Leeta awoke to the sound of waves crashing against the shore. She blinked her eyes twice as the memories came back to her. After reuniting, Cole had taken her riding outside the city. They had stopped a few miles away at a relatively secluded beach, where they had spent the rest of the day and night. Holding the blanket close, the princess sat upright to look around. She immediately saw Cole standing several yards ahead staring out at the sea as the sun began to shed light down on to the rippling water from the east.
She could tell his arms were folded across his bare chest. The only piece of clothing he wore was his tan pants. Leeta gathered the blanket around her naked body and rose to walk over to him. Stopping at his left side, she laid her head on his shoulder, which caused him to place a strong arm around her.
"What are you thinking about?" asked the princess.
The Dragonmaster took in a slow breath. "What to do next. I've been focused on finding you for so long, that I'm not sure what to do now." Leeta closed her eyes as his hold tightened slightly. "I know what he's after and what he wants. Now all I'm missing is the why."
Cole paused for a second. "What happened to change Kole from me to what he has become? Why does he want the power of the Chaos so badly?"
Leeta's eyes opened as a new thought occurred to her. "Me." She looked up at her love. "He lost me."
There was silence as they pondered over her statement. Cole was the first to break the silence. "I can understand that. Who knows what might have happened if I had lost you completely."
"I know I'm right about this," continued the princess. "Before he... hurt me..." There was a slight pause during which Cole's arm tightened even more protectively around her. "Before it happened, I remember Kole mumbling something like if he couldn't have me, then you couldn't."
"I think you're right," agreed Cole. "During my search, he brought me to a dream world for two reasons. First, to show off his ability to access the power of the Goddess Tribe. Then he said he wanted to see the pain in my eyes because you were gone."
"I almost pity him," she whispered.
"I can't," he added. "If I pitied him, it would trivialize all those who have died in this war." Cole removed his arm and went to retrieve his shirt. "Come on, we need to get back."
Leeta slowly walked over to the pile of her clothing. "What are you going to do?"
His head popped through the top of his green tunic. "Call a meeting."
It was a short time later that found a select few standing on the roof of the Ausa mansion in Vane. The group consisted of Fox and Carmen, dressed in the garb of the Prairie Tribe, Connery and his new friend Itise, both wearing grease stained overalls, Alex in a simple pair of brown pants and a white tunic, Lorene in a yellow and green dress, and Nall and Ruby dressed as they always were.
Cole and Leeta stood before the group. "Now that we're all here," began Cole with a glare and the two dragons, "we can get started."
Nall shrugged. "Hey, I didn't see you around last night." Ruby punched him in the shoulder for that remark. The former Dragon of Althena held up his hands in the "backing off" motion.
"Now then," continued the Dragonmaster. "As we all know, we are in the middle of a war. However, I think that there are some of us that don't know the whole story behind what's happening." So for the next few minutes, Cole explained what the Demon Dragonmaster was after.
"So that's what that thing was," commented Connery. "We had one of those Resurrection Stones, but I had to give it up to save our hides." He punched his hands together. "Dammit, if I'd know then I might have come up with something else."
"It's okay, Connery," assured Cole. "You did what you had to do. We can always take back the Stone as opposed to a dead you." The little thief gave him an appreciative smile.
"So how many are there?" asked Ruby.
"Six Stones for the colors of the rainbow. One for the color of all, and one for the color of not. Eight Stones in all unlock the power of Chaos," recited Connery.
Itise looked at him funny. "How did you remember that?"
The thief shrugged. "Photographic memory."
Leeta held out her hands to count. "So, technically, there are eight stones: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, and black."
"Well, actually, there are a few more colors in the rainbow," Connery started to say.
"Later, Connery," interrupted Cole. "As far as we know, the Demon Dragonmaster has the green one, and who knows how many more."
"Wait!" cried Ruby.
"What?" everyone asked at once.
She held out her right hand to the group. There was a small, red flash, and the Goddess's Kiss appeared. Cole's eyes went wide when he saw the red sphere attached to the piece of the Goddess Crest. Ruby grabbed the sphere with her left hand and started pulling. A small popping sound was heard when she pulled them apart.
"Looks like we have the red one," she said with a triumphant smile.
Alex walked over to take the Stone from her. "The next question is, how do we find whatever Stones remain?"
"And how do we find out how many our enemy has?" added Fox.
Cole folded his arms. "Those are important things we have to take care of, but neither one can be accomplished as long as there is a significant amount of the Hades Army on Lunar."
"Scrying spells have confirmed that they aren't on the main continent anymore," Nall told him. "The Demon Dragonmaster has pulled all his forces back to the second continent."
"Well that tells us two things," concluded Leeta. Everyone looked at her. "One, we scared him enough to pull back. Which means that our forces are at least strong enough to deal with whatever he has here."
"But that still doesn't mean he can't call in reinforcements from the Blue Star," countered Alex. "We have to remember that it must have taken vast numbers to conquer both hemispheres."
The princess nodded. "Granted, but that's not my entire point. Think about this. The Demon Dragonmaster could have fought harder to retain control here. He certainly still had enough troops planet wide to launch a counter attack after his defeat." She raised her finger. "Therefore, we have to ask why?"
"He's not interested in this area anymore," said Lorene.
"Exactly!" agreed Leeta with a smile. "There must still be something on the other continent he still wants. Hell, there must be something somewhere else on Lunar he needs, otherwise he would have picked up completely and returned to the Blue Star."
"Which means that there must still be one Resurrection Stone hidden here on Lunar," finished Cole. "And the first place to start looking is the other continent."
With the inner circle meeting over, everyone broke and left the Mansion. Cole and Leeta were the last to exit, only to be met by Nall and Ruby out front.
"Cole, I need to talk to you," the Red Dragon told him.
He nodded. "Good, I was just going to say the same thing." The Dragonmaster looked over at his love. "Can you give me a minute?"
Leeta smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Of course. Besides," she added with a playful grin, "a certain White Dragon and I need to do some catching up."
Nall offered her his left arm. "Right this way, Princess." She gave Cole a quick kiss on the cheek before taking the offered arm.
"Be good," Ruby told the other dragon after placing a kiss on his cheek.
"When am I ever not?" he replied with feigned innocence. Leeta couldn't help chuckling as they walked down the brick path.
Cole and Ruby turned and started down the path leading towards the library. Mages and soldiers bowed their heads to the two as they passed. Soon they stopped at a stone bench outside the library and sat. "I need to talk to you about..." Cole started to say.
"Mirage and Argile," finished Ruby. "I know," she said with a slow nod. "I'm sorry, but I haven't heard a peep from them in over seven months."
"Well, what was the last thing you heard?" he asked.
Ruby rested her forearms on her knees. "Well, to tell you the truth it wasn't exactly a message, but a feeling. I felt it when those two introduced the new Blue and Black Dragons to their Auras." The dragon got a distant look in her red irised eyes. "Since then their presences have been there, but in the background. Kind of like they're just far away."
The two of them lifted their heads to look at the Blue Star. "How?" wondered Cole. "Neither one has magical abilities for teleportation."
Ruby snapped her fingers. "I've got it! It might have something to do with the Dragon Ruins. That was where I hid the Blue and Black Auras after the battle with Ziatoch. They must have used that old teleportation device I had Connery research."
Cole looked at her with questioning eyes. "Do you mean that large circle of stone arches and a standing stone slab with glyphs?" She nodded. The Dragonmaster touched his lips with his right hand. "They must have been the ones who used it before I did."
Ruby shifted on the bench to stare at him. "What are you talking about?"
Cole looked at the dragon as if seeing her sitting there for the first time. "Oh. You see I used that same device to teleport to the Fairy Tribe. When we got there, the Ruins looked like a war zone." He smiled absently as it all made sense now. "In retrospective, I now know that Mirage, Argile, and the two dragons had a battle with the Hades Army at the Ruins shortly before I arrived. They must have somehow figured out how to use the teleportation device and traveled to the Blue Star."
"Where they're all on their own against the main body of the Hades Army," added Ruby. A frown quickly spread across her face. "This complicates things."
A gleam started to form in Cole's green eyes. "Not necessarily. I think I've got an idea."
"Okay, Dragonmaster," stated General Tiberius loudly. "Why have you called this council to meeting?"
Wearing the Black Dragon's Armor, Cole rose from his seat to address the general and gathered council members. Tiberius was a military man to the core. His graying hair was cut so short that it simply stood on end, and he had a squared, weathered face that had seen many a battle. The general's eyes were a deep brown that threatened to shake any normal man's confidence. His steel breastplate was a dull gray and marred from frequent battles. Aside from the breastplate he wore a black shirt, steel gauntlets, a pair of black pants with protective steel plates on the thighs. A broad sword was strapped to his left side.
Cole met the general's eyes coolly. "I have called this meeting to announce what this army's next steps will be."
"Ha!" barked Tiberius. "This army is not yours to command at will, Dragonmaster. The Stamarian Army is under my command."
"I beg to differ, sir," countered Cole. "Yes, you are the commander of the Stamarian forces, but that is all. The elves, Meribians, and mages of Vane follow me and after that their own commanders. After the battle last week, your men look to me for leadership. Therefore, they will follow me whether you like it or not." Cole thinned his eyes at the other man. "Now, you can cooperate with me, or else you can just go back and watch over the walls of Vincantus. It's your choice, General, but I would hate to lose an experienced commander such as yourself."
He could see Tiberius seething in his armor, but thankfully the general resumed his seat at the oval table. "Speak your mind then, Dragonmaster," he said coldly.
Cole nodded and proceeded to circle the table of gathered army officials. Aside from Tiberius there were other members of the Stamarian council, Reinalthus, Jorith, General Bireial, mages from Vane, and Leeta. "We have gained a moment of calm during this war," Cole stated. "To not take advantage of this would be foolish."
He continued pacing around the table in the great hall of Vane's Guild Mansion. "As you all know the Demon Dragonmaster's forces have retreated to the other continent, where their control is nearly absolute. Preliminary reports say that while Fummarra is a captured nation the ruling merchants are still at large with a small mercenary army. Tollssa and Pakkar are in ruins, so to expect help from them is useless."
General Tiberius exhaled. "You are not telling us anything new. These reports have been available for some time."
"You are right, General," agreed Cole. "What the reports do not say, however, is why the Demon Dragonmaster has retreated to the second continent." Cole quickly raised his hand. "And before you say it was because we beat them, don't. The battle we recently won was due simply to a bluff and luck. The Demon Dragonmaster left us alone for now because he has something more important to attend to."
Tiberius was on his feet again. "And what pray tell is that?"
Cole only smiled. "That is currently not your problem, General. What best for you to know is that my companions and I have determined what it is and how to go about getting it before the enemy."
"Fine," grumbled Tiberius with a scowl. "Then what is this grand plan of yours?"
"Simple." The Dragonmaster stopped behind Leeta's chair. "We force the Hades Army off of Lunar and back to the Blue Star."
Everyone except for Cole, Leeta, and the elves in the room started laughing. "You must be joking!" cried Tiberius. "Just how do you plan to do this incredible feat?"
Cole waited for the laughing to cease before explaining. "To challenge the Hades Army directly at this time is both foolish and impossible. We cannot match their numbers or even move our troops to face them. We have neither the man power nor the resources to invade the other continent."
"Again I ask for a clue to how this will all be accomplished?" asked Tiberius again, but seriously this time.
"First," Cole began while raising his right index finger, "we give them a reason not to stay on Lunar. A team consisting of myself and several others will infiltrate the enemy territories on the second continent and acquire what the Demon Dragonmaster seeks first."
Tiberius started clapping. "Excellent plan, my dear Dragonmaster. Steal what he wants and only succeed in angering the Demon Dragonmaster so that he turns his entire army on us. Brilliant plan."
Despite his urge to throttle the other man, Cole kept his face calm and even. "That is where you will come in, General. The second phase of this plan calls for you and the better part of Lunar's forces to go to the Blue Star and begin attacking the Hades Army at its heart. In doing so, you may just succeed in drawing enough of the enemy back to the Blue Star."
"And how is the army supposed to get to the Blue Star?" asked one of the Stamarian council members.
"The Red Dragon Ruby is handling that," replied Leeta. "She will be accompanying the army along with several others."
"Generals Tiberius and Bireial will be in command with the aid of the Sage Reinalthus," continued Cole. "Once on the Blue Star the army will make contact with two of the Dragon Knights who have gone ahead to pave the way for your invasion."
"You just lied," Leeta told him under her breath. "You have no idea where those two are."
"They don't know that," Cole answered quietly.
He coughed once before going on. "Aside from my team's task and the army's orders, there is once more thing I need from this council. For us to win this war in the end, we will need everything and anything to tip the balance in our favor. That being said, one of the Dragon Knights is currently finishing the designs for a new fleet of Dragonships like the Destiny. His plans are almost completed, but unfortunately he lacks the manpower and resources to even build one."
"What can we do about that?" asked one of Vane's representatives.
"Each person here is a representative of his or her respective party," Cole told them. "To build these new ships, I need all of you to give all the resources possible to help Connery. With everyone's help, I'm sure that he can construct these ships quickly."
"The Fairy Tribe gives what it can," announced Reinalthus.
"Meribia lends its aid," added a Meribian official.
"Vane will provide any help it can," said the mage from before.
All eyes turned to General Tiberius and the Stamarian officials. The General took in a deep breath before laying his gaze on Cole. "Stamaria will provide all necessary resources to help construct the new Dragonships."
Cole smiled and nodded at the other man. "Thank you, General. You will not regret this." He looked over the entire table. "Unless there are any other questions this meeting is adjourned."
Everyone rose from their seats to exit the room. Cole was helping Leeta out of her chair when Reinalthus walked over. "Well put, Cole. I do, however, have a question of my own."
"Thanks. What is it?" he replied while pushing the now empty chair back to the table.
Reinalthus shifted on his staff. "I didn't want to bring this up in front of the council for fear of creating too much doubt in your plan. What troubles me is how you will get the Demon Dragonmaster and his minions to leave Lunar, and then once they are gone how do you plan to keep them off?" He forced out a small chuckle. "If you succeed in getting a hold of the next Stone, he will hunt you down to the ends of the universe for it."
"Don't worry, Reinalthus," Cole assured. He reached out to pat the elf on the right shoulder. "It'll be close, but I've got a plan. All I need you to do is help Ruby work the teleporter at the Dragon Ruins."
The old elf loosed a genuine laugh. "Worry not about that, my boy. I understand the abilities of the teleporter. With me there we can teleport the army to any place on the Blue Star."
Cole retracted his arm with a nod. "Good. Ruby knows what to do, so go over everything with her." He looked away from Reinalthus to Leeta. "Could you go and tell Carmen and Fox to start getting ready? I need to go and speak with Connery before we leave."
She smiled warmly up at him. "Of course. I'll see you later." Her right hand brushed his arm as she left.
"I'm glad to see you complete once more, my friend," said Reinalthus after a moment. Cole looked back to see the old elf grinning. "Your two souls are shining brightly."
The Dragonmaster found it hard not to blush. "Is it that obvious?" Both men started laughing. "I have to go. I'll see you once more before I leave," Cole told him. He patted Reinalthus once more before walking off.
"Wrench!"
"Wrench."
Connery felt the wrench placed in his right hand. He pulled his arm back in and started tightening the bolts. Finished, he placed the tool down and extended his right arm again. "Crystals!"
"Crystals," repeated Itise. The thief felt several small crystals placed in his waiting hand.
Connery took the crystals and started inserting them in slots all around his latest creation. "Perfect!" He stood up and stepped back to observe his newest magic transfer engine. The thief and Itise were in his old Meribian lab. Piles of steel scraps, wires, weapons, and even a few small hills of money were scattered all over the one large room. Both of them were wearing grease stained white tunics and blue overalls.
"Connery?" asked Itise. "Is this thing really going to work?"
"Of course," replied the thief. "This isn't the first magic transfer engine I've made. This one is just smaller, but more powerful. I can reproduce this little baby in just a couple of days." He started rubbing his hands together. "All I have to do is connect one of these to a normal steam or coal engine, and it will give it the power of whatever magic is plugged in. Now all I need is to wait and see if I'll get the necessary resources."
"Which we did," came Cole's voice from behind. Connery and Itise turned around to see the Dragonmaster walking towards them. "The council has agreed to give you everything you need to build the new ships."
"Great!" cheered Connery. "Let me just make up the lists and instructions for the work teams, and I'll hurry and get ready for the trip to Fummarra." He started scrambling for ink and scrolls.
"Connery, wait," Cole interrupted. "You're not going."
The thief stopped. He looked back at Cole with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"
Cole gave him a half smile. "I'm sorry, buddy, but I need you here to oversee the construction. You're the only one who understands the designs and ideas, and we need these new ships as soon as possible."
The disappointment was evident on Connery's face. "But you're going right into the middle of the enemy army. You're going to need me!" He walked up to Cole shaking his hands. "Come on, Cole! Don't leave me behind!"
Cole sighed and folded his arms. "I'm not leaving you behind, Connery. I'm keeping you where you're needed the most right now. You have to understand that. Only with you here can I count on the ships being done on time."
"Damn," muttered the little thief. "I hate it when you make sense. Things are always easier when you act crazy." He ran his hands through his short, brown hair. "Fine. I'll stay."
"Good," said Cole with relief edging his tone. "How long do you think it will take to build five ships?"
Connery scratched the side of his head. "Well if I get everything in order within a week, I'd say a month maybe two."
Cole nodded officially. "Good. I'll be counting on you, Connery. I've got to meet with the others. I'll see you once more before we leave." The Dragonmaster turned to go.
The thief watched him for a second, when an idea suddenly popped into his mind. "Cole, wait!"
He stopped and looked back. "What?"
"I just had an idea!" he said quickly. "Since I'm not going with you, you'll be short one person for the mission." Cole nodded for him to continue. "I think you should take Itise."
"What!?" squeaked Itise. The young man grabbed the thief by his right arm. "Connery, what the hell are you saying?"
Cole stared at them for a moment. Finally, he gave them a small smile. "I think you've got a good idea, Connery. With our doubles running around on the other continent, it'll be a good idea to have a new face along. Okay, Itise, be at the front gate by sundown." He turned and left the lab without another word.
Itise spun a now grinning Connery around. "What did you do that for?"
The thief shrugged lightly. "Oh, come on, Itise. You don't need to be here. You should go out and contribute to the war effort." He removed his arm from his friend's grasp and returned to his work.
"But... but I'm not a fighter!" he protested. "What can I possibly do in the field?"
"Be yourself," he answered without turning around. "Follow your instincts, listen to Cole, and don't worry so much. You've gotten very good with the quarterstaff, so you'll be just fine."
"Yeah. Sure," he heard Itise mutter.
It was just moments before sundown. Those inhabiting Meribia were all preparing for evening meals or night watches. A select few, though, were gathering for a different reason. A small group was standing just outside the front gates of the city. Cole stood before them all wearing gray pants, a black tunic and cloak with the Goddess Sword strapped to his left side. Leeta stood just to his right outfitted with a brown leather breastplate, a black tunic underneath, black pants with her right leg encased in leather plate, a gray cloak, and a long sword strapped to her left side. Her mother's pendent also hung around her neck.
Fox and Carmen were readying the party's horses. Fox was dressed in loose all black garments and a chain shirt. His Crest hung on its gold chain around his neck, and the Dragon Bow was slung over his right shoulder.His wife was also dressed in all black except she was in a battle dress and cloak. No visible weapon could be seen on her person with the exception of a silver medallion of Lunar around her neck. The two of them were quickly securing the last of the group's equipment and supplies.
Lorene was equipped, with loud protests, in all black as well. She wore a cloak over a sleeveless tunic with leather plates over her pants, her Crest hung around her neck, and the Dragon Claws secured at her sides. Vaul was perched on her right shoulder assuring her that the black didn't look bad on her. Reinalthus and Jorith also stood there speaking with them. Connery stood a few feet away speaking with Itise, who was also dressed in all black sporting a black trench coat over his pants and tunic.
Cole looked to the horizon to see the sun just sink out of sight. "We can't wait for Nall and Ruby. Time to go."
"Just hold on," came Ruby's voice from within the gate. She, Nall, and Alex walked out with Alleia and Narin trailing them. "We're here."
"All right then," said Cole. "This is the last time we'll all see each other for a while. Does anyone have any questions about what they have to do?"
Each of those gathered shook their head. "Don't worry about the rest of us, Cole," Alex told him. "We'll handle things on this end. You guys need to focus on your mission."
"I want to know if you can handle what you plan on doing?" added Ruby. "Are you sure you can do it when the time comes?"
Cole smiled confidently at her. "Trust me. Besides," he said with a look at Leeta, "I'll have help if I need it." He reached beneath his cloak and pulled out a leather pouch. Inside were the Time Runes and the Red Resurrection Stone.
"Do you think you can find the next stone first?" asked Nall.
"We have a couple of things we'll try," answered Leeta. "Hopefully its still around to be found."
Cole tied the pouch to his belt and pulled out the Dragon Wings. "Once I transport us, the Demon Dragonmaster will know we're nearby. With his focus on us, that should allow you to move the army without any problems." He looked Ruby in the eyes. "When you get to the Blue Star, you have to find Mirage and Argile. My guess is that they've already got something in motion up there, otherwise we'd have the entire Hades Army down here."
"Like Alex said, don't worry about it," repeated Nall. "We'll have everything under control."
Cole nodded again. Those going on the mission to Fummarra gathered close around him. "Good luck," he said as yellow swirls of magic surrounded them all. In the blink of an eye, the group was gone.