"Hm, weird" Berry thought as the unseen Toan ran off. "Maybe he's not hungry?" Berry set down the rotten fragment of wood and gathered a palmful of grubs for herself. The sun was about to set and it was getting dark. She found a tree and set her hammock up in the branches before eating her supper. Curling up into a ball, she decided to wake early and get a start down the road, hoping to cover some distance and stretch her legs before the group caught up and she was forced back into a saddle. Maybe they knew what they were doing, maybe they didn't. Either way it was nice to have some direction for the time being.

* * *

Alwyn awoke as the sun was rising, stepping out of the shelter made by Blaze he walked over to the sleeping form of Ariakan and puzzled over who or what this being was, upon closer inspection he noticed some blood coming from Ariakan's right arm. Before Alwyn did anything he went into the shelter and walked over to where Blaze was sleeping.

"Blaze, I think Ariakan has returned, but from the sound what he is talking about in his sleep it isn't good, he also appears to be wounded badly."

As Alwyn was speaking Ariakan was listening by the door, he then stepped back and started to remove his armor. Embedded deep into his arm, penetrating the hard scales that covered his body was a shard of sword, it was deep enough to cause him great pain. He grabbed into what he could of it and pulled it out with a loud snarl of pain that everyone could hear. He then sliced a strip off of his fine tunic and tied it tightly over the wound to keep the blood loss to a minimum. The darke was a strong enemy one that even he could not take alone, but he had to free Blade from it's control. He started a small fire for himself nearby and pulled out some trail rations and one of his waterskins, he then sat in silence staring into the fire, the look in his violet eyes as intense as the flames. As he sat there he seemed to ignore the blood running down his arm and off of his claws, he just sat there focused on the flames as they danced about in the ring of stones, adding more fuel to it through his magic rather than using wood.

Blaze rolled over, forgetting he didn't exactly make the best of bedding and hit the floor with a thud followed by a stream of loud curses as he got up rubbing his nose aggitatedly. "Uhhhh...remind me NOT to make beds when I'm tired. Ariakan."

He followed Alwyn outside and sat across from him by the fire. He smiled as he looked at his friend and brother. "Ariakan, your news is most troubling, but it's good to see you again my friend. I prayed to the King of Dragons for you. He's granted your full awakening. You are a reborn dragon once more. Tell me, Blade, what happened there? I suspect, that if you are here, that the roads may no longer be safe and we'll be greated in open combat. So the King is false...it's as I feared. Lodoss has been taken over. Do you think they've killed the real king? If not, we'll need to kill the false king and THEN rescue the real king. We can't risk him being hurt when we make our assault."

Blaze drew his swords and began to shadden them, not that they needed it as they would never dull. He watched the sky and sighed. "I remember...days of old... when Our kind was revered and treated with the highest respect in the world. Wars would break out if a dragon was dishonored... that was the respect and love held for our kind. My deepest hope...is that, one day, those days will return. Ariakan, we need to discuss a battle plan. Fighting is now inevitable. With your newly awakened dragon powers your existing power will be doubled. With your mystic sword, you surpass me. But I will not summon my mystic weapon. I don't think I'm ready to wield such power."

"We'll need a distraction, I had to teleport out of there otherwise I'd have been either killed or captured. But how can we get in there without being detected, by now he will have strong defenses up against physical entry and magical entry, you go find the real king, I'll take on the false one. My family honor is at stake because of his false accusations." Ariakan stated after thinking for several minutes. After he heard of what Blaze had done Ariakan smiled slightly and then looked to Blaze. "I see, now I must learn to master my new level of power, as with great power comes great responsibility. There will be a day when we will get the respect, perhaps for us it will be sooner, anyways, someone awaits me raiden, I recieved her letter, I think it is Akaria, somehow I know it is her. She will not judge." His eyes had a look of longing for her, it was clear he loved this woman.

Zira awoke to Blaze's falling out of bed. Despite what most of her elven companions-save Deedlit-decided, she slept in the cabin Blaze prepared. She chose to bed down next to him, recently, she hated being apart from her dragon. She didn't get out of bed until after Blaze and Ariakan left. She hadn't seen Ariakan, her eyes were closed most of the time. But she recognized the presence and voice. As the two left, all she saw where their sillohuetes in the doorway-even that was surprising. However, she DID hear every word they spoke. After they stepped outside, she climbed out bed wearing only her shift and followed them outside, grabbing her cloak on the way out. Silently, on her bare feet, she walked to the two dragonic men, listening closely. Ariakan's new appearance was a shock, but she didn't react openly.

"Remember Deedlit and Parn. I know they are very famous there. Perhaps having such great heroes return would serve as a distraction. But how would our imposter react to them?" Zira interjected.

Ariakan looked up and shook his head. "I don't know, but I am going to have to stick to the shadows once I'm in, I am now a known criminal there so I have to disguise myself somehow. I can handle the imposter, anyways I have a score to settle with him." He then started to clean the wound on his arm as he hoped that he had bled out any possible infection.

Parn walked over to the group by the fire and looked at Ariakan, he hadn't changed much, except for the wings and the new armor and weapon. He managed to catch the bit about a imposter on the throne in Blade and the real Kashue missing so he spoke up. "Where is King Kashue and what exactly has replaced him?"

Ariakan looked up and shook his head. I don't know what has replaced him and we have to find him immediately. I unfortunately have a bit of a problem where I have been declared an enemy of Flaim and a criminal for trying to kill the imposter. I have to beat him, and show the people of Blade that I am not the bad guy." He then looked to everybody and stood up straight. "If Blade is to fall I will not let the real Kashuu die. I will defeat the imposter and banish whatever he is to the realm he came from..." His violet eyes had a determined look in them as he made the vow to everyone.

"Heh, well, if you recall Blaze, you're a bit of a fugitive there yourself," Zira replied with a smirk to rival on of Sevrina's. Already she was anxious to make their plans and get moving.

A voice came from behind them. "Bold words for a bold man. I guess you're all in need of an extra blade in this battle then. I'm known in Flaim. I fought with a few of you before. Yes, I left Marmo, even there...it fell...Spark is missing."

Blaze turned around and his eyes lit with recognition. "I know you. Altaris...the Heavenly Knight."

Altaris replied. "Indeed. I'd expect no less from a Dragon. Humble, intelligent, and honorable. You are all true warriors. You might be able to pull this off. I've been following you even since you abruptly left Marmo. Everything got out of hand after you left. But, the two other generals are still holding the enemy at bay, they just pray that Spark returns." The heavily armored knight moved from the shadows into the light of the fire. His armor shown brightly, white with gold trim and a blue cape. He had a long sword at his right side, obviously a lefty. He smiled and pulled off his helment, he left eye was a pale blue hue. A line ran from his forehead to his cheek. He'd been slashed across the eye. He could still see with that eye, regardless.

Blaze stood, shook his hand, and embraced the man. "It's been too long. I am sorry for leaving Marmo then. But...as you can see... more urgent matters appeared. I thought I might be able to quell it before it got out of hand. I was too cocky then. I realize the errors of my actions now."

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Altaris motioned to his eye, "We all make mistakes we regret. Zira, it's been a while. So, have you and Blaze finally gotten together?" He laughed slightly, joking. "Ah, yes, your friend... Gale, was it? ...He left that group on his own. He's travelling into Roid alone. Is there something there that holds his concerns? He's bold, over-protective, and quick tempered. Yet, he's gentle, noble, and honorable. He's a tough call. I hope he'll be ok going into Roid alone. Yes, I can transverse large spans of land. I've learned a few new tricks myself since the War. Parn, my old friend, how are you? I pray the years haven't been cruel to you, have they? Deedlit, probably still asleep. Parn, serously, when are you two gonna settle down? Ah, I talk too much. Come, include me into the fray. The imposter will have no choice but to act as the real king would towards Parn, Deedlit, and myself. Now, to plan."

Altaris's voice shocked Zira and she swung around to see him behind her. "How...Why?" she started forming questions, but he ended up answering them before she finished. She shook off the surprise and relaxed, then listened intently. Though she did blush slightly at his comment about her and Blaze. Good thing for that dark complexion of hers.

Deedlit was in the doorway of their little cabin, her elven ears heard everything perfectly. Altaris hadn't spotted her however, her surprise at seeing him was not as openly shown as Zira's jump. Stepping out of the door while fastening the neck of her dress, she replied to Ariakan first. "We know Kashue is a formidable fighter, even against the supernatural. How ever this imposter came to replace him, I fear for the worst. Kashue would not go down without a fight, he is the kind who would die with his sword in his hand. What reason would this being have for keeping him alive?"

She shot Altaris a cold look. "You would do well not to pry into people's personal lives." That was about all she had to say to him, she was curious on how Zira knew Altaris however.

Ariakan looked to Deedlit and nodded. "Yes he is, but when you destroy every blade that the imposter can use then you have the upper hand. This imposter is skilled, though I wonder how much of a fight he is when cornered. If there is any chance that Kashue is alive then it has to be acted on, I'm not giving up on that chance yet."

Parn stood there listening to Ariakan's words and then he looked to Deedlit. "He's right, there is still a chance that Kashue could be alive, we need to assemble the group and leave for Blade soon." As Parn was speaking

Ariakan looked into Alwyn's eyes and then quickly looked away. He motioned to Parn, Deedlit, Zira, Altaris, Blaze, and any others who were around indicating he needed to speak to them all without Alwyn around.

Blaze and Altaris nodded almost at the same time. Blaze was still strapping his armor on. "Alwyn, can you please excuse us? We need to converse alone. You will be filled in later. I have a plan worked out for you. You don't need to know the plan yet." Blaze was lying and he knew it. But he had to divert any suspicion. It would be easy to deal with things little by little.

Altaris turned to Deedlit, "Deedlit, please understand I meant no disrespect. You know I'm not a mean person. I beg forgiveness."

"Uhhh...you still talk too much Altaris... I guess it's hard to change that. Once you're used to talking so boldly, so often. Eh, Sir Loud-mouth the Great?" Blaze chided.

Altaris's eye twitched, "Mind your tongue my young friend. I'm not the only one to reach the rank of Heavenly Knight for no reason. We did seal a god in the last war. I'm sure all those who were there can clearly remember the horrors of the tunnels to get there... But this, the world now, it's like being in the tunnels again. That is why I left Marmo, to help."

Ariakan regared everybody after they were away from Awlyn. "A man is not to know his fate. Alwyn will die in the battle to come, I saw it when I looked into his eyes. I will not explain how I saw it as none of you would even know about the dragons of death, The skull dragons. Legends I know because of family lineage, lore that has long been sealed up and hidden from the world for millenia. Thus if I wished I could know when you all are going to die, but I wish to not have such knowledge."

Ariakan did not meet eyes with anyone there, as he pulled a black hood over his head and then looked back to Alwyn. "We should gather the group now and head on to Blade." He then waited for everyones response to his words.

Deedlit smiled and nudged Altaris with an elbow to show she wasn't truely offended. Rubbing her bare arms against the cold morning, she stopped and listened to Ariakan. "This is dark news. But everyone's time comes. There must be sacrifices made now and one cannot fight their destiny."

Ariakan nodded to Deedlit. "One cannot fight destiny, but what do we tell him now?" He looked around for any suggestions.

After Ariakan replied to Deedlit Parn looked at Ariakan and spoke. "You speak of these 'skull dragons' as if they were real, they are just a story made to keep children from misbehaving. If they ever existed then they would have left some trace. I say we tell Alwyn that we want him to fight up front, so at least he can do some damage before he meets his fate."

Zira turned to Parn. "They were, you humans can be so foolish. Just ask an elf, we dark elves remember them. They were known well to us. I will find the others, most of the elves went to find a place to sleep in the woods." With that, she turned away from the group and ran into the forest.

Parn looked to Zira and coughed a little. "If they existed, what happened to them, where did they go?" He seemed surprised that what had just been a story was real, and that there were those that still remembered them. He then turned to Ariakan. "If Blaze can trust you then you are trustworthy, I just hope that we don't run into anymore of your kin that are evil."

Ariakan looked to Parn and smiled. "They all fell because of their actions and my ancestor was the only one to voluntarily give up his existence as a dragon in the hopes he could guide them back to the correct path. The black wyrms of today are just fallen Skull Dragons."

Ariakan walked back over to Alwyn and look at him, avoiding his eyes. "Alwyn, I want you to fight today, try to take as many enemies out as possible. You should go get ready now, once we reach Blade things will heat up." He then headed to the center of the clearing so he could prepare for his travel. The world would again see a myth, a legend would return.

Alwyn looked to Ariakan and before Ariakan could get far enough away he spoke. "Why do you find death so attractive?"

Ariakan looked back and simply replied. "It is a part of the natural cycle, but you will soon find out." He then stood in the center of the clearing and shut the world out in a deathlike trance.

Blaze looked at Parn with a small smile, "The Skull Dragons were banished and punished by my ancestors. Because they were so perversely chaotic they lost their right as dragon. They may have still had the bodies of a dragon but at heart they were lost. Ariakan is awoken in heart and body now. I saw to it myself. But I'm too weak to call a Sumoning of my ancestors to help in the battle. I'll be able to use my dragon powers but no summoning. Ariakan, Altaris, everyone. The day is young. Let us make haste with this time. No horses. We fly on wings of speed. We'll land befor they can spot my dragon form. I want to give them a surprise when we get there."

Deedlit stepped up beside her horse, stroking its mane softly. "Although riding on dragon-back would definately save time, what would we do with our horses? We can't just leave them here. Besides, I think the fake Kashue would be a little suspicious if we took that mode of transport."

* * *

Berry was dreaming of the smell of fir trees, a tangy, clean smell that oozes out of the bark in sticky flows of resin, but was awoken when a stick was thrown up and hit her from below. Dazed and barely coherent, Berry poked her head over the side and saw Zira ready with a second stick in her hand. The dark elf called up to Berry, "Wake up. If you're still with us, then it's time to act." Berry scratched her nose, rubbed her ears and broke down the hammock.

Moryssa opened her eyes at a strange rustling noise. Looking up, she saw her brother, rubbing his head. Before he opened his mouth she put her finger up, annoyed. {Don't even speak,} she scolded in elven. {You're a horrible spy and you have even worse taste in women.}

{How do you know I was spying on..her? And for your information, she didn't even know I was there.} It wasn't a complete lie. She didn't know that he stayed, and watched over her all night.

{Toan! Did you even hear a word I said?}

{Oh, uh, Zira said it's time to go.} He rushed off and joined the others. Moryssa stood up and stretched when she heard Kiran's sleepy yawn.

{Mornin' handsome.} She smiled at her love. It was a wonderful feeling, waking up to see his face.

He smiled at her and stood. Placing a soft kiss on her mouth he stretched. {I see you and Toan are at it again. What's wrong with him having a little crush?}

{He does it so sloppily! And that woman! There is something about her. I don't know what it is but I know I don't like it.}

Kiran just smiled and kissed her on her forehead. {Come on. We've got to get ready to get ready to leave.}

{Fine.}

Kiran grabbed Moryssa's hand and the two walked back to the clearing, smiling. As Moryssa was walking, she noticed Ariakan.

"What's wrong with him?" The young merchant walked over two Ariakan. She walked around him studying the dragon/elf man. Stopping in front of him, she poked at his chest a few times. Almost holding her breath she waited for a response. Nothing? Is he dead?

Moryssa climbed onto a small stone so that she could be face to face with him. After poking at him a few more times she yelled into his ear. "Ariakan, are you okay!? Wake up !" No response.

Moryssa opened up his eyelids with her fingers staring dead in them. "His pupils have dilated," she said facing the others,"but I still don't think he's alive. What did you do to him Blaze?" Not waiting for a response, she looked back into Ariakan's eyes. Absently, she poked one of them with her finger.

The eye scanned Moryssa as Ariakan grinned a toothy grin. "You know it is very rude to do that, and never look into my eyes, I know something about you that I don't want to know." He then raised a large claw and lifted her up in the palm of one of his hands. When he was one she was at least one hundred feet in the air. "Now apologize before I let you down."

"Aaaahh! Put me down you big lug! I was only worried about YOUR welfare! Put me down this instant !"

Toan walked up to Ariakan. "Please put her down. Her curiousity get's the best of her at times. And she's a bit lacking in the common sense department."

"Watch it Toan," she growled from her height, "or you'd better hope he doesn't put me down."

Toan just smiled a little at her. He's mocking me! That smile isn't so cute when it's turned at me.

Blaze looked at Moryssa and sighed heavily, pointing to the huge Dragon right behind her and motioned that she was sitting on it's foot. "Ariakan, like me, can now shift forms. You're sitting on his foot and I'd move because I'm changing too." Blaze shut his eyes and started to shift forms into the lumbering Kaiser Dragon. He matched Araikan's height but was much more magestic in appearance. His scales were a bronzed gold color and his horns were long matching his stature.

"Two dragons...one group...... I feel sorry for the enemy actually... Heh heh heh...I'm kidding." Altaris started to climb up Blaze's back. Blaze whipped his head around not being able to see who it was. It was also the first time he'd actually give someone a ride. "Relax, it's just me. Don't get hyper on me."

Blaze shook his whole body furiously as he got a shiver down his back from Altaris. It was very annoying. But he did make the mistake of offering a ride. "Ariakan, we should go ahead and scout. When we reach Blade, I'm sure they won't fire on me. They've never seen a Kaiser Dragon. Plus I'm got a war hero on my back...literally. Zira, meet us there. It's time to cause a little bit of chaos and break a hole in their defences." Blaze took off, floating just above the tree line, waiting for Ariakan.

Ariakan set Moyrssa down and then followed Blaze into the air, he quickly caught up to Blaze and spied ahead, hoping that they would not be too late. "There is too much at stake here, I hope the others can make it in time."

Stumbling, Moryssa found her way to her horse. She angrily rejected Kiran's offer to help her on it. Toan just stifled a laugh.

Holding back her own laugh, Zira once again took charge. "Alright everyone, it's time to leave. Deedlit and Parn, you two should probably ride in the front. Berry and myself shall bring up the rear. Let's go!"

Deedlit nodded and mounted her horse. After making sure everything was in order, she rode off. Moryssa, Toan, Alwyn and Kiran rode off a few moments later.

Parn rode in the lead beside Deedlit, as they rode he focused on what lay ahead and what he knew about Alwyn. The news that the skull dragons really did exist surprised him, enough to make it a silent journey for him.

Berry made her way to the camp slightly later than would be good for the sake of clarity and continuity but was filled in as best as she was able to comprehend ("Two dragons? Really? Wow. What? A false king? Ok, so is that bad? It is? Why? Oh. So, we want the real king? Are we sure he's the better of the two? Really? Ok, and we're doing what exactly? etc...")

Moments passed rapidly as gear was stowed and saddles tightened. The first riders of the group made off, and were followed closely by the rest. Berry sighed at the prospect of spending another day in the saddle. Her hopes of a nice hike to stretch her legs and reconnect with the trail would evaporate with the sweat of the steed she'd be riding. Berry still wasn't used to this perspective of being several spans higher up than she usually was and her eyes and head rolled trying to orient themselves to the alien experience. Once Zira was confident Berry wasn't going to topple out of the saddle behind her, the dark elf paused a moment and took a final glance over the barren campsite. Berry fished in her russack and brought out a clenched fist. Just before Zira spurred her mount on to follow, Berry pushed her fist forward in front of Zira. She opened her hand to show a palmful of freshly picked seedpods, collected from the night before and offered to the dark elf, "Nuts?"