Elsewhere...

Captain Gizur entered the dark hall and saw Dragonlord Valgard at the other end of the room sat on his ornate chair in front of an imposing table. However, his attention remained on his master for only a moment. Around the Dragonlord's chair lay a large, black, glistening beast, its tail curling behind the Dragonlord and it's spine-encrusted head lying near to its master's lap.

It was his lord's mount, Gizur noted, one of the smaller wyrms. There were different types of wyrms, Gizur knew, and this one was a wyvern. Although smaller and less powerful than its cousins, the drakes, this beast could still crush a small army or rip a pack of large animals to pieces. Valgard seemed to be talking to the fearsome beast as Gizur entered but stopped when the captain started walking towards them.

Valgard waited until Gizur had stepped onto the stone dais, walked to the other side of the table, bent one knee to the floor and bowed deeply. Gazing from under the plumed helm that he wore, Valgard frowned and addressed his captain and servant. He had long been expecting this man.

"Captain Gizur! Tell me. What has happened to Arak and the slaves? Why are they delayed?" Valgard commanded, his deep voice echoing in the cold, empty hall.

Gizur bowed again and addressed his master, one eye carefully watching the beast even though it now appeared to be sleeping. There was a look of utter fear on Gizur's weatherworn face but he hid it as best he could.

"My lord. It is... bad news. The scouts found the bodies of Arak and his goblin slavers in a clearing some miles south of the coast. They are all dead, slaughtered every one of them, even the ogres. There was no sight of the slaves in the area...".

"Dead!?" snarled Valgard, cutting off his servant's words. "For losing my slaves the Bright One shall see that they burn for all of eternity", Valgard snarled. "What army did this?"

Gizur gulped and bowed even lower, his face pointing directly to the floor. The wyvern hadn't stirred but Gizur could no longer gaze upon its sinuous form. He spoke up, loud and clear.

"No army, my lord. The scouts report that, from the footprints in the area and other signs, it appears a band of six to eight warriors attacked the dolfanc. Injuries to the bodies show axe, sword, dagger and arrow wounds. Unusual scorch marks were also seen around the trees and on the ground. From this, the scouts think that at least one of them was a sorcerer. Also there appeared to be unusual plant growth in the clearing - roots and grasses were more abundant in a small area around one empty slave pen".

Valgard listened intently to his messenger, his hands steepled in front of his handsome face.

"No doubt one of Beldrementhellen's bastards", he cursed. Then, with a flick of one of his well-manicured hands, he bid Gizur to continue.

"Nothing else of interest was found, except for this". Gizur held up a large tuft of white fur and passed it to his superior.

Valgard took the white fur, looked at it intently, and sniffed its odour. A wicked smile played upon the corners of his cruel mouth.

"So, the Great Bear was with them", he cackled, then nodded appearing satisfied. "It is them. The Bright One will want to know about this immediately. Where were they headed?".

"The tracks of the carts taken from the dolfanc head south for a while and then turn eastwards. The scouts did not pursue any further". Gizur was unsure whether this would meet with his lord's approval.

The Dragonlord seemed to think for a moment, nodded and then looked at the white fur again. He carefully placed the piece of bear pelt on the table and looked back up at Gizur.

"The escape of the slaves is an unfortunate loss", Valgard continued, not mentioning the loss of the goblins. They were beneath his interest. "But of little consequence in the scheme of things".

He leaned forward on his ornate throne and stroked the head of his wyvern whilst gazing directly into Gizur's faltering eyes.

"Regarding schemes... tell me Gizur, is everything ready? Are you and the other captains prepared?"

Gizur bowed low again, breaking the stare and nodded.

"Aye, my lord!" he happily announced. "Everything is as you ordered. We are ready".

"Good", replied Valgard. "The Bright One shines upon us. Now go and be ready for my final orders".

As the Dragonlord sat back in his chair, Gizur gratefully nodded, stood and began to leave.

Valgard watched the man as he walked out of the hall, his gloved hand resting on the flank of his monstrous mount. Soon, he thought, the Dragonlords and the forces of the Bright One would be triumphant.

This was their time.

The two men were ushered into Lord Valgard's chamber and left alone with the commander. They were scared, but they knew that this was their opportunity to improve their lot in life by gaining his favor.

"We," he started and indicated the other man. "We were staying in Per when we noticed an odd group arrive."