"Where the hell are they? They should have been back by now," Hamilton mumbled to himself as he paced back and forth across the room.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. Hamilton walked over and opened it to find one of his servants standing with a grim look on his face.

"What is it, Gram?" Hamilton asked.

"It's Captain Chase, Sir. He has returned. I'm afraid there's been some sort of accident. They are in the infirmary," Gram answered.

Having heard Gram's report, Hamilton rushed past him and ran to the infirmary.

Upon entering the infirmary, Hamilton quickly realized the dire nature of the situation. His personal doctor and four nurses were huddled over a man lying on one of the medical beds. Everyone was moving and speaking quickly.

"Doc, is he going to be ok?!" Hamilton asked.

"I'm not sure, Sir," the doctor replied hastily.

"What happened? Can someone tell me what the hell happened?!" Hamilton shouted.

"I know you are concerned, Sir, but please allow us to do our job. We'll do the best we can," one of the nurses replied.

"Chase, my friend...I'm sorry," Hamilton said sadly.

"What are you sorry for?" came a voice from behind Hamilton, startling him.

Hamilton turned to see Chase standing in the doorway.

"Chase?! You're ok. Oh, thank goodness! I thought..." Hamilton stopped mid-sentence to embrace his friend.

"Careful, Sir. I may be walking, but I'm not in the best shape either," Chase said gingerly.

"Ah, you're injured. Is it bad? Here, let me help you," Hamilton offered.

"I think I may have a broken rib," Chase noted as he pointed to his left side.

"What happened? Surely those scoundrels couldn't have done this?" Hamilton inquired.

"They didn't. It was a gigas. We had caught up to the caravan and were about to engage them in battle when it came out of the forest. We were caught off guard. Those four caravaners escaped while the gigas tore our men to shreds. Brad and I were the only ones to survive...although it looks like he may not make it. I'm sorry to have failed you, Sir," Chase said.

"A gigas...hmmm...those damned monsters are increasingly becoming a nuisance. I'm just glad you made it back safely, Chase. Don't worry about the caravaners. We'll take care of them later," Hamilton replied.

As Hamilton helped Chase over to an empty bed, Gram entered and stood near the door.

"Sir, General Van Feldt requests your presence immediately," Gram stated.

"Richter?" Hamilton asked, quickly turning to Gram.

"Yes, Sir. He awaits you in the guest room. He appears to be in a hurry," Gram returned.

Hamilton turned back to Chase and nodded before quickly leaving the room.

Hamilton entered the guest room to find Richter staring up at the broken skylight.

"I see you've spotted the broken skylight. We had a bit of a mishap. Someone from our past has unexpectedly returned to haunt us," Hamilton said jokingly.

"From our past?" Richter asked.

"You're not going to believe it, but apparently Mark is still alive. We had captured him, but then three friends of his broke in and helped him escape. I sent a patrol after them, but they were attacked by a gigas. I lost all but two of my men," Hamilton related.

"Yes, I know. I received a report that one of our military units was attacked while patrolling the Folton's Dale myrrh tree. Only one member of our unit survived. Hamilton, this news of Mark disturbs me. Make sure you take care of him once and for all," Richter said sternly.

"I'm just as surprised as you are, Richter. Don't worry. I'll see to it personally this time," Hamilton replied.

"We don't need any additional baggage that might hinder our plans. In one week, Torenada City military units will replace the myrrh patrols and Titan Corporation's myrrh gathering services will commence. Only the Southern Forest myrrh tree is left to control," Richter shared.

"I thought the Jorgian Mountains myrrh tree was also unguarded?" Hamilton asked.

"A military unit is preparing to head there as we speak. Don't interrupt me, Hamilton," Richter chided. "Neil Senna and his team have been making announcements to the various towns. The myrrh extraction process is nearly perfected...just another week or so. I want you to come to Torenada at the end of the week for our official announcement ceremony. I will have a surprise for you...a bit of a reward for all the help you've provided."

"I'll be there, Richter," Hamilton said.

"Good. Now I must be on my way," Richter said as he turned and walked out the door. "And, Hamilton...no loose ends..."

Now alone in the room, Hamilton took another look at the broken skylight, sighed, and then flopped down onto the sofa and put his head in his hands.