Castor stood from his crouched position. "A dam? Why would they want a dam?"

The North lord shook his head. "I have no idea. The River Trem goes across the mouth of the pass. They might be making a dam to get soldiers into the pass."

"But how would that incorporate our death?" Aeran asked.

"I have no idea." The North lord answered.

"What if they just kept the dam in place?" L'arch asked. "Then, when we go across it, like we must in order to get to the fortress, they will bring it down on us. That much water being stored for that long would at least cause chaos in the ranks, if not kill hundreds. Then, while our men are blind and weak, they will cut us down."

"It could very well be." Theuses said. "Such a strike on us would be devastating and just what we could expect from the Empire."

"So what do we do? We can't afford to call off the attack and we can't afford to continue it if we are just going to get slaughtered." L'arch noted.

Everyone's gaze fell on Castor. He was the leader. Sure it was their armies, but they were uniting under him. The pure weight of the quest seemed to suddenly dawn on him. It was not just his fate, but theirs' too. Yet this realization simply hardened his determination. He realized there were many more lives at stake than just his and his people's. They had no choice.
"We will continue the attack. If we fall, than we fall. "

~ ~ ~

Bantu walked through the camp with Tarris right behind him.

The Urki gave rough salutes as they passed and the Argles grunted respectfully. The building project had finally started. A huge mound of fresh boards stood piled next to the rocky walls that formed the pass. Slaves pulled huge baskets of rocks that were to be used in the redirecting of the river while the dam was being built. Urki soldiers in battle armor looked over the operation. Tarris was just beginning to tell Bantu of the unfortunate escape.

"The Night elf escaped while the sentry was switching shifts. He was seen, however. An Argle planted three arrows solidly in his chest, but he kept going. He was also intercepted by an Urki guard. He took a cut to the left arm before vanishing into thin air," Tarris explained.

Bantu waved off the bad news. "It will make no matter. They will still be forced to attack the pass if they intend to stop Morgorath's rising. Even if they don't, Morgorath will rise and they will be destroyed then."

"Even so, I have ordered a monster to attack the Night elf city of Crolia. I am aware that it will not destroy them, but it will send a strong enough message."

Bantu looked at him. "What beast is powerful enough to get past their magic barriers?"

Tarris smiled. "This monster will not need to get past the barriers when it can materialize inside of them. Or anywhere really as long as sunlight touches it."

Bantu also smiled in understanding. "A fine monster to be sure. Especially with the little twists."

"Yes. I expect it will arrive as soon as you give the word."

"Release the creature. I wish to see how they will deal with it."

"So be it."

~ ~ ~

Castor and Theuses walked back to the tree-house that was to be their courters. L'arch had been assigned a private house farther away from the entrance to the city. The North lord and the other two lords had gone to look for a suitable shaman to sit on the East throne. Ilvnag had left to deal with some business.

They walked almost in silence. Castor did not know about Theuses, but his mind was spinning with ways to get past the dam. It would not be easy and his had found no answer. The sun shone on them brightly and elves talked and laughed in the afternoon. The leaves crunched under their feet as they walked.

Theuses and Castor were walking farther on toward their more isolated tree house when Castor thought he saw something. A glimmer like the sunlight had solidified. He thought of mentioning it to Theuses, but decided against it.

Theuses had not really reacted when Castor had declared his choice about the attack. Castor couldn't tell whether or not he was angry, sad, or had no input.

There it was again. The sunlight seemed to morph into a solid shape. A dragon? Castor rubbed his eyes, but did not see it anymore.

"What's the matter?" Theuses asked.

"Nothing.... I don't think."

Theuses looked at him skeptically. "If you say so."

Castor was slightly annoyed at Theuses's remark, but he let it go.

There it was again! This time he stopped in his tracks. The sunlight pulled together into a huge shape.

Theuses whirled around. "Get back!"

In front of them a huge shape came materialized. Its body was plated in scales that were bright gold like they were forged from sunlight and glowed like stars. Its claws were like sabers and its teeth were as long as Castor's arm. Its tail stretched out into a spear-shaped tip. The neck was long with a diamond shaped head. Two horns curled off his head like ram's horns. His body was covered in gold. Its eyes were like miniature suns; glowing with an inner light.

Theuses pulled out his sword. Castor did the same. The beast let out a deep roar and spit out a column of white fire, incinerating a clump of trees into ash. Theuses spun to one side of the creature. "Castor! Move away from the dragon!"

"What is this thing?!" Castor shouted over the creature's growling.

"A fire dragon! They were the most ancient of monsters and were rumored to have fallen from heaven!"

"So they are immortal?"

"Yes, but we can at least banish it toget rid of it for now!"

"Banishing is good. How?!" The fire dragon advanced slowly, shooting tongues of flame from its mouth.

"We need to kill it like anything else. It won't die, but it will be banished from this area for a good period of time." Theuses raised his palm to the sky and a bolt of pure energy flew into his waiting hand. The lightning reflected from his palm, shooting at the dragon. As the energy grew closer to the sun dragon, it was absorbed into his scales, making them shine even brighter than before.

Theuses gave Castor a puzzled look. "That should have taken care of it! Something is wrong." The dragon fired another bolt of blazing light that incinerated a larger group of trees. The flames quickly spread up to the tree-house. "It shouldn't be that powerful!"

Castor dove to avoid a column of fire. He turned his sword to land the blade on the dragon's neck. As he tried to pull back the blade ignited bright orange. The metal grew increasingly bright until the entire sword was blazing. Castor shrieked and pulled his hand away as the metal handle heated and melted.

Theuses cried for help, but no one came. The dragon blew another stream of fire. Theuses lifted his hand and cast a shield of light, blocking it. The dragon bellowed in frustration as two shamans ran from the forest.

The dragon whirled around, seeing the threat. At this, it slashed its claw; digging its talons into Castor's arm. With another scream, Castor fell to the ground and passed out. Steam rose from the wounds.

Out of nowhere two shamans appeared out of the trees with spears already in their hands. The two shamans forward and threw their spears. The first spear missed the main body, but stung the paw of the dragon. The magic-strengthened metal cut clean through the shining plates and drew a stream of golden blood. The dragon howled in pain and lashed out. The second spear hit its target right on point. The spear cut into the dragon's heart, striking it dead. Its body exploded into a burst of sunlight and disappeared.

Theuses wearily knelt next to Castor. The shamans ran up. "My lord, you are too weak. Let me." The first knelt and chanted. Castor's wound slowly healed. "What happened? Where'd that thing come from?" Asked one of the two Night elves.

Theuses shook his head. "I don't know. It just materialized in front of us. It was stronger than most, though. Bantu must have had his minions strengthen it. I just don't know how."

"It's irrelevant," The first shaman said as he helped an awakened Castor to his feet. "We need to tell the North lord about this. Until then, one of us will be with you at all times."

"He's right." The second shaman said in agreement. "Only our weapons seem to hurt it, so we will have to guard you."

"Even with guards it is unnerving to know a monster can strike us down at any moment." Castor said.

"I don't think so." Theuses observed. "Tarris and Bantu would have sent more monsters or stronger ones if they wanted to kill us."

"Regardless, the emperor is dangerous. Even if he chooses not to kill you, he is not to be underestimated. He may choose yet another way to stall you or imprison you."

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