Preface
Several months had passed since the kingdoms of Elnara and Kellmorgen were reunited by the Fairy Princess Elizabeth, leaving behind the Dragon Lord and his followers, who were condemned to remain behind in the existence that Ellis had created. Ellis resumed her identity as Lord Evan, The Dragon Lord, wiping the memory of her true identity from Lord Griffin’s mind, he being the only one of her followers that had witnessed her transformation from the Dragon Lord to that of her true self.
The Dragon Lord and those loyal to him now found themselves in a very different Kellmorgen than the one they had known. Half the population of the kingdom was now gone. The castles and villages, except for Dragon Castle and Dragon Village had disappeared as well, along with the crops and domestic
animals.
Lord Braddock and his armies, who had anxiously anticipated victory over the royal family in Kendoor, had found themselves standing in a wilderness. Not knowing what had happened or how to proceed, he along with the other Lords and their subjects began traveling south to Dragon Castle to consult with their sovereign. Upon his arrival, Lord Braddock was immediately granted an audience with his ruler.
“Your Majesty,” Lord Braddock bowed where he stood, a short distance from the Dragon Lord, who remained seated on his throne in the audience chamber. Despite the long journey south from Kendoor, the middle-aged man seemed unfatigued. He was long used to lengthy traveling and fighting, having done so most of his life in the Dragon Lord’s service.
“Lord Braddock,” acknowledged the Dragon Lord.
“What has happened, Milord?” asked the bewildered commander.
“The kingdoms have been reunited,” stated the Dragon Lord matter-of-factly.
“I don’t understand,” replied the still confused Lord Braddock.
“Then let me explain,” said the Dragon Lord, continuing, “With our victory over the royal family imminent, I knew the Fairy Kingdom would send the Fairy Princess to rejoin the kingdoms after my coronation. As I explained to you previously, the only way to travel between the existences is through the enchanted mirror, which is why it was imperative that I recover it from High Castle.”
“But didn’t you recover the mirror?” asked Lord Braddock, looking for confirmation.
“I did,” the Dragon Lord told him. “Unfortunately, not before the Fairy Princess traveled through it and met Prince Percy.”
“That buffoon?” asked Lord Braddock.
“I’m afraid we underestimated him,” confessed the Dragon Lord. “I don’t know what he offered her, but it must have been considerable, for she healed Prince Aden.”
“Prince Aden is alive!” Lord Braddock interrupted, causing the Dragon Lord to glare at him. “I beg your pardon, Majesty.”
“She healed Prince Aden,” the Dragon Lord continued. “She and Prince Percy also gained the assistance of Lord Wolcott.” This brought a surprised look to Lord Braddock’s face, but he knew better than to interrupt the Dragon Lord again. “The Fairy Princess then rejoined the kingdoms, condemning me and all my loyal subjects to remain in this existence.”
“After all you’ve done, to be so betrayed, Milord,” commented Lord Braddock as he shook his head at the seemingly hopelessness of their situation.
“We are not done yet,” assured the Dragon Lord.
“What is there to do Your Majesty?” asked Lord Braddock, ready to take action. “Command me!”
“The Fairy Princess condemned us to this existence, so only she can reunite us with the two kingdoms,” the Dragon Lord explained. “We will bring her here and……convince her to do just that.”
“How will we do that?” asked Lord Braddock. The task seemed to be beyond possibility, but he knew that with the magic of the fairies almost anything was possible.
“Make ready to travel in the morning. The party will consist of me along with you and four or five of your best men,” informed the Dragon Lord.
“Where will we be traveling to Your Majesty?” asked Lord Braddock.
“Into the mountains,” was the Dragon Lord’s reply.