to the chagrin of its master who wanted to stay and fight.

"I am not finished with you yet, dragon!" The Dark Lord snarled as the Nightmare carried him into the clouds.

********

Madeous's sword glowed with the presence of the blue dragon nearby and immediately took a defensive stance while guarding Lazheros.

The bronze man forced himself not to engage against his hated foe. Willpower was his strong suit except in the presence of a blue dragon. The ancient rivalry between bronze and blue dragons could be traced all the way back to their origins.

One of the dwarves muttered, "That didn't take long. Hopefully, Stanis made it back."

The monster slayer appeared with Alyson and Irzen. "We need to keep moving. Where's Stanis?"

An older dwarf in battle hardened armor grumbled, "He's waiting for us back at the fort."

Madeous was glad to see Alyson, "You made it. Good. Lead on, Archer. Irzen, I know you have a grudge as much as I do against Venger, save it for another time."

"Works for me." Irzen quipped, "As the old saying goes, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day."

Lazheros cast Silence on the group to make their travel go unnoticed.

The party traveled through a series of winding passage ways and down into a hidden underground fort. Beaten down from time and age, it still stood as any dwarven structure did. The sound of hammers on metal, and picks breaking rocks could be heard from the deeper part of the cavern. Voice picked up and went quiet with the approach of them. A hidden gated door opened as Archer stepped through motioning them to follow.

"This isn't quite home. Well home is any where the earth and its riches can provide even if its right in Venger's backyard." Archer grinned.

Madeous glanced about noting the defenses and guard patrols, "Are you aware that it wouldn't take Venger long to find this place?"

"I agree with Madeous," Irzen added, "You're either pretty bold or very desperate to be mining for minerals under Venger's very nose. What is so valuable here that you would risk so much to acquire it?"

"Oh, he knows of it, aye. He believed it to be dried up after he forcefully worked my kin to death. All perished save for myself. I played dead and fell into the mine. Years back, I heard a beautiful voice and along came Archer. She nursed me back to health as best she could and helped my kin and I return the bloody favor to horn head." Came a gruff reply from behind them. A harden survivor, Stanis Stonebeard, his gray skin barely shown through the dim light of the fort. His armor worn and battered. An wicked axe strapped to his back. His dwarven lineage was mountain and duergar.

"I have heard tales of dwarves mixing with each other, battlerager. I see the stories are true." Lazheros replied.

"Yeah well, we Elves do it all the time." Irzen shrugged, "No biggie! So, Stanis Stonebeard, are you one of Maurin Graybeard's people?"

Stanis grunted, "No. Maurin Graybeard's clan isn't even in this part of the Realm, swordsman. Why in the hells would you assume that I would be related to him?"

"I did not assume you were related to him," The Swordsman corrected Stanis, "I merely asked if you were one of his people. A simple 'yes' or 'no' would have been sufficient."

Alyson stretched a little, "Uh, yeah. Stanis has a point. Besides, Trokar Whitebeard and his kin lie in the Shimmerhorn mountains between Stormhaven and Deeping Dale. Maybe we should take a trip into the Underdark at some point because you seem to be a little homesick."

"You wouldn't last a day in the Underdark, Alyson," The Swordsman cautioned her, "You're too noisy and attract far too much attention to yourself."

Archer chimed in, "I heard about what happened at Stormhaven. That city seems to be a hot spot or it was the last time I heard."

"Stormhaven can be a hotspot," Irzen added, "But did you know that Alyson was once the Lady Mayor of Stormhaven?"