The flag on the Grand Duke's palace stayed lowered for over a week. Uhua had not returned during that time and no one in the camp spoke of her running away. Instead Kiva ordered that they go on with the plans to build the dragon.

                Anyone who knew how to sew was called and all scrap material was brought together. They cooked up a pot of dye, turning white fabric's blood red. They gathered strong but light timber from the forest and cleared a grass field for their project. Everyone in the camp was given something to do. They were under pressure but the job had to be done right.

                It was on the day that the dragon's massive head was coming to shape that someone reported a coach coming along the road. Hero took a break from overseeing the construction and went up to the windmill to have a look. From this vantage point he watched the fancy dressed team trot up the road toward the palace. It was something beautiful to look at until he gave thought to who might be inside.

/

                Stealing away in the night had been Uhua's idea. Euromus had been against it but she eventually persuaded him. As they came upon the Nagorin camp Euromus had the team slow down. In the distance he could see the cleared field and the unusual construction. He leaned forward and looked out Uhua's window to get a better view.

                "Can you tell what it is?" he asked his bride.

                Uhua scoffed. "Kiva just might be building a monument to himself."

                Euromus laughed. "Shall we stop and say hello?"

                Uhua responded be closing the curtain over the window. "I know no one down there," She  leaned back in her seat.

Euromus decided not to pressure her about it and hoping there would be time for reconciliation later he had his servants walk on.

From the windmill Hero watched the impressive coach move on. No one had gotten out; no one had waved from the windows. It was possible the coach did not contain his little sister but it was hard for him to make himself believe this. As the team moved on towards the distant palace he felt her lost to them forever.

He had no time to mourn this. Lives were at stake and they still had much to do. He climbed down from the windmill and returned back to the field. He walked the skeletal body of the dragon listening to the sounds of wood being chopped and hammered together. He stopped at the dragons head and looked into its flaming eyes. They would only have one chance to do this and if they were found out it would mean death for them all. Failure meant death.

/

Hail this mighty nation

High or flag does wave

Praise the crimson army

Her soldiers bright and brave

Hail this mighty nation

No face can form against thee

Marching into battle

To keep the pure race free

Hail this mighty nation

An army likes the stars

Mightier than dragons

The victory is ours

General Roman Kasper was up early watching the sun rise over the army encamped in the rocky desert. Victory was so close he could taste it on his lips. He closed his eyes and thought of Isca who wouldn't live in the world he was creating for her.

"Mighty Bellum, keep her in your bosom."

"What a pleasant sunrise."

Roman Kasper turned around and saw Torotto coming up behind him. He looked back towards the sun and squinted his eyes. "It seems different," he said as the black wolf joined him. "Something about it...it just seems different."

Torotto chuckled. "You've just never been to this part of the world," he said. "They say the sun rises at a different angle from here."

Kasper looked back down at the camp. "Today we start into the mountains," he said.  "Prepare the troops."

"Yes, General," Torotto said. He started away then stopped. "Shall your cousin be staying behind with Dresden?" he asked.

Kasper rolled his shoulders. "No," he said. "I want Munich with me...at the front of the line."

Torotto nodded then headed down into the camp to prepare the soldiers to move out. From the knoll, Roman Kasper watched as the camp began to assemble then he turned and faced the white mountains that stood out before them.

Below in the camp Munich circled the cannon as the vulcanist prepared it for the mountain journey. It was massive and craved the life blood of the innocent. He studied the runners it was on and the chains that the soldiers would have to pull to haul it over the mountain.

"I wouldn't get to close if I were you," Istanbul said from atop it. "We wouldn't want it to go off." He cackled as Munich stepped back.

                The young zebra returned to the camp to find Dresden. He hadn't seen the okapi in years since he left with Captain Budapest Strum. He found him watching a line of soldiers being blessed by an idol of Bellum.

                "I heard you'll be marching through the mountain with the General," Dresden said as Munich joined him. "I don't envy you, old son."

                "It's either that or die a deserter," Munich said. "Believe me, I'd run now if I thought I had nothing to live for."

                Dresden nodded. "Keep your spirit up and your head low," he said. "Perhaps you can make it back with it intact. Eh?"

                Munich didn't care for such humor. "Dresden, if I don't come back I want you to take care of my little girl alright. Please, don't let anything happen to her."

                Dresden nodded as he looked into his friend's eyes. "Hey, what about your friends, you don't think they will come through for you?"

                Munich looked towards the mountain. "They may have never made it," he said. "Or they may have decided not the trust me."

                Dresden slapped him on the back. "I'll take care of her, Munich," he said. "You have nothing to worry about."

                Captain Strum suddenly soared overhead and both soldiers looked up as the stork glided toward the General's tent. He was inside for a few short seconds before both he and the General came bursting out. They rushed toward Munich and Dresden and then past them. The two soldiers followed them over the dune, past where the troops were being blessed. When they reached the top of the dune they froze.

                Strong red flags waved in the hands of guards as a fine carriage came struggling through the rocks and sand.

                Roman Kasper hurried up to the carriage as it stopped and from its elaborate gilding stepped the Emperor. All present fell down on their faces as the armored ruler walked into the camp.  

"Up, all of you," Cato spoke and the soldiers rose. The large lion walked in among the soldiers observing every one. "Today we begin our final victory. Today we march into the Glimmer Mountains. I have come from Mount Lions, left the comfort of my home, to see you boys to victory. On the day you face off with Recomine I...I shall be with you."

                The army cheered, bringing the desert to life with their voices.

                Looking at the Emperor as he admired the cannon made Munich want to bury himself in the sands. Dresden said something to him but he couldn't hear over the crowd and his own thoughts. He shielded his eyes as the sun rays reflected off of the Emperors golden armor. He turned in the direction of it as it stretched its rays across the sand. Something felt different.

Hail this mighty nation

High or flag does wave

Praise the crimson army

Her soldiers bright and brave

Hail this mighty nation

No face can form against thee

Marching into battle

To keep the pure race free

Hail this mighty nation

An army likes the stars

Mightier than dragons

The victory is ours

/

Hero worked the levers that moved the dragons head and opened and closed its mouth. He showed them to five others in the event that he was injured. Everyone had to know their places. They had those who worked the tail and those who worked the wings. They had those that worked the legs and those that worked the neck and those that worked the flame. Then they also had those who would fly solo as guides from their own kites. Kiva and Lahar were a part of this group. The dragon was massive. Its body was longer than the camp.

Hero looked in the direction of the hill where the windmill once stood. It was sad that they had to disassemble it for parts but they were running out of time. He looked over his shoulder as Kiva came up the ladder and joined him on the dragons back.

"Hero, you've outdone yourself," he said as he admired the completed work.

"We all did," Hero said. "This is the power of Nagoray."

"Hero!"

Hero went to the edge of one wing and looked down to see Maringa and Awash standing below. He quickly dismounted the dragon and joined his Tangian friends. He embraced them both then they looked up at the dragon.

"I told you he could do it," Maringa said to Awash.

"What are you talking about?" Awash hissed. "I never doubted him."

Hero laughed at the two of them. Some things never changed. "Come on," he said. I want you to meet my brother, Kiva." He led them aboard the dragon where Kiva waited. The Tangians both bowed though Kiva said it wasn't necessary.

"The Tangians want to help," Awash said. "We've even convinced some of the natives to join us."

"That's thoughtful of you." Kiva said. "But we won't have time to train you on kites."

Awash couldn't hold back a laugh. "Your Royal Highness you don't understand," he said. "We Tangians will fight from the ground. You'll need help giving those Mounts a run for their money." He swung an imaginary blade through the air.

A screech made them all look up as a snowy owl flew into camp. Corinth looked menacing in his white armor as he lighted down on the dragon. "Crown Prince, Kiva." He announced. "His Majesty King Druid has sent me to inform you that the devil Mounts have entered the Glimmer Mountains."

Maringa gasped and covered her mouth. Suddenly she didn't feel too brave.

Kiva nodded his head. So the moment was upon them now. "You know the plan," he said.

"Yes," Corinth said. "Trap them on the pass outside the frozen valley."

"Then we are all in accord," Kiva said. He couldn't stop himself from trembling. "Thank you Corinth. Tell him we are on our way."

As the owl flew off Kiva turned to Hero then they both looked at the dragon. They believed it would fly but there was still the matter of getting it off the ground.

"We have to, Kiva," Hero said.

Kiva sighed. "I know," he said. "But will he receive us."

"He's our brother-in-law," Hero said. "I'm sure he wants to make up with us as much as we wish to make up with him."

"I'm not so sure I want to," Kiva said following Hero away from the camp.

"Don't be stubborn," Hero said. "We need an air balloon and you and I both know we can't get one from the Emperor. The Grand Duke is our only other choice."

Kiva relented with reluctance. Hero was right after all. Druid was ready to face the Mounts and the Tangians and other camps had agreed to join them too. Everyone would be waiting on Nagoray. If the Grand Duke wanted to help save his nation then this would be the way.