Chapter 9

The forces of the coalition made sure to keep an eye out for any demons while Volondove recovered from his mental strain. His head was throbbing with pain as he could feel his pulse all through out his skull. His nose had stopped bleeding for now, but it would start back up again every couple of hours. His Sence of hearing was also temporarily heightened as he could hear everything that was going on in the rest of the academy below. He dare not leave his bed untill he regained his strength. He was barely even able to walk on his own with the sharp head pains.

As he lay in bed he thought about what he saw in his vision. He thought about the demon lord Malanar and what little he could see of him, or what little he could remember of him as the image has kind of faded from his memory as time passed.

He thought about the human with whom he saw the demon through. He thought about what has become of humanity and what is happening to what is left of it. He thought about how many humans were still alive and of the host of human refugees with the demon lord and what Malanar is doing with them.

While he was resting and meditating the elves took it upon themselves to fortify the academy. The entire host was becoming paranoid of a sudden demon attack. The amount of silence in the once great human stronghold made the coalition uneasy and jumpy.

They had one team up on the dome roof to serve as look outs. A couple dozen archers stood guard along the edge of the dome keeping an eye on the horizon and among the borders of the city. The rest of the elves were securing the main floor. Covering windows and boarding up any exits and entrances.

"How goes the defence commander?" Lamir asked an elf in full armor.

"Everything has been blocked up as you instructed." The elf leader answered.

"Everything a child could possibly fit through has been boarded up, and being watched constantly by our most alert warriors and scouts."

"Very good." Lamir said taking a seat on a stone bench. "Then all there is to do now is wait."

The elf commander sat down next to the wizard as they continued to chat.

It was a bit awkward at first as neither of the two knew what to say. But the commander eventually started up the conversation again.

"Lovely weather we're having isn't it?" He said suddenly.

"Perhaps to some." Lamir replied. Personally I never understood how one could appreciate these gloomy skies and dry earth. Though perhaps you elves think differently."

The elf commander didn't really care about the weather much, but it was a start for a conversation. There wasn't much else to do while they waited for Volondove to regain his strength.

"So do you really think he can do it?" The elf asked. "Do you really think he is the one that will save Lamenreal?"

"The war is still young. Nothing is for certain young elf." Lamir replied. "If you remember, not even the first Eam could stop them all. He fell at the battle of the Calnan Isles. But this boy has much potential. He has mastered levels of magic that would take others many years to achive. If anyone can end this horror show it is him."

"And if he doesn't?" The elf asked looking back at the wizard.

"Then may Neth have mercy on all of us." Lamir answered boldly.

"So I take the demons are going to come after him soon then." The elf said. "If he is the second Eam, he would be the demons greatest enemy no dought. I mean with how much trouble the first Eam caused them they would surely want to snuff him out soon right?"

"Indeed he is." Lamir said. "It would be wise for them to destroy him while he is still inexperienced. Though an attack may not be their best interest."

"I can kind of see why." The elf said.

"I wouldn't want to pick a fight with the most powerful man in the world. Eam or not. But why would they refrain from attacking him? If he is not yet at his peek."

"Because the four demon lords are well aware of what the Eam is capable of." Lamir answered. "I know you weren't there during the black wars like I was. but the demons all fled when they heard the Eam was coming. Both great and small."

"But what about now?" The elf asked.

"The new Eam is just a shadow of his past self. Do you think the demons would try to take him out now while he is still vulnerable?"

"One would consider the thought, yes. But a better question to ask would be, do they know there is a second Eam?" Lamir asked rhetorically. "And if I may be so bold as to play devil's advocate here, but if I were a demon, I would feel pretty confident about this whole thing."

"What do you mean?" The elf asked with concern.

"Well I don't mean to scare you, but if you think like a demon would for a moment you would see where they might think they have the upper hand. Think about it, The first Eam was killed long ago, and his life essence keeping them in the underworld has burned out. From their perspective their greatest enemy is gone. it would seem that they have already won before it even started."

"Wait, so they don't know that Volondove is the new Eam?" The elf asked.

"I don't think they do." Lamir said. "Nor do I think they know there is a second Eam at all. But even if they did, I highly dought they would try anything to stop him. Seeing how his power has been reduced into a fraction of that of the first Eam. If they were to encounter him they must see him as nothing less than another mortal sorcerer. Never the less, we must remain vigilant. He is still the most powerful being in all of Lamenreal. If he falls we all fall."

Suddenly, the sound of an mam moaning in pain filled the chamber room. Lamir looked to his right where the sound was coming from. Lamir was both relieved and concerned as he noticed Volondove was on his feet again. He was still looking pretty rough.

His face was still a bit pale, and he had a little trouble walking straight as his head was spinning. He was stumbling like a drunkard as he made his way around the corner and into the foyer.

"Volondove! What are you doing up so soon" Lamir asked with concern as he rushed to greet him. "My boy you must take it easy! You can't lead the coalition after your mind stretch." Volondove took a couple deep breaths before speaking

"I can walk, I can lead." He said boldly

Lamir nodded his head in disagreement. "Oh Volondove, you are in no condition to lead, let alone stand up on your own." He said as he grabbed Volondove by the shoulders.

"The demons never rest and neither should we." Volondove replied with a slight droop in his one eye. He looked like he could collapse from exhaustion at any moment. As if he had spent a whole month without a wink of rest.

"But look at you. You're as pale as a goblin newborn!" Lamir said as he inspected his face.

"I said I am fine!" Volondove snapped suddenly swiping Lamir's hands away like flies. Lamir jumped back a bit in response to the sudden outburst.

"I'm sorry Lamir. I just have a lot on my mind right now." Volondove said grasping his forehead.

"It's alright boy." Lamir replied softly. He tested his hand on his shoulder again. "You have a great burden on you, and some big boots to fill. Are you sure you are up for a demon hunt yet? Are you sure you are well enough to make the trip to the west?"

"The demons are moving at speeds never seen before." Volondove said resting against the stone wall.

"If we don't catch this demon lord now we may never find him again. He has taken out the alliance. He has taken out the commune. If we don't catch him here who knows what he will do next."

Lamir was hesitant on this plan. Volondove was in no clear condition for battle. But he did make a good point. Time was against them. They needed to move swiftly and decisively. "Well, alright then. Just promise me you will take it easy while you recover from stretching your mind." Lamir said.

"Alright, I promise." Volondove said with his eye still drooping. "We should assemble the elves and prepare for departure immediately." He said as he sat down on the concrete floor. He held his hands about one foot apart from each other and began to conjure something.

"What are you doing now?" Lamir asked kneeling down.

"The demon we seek is hiding within the white mountains in the west." Volondove replied finishing the spell. A wool coat was now stretched out across his legs.

"We are going to need proper winter gear." He said as he started work on a wool hat.

"My boy you are not yourself." Lamir said grabbing his hands interrupting his conjuration. Volondove looked up at him in frustration as the hat fell to the ground half complete.

"Don't worry about winter gear." Lamir said gently.

"The wood elves are masters of the elements. They will be able to keep warm without proper supplies. And they can protect you from the harsh terrain too."

Volondove sighed in frustration. "Alright, fine, but we still need more provisions for the trip. These elves eat bread like it's air." He said irritated. He reformed his hands and began to form a loaf of bread.

Lamir then stood back up and slowly with nothing more to say and walked away.

"Is he going to be alright?" The elven commander asked.

"He will, in time." Lamir replied. He looked back at Volondove for a moment. "He needs some time to himself for now. He has a lot of responsibility on him at the moment. In the mean time, I want you to rally up the people together. Tell any elementalists to prepare for mountain travel, and everyone else to be ready to leave in an hours notice."

"Yes master staff bearer." The commander replied with a salute.

In about forty minutes the entire elven coalition was assembled in the foyer. Volondove and Lamir had Thier wool clothes on in preparation for the harsh mountain terrain.

"This is it. Your fist demon encounter. Are you ready for this boy" Lamir asked turning to face him.

"I'm as ready as I will ever be." Volondove replied. He was still a bit tired from the mental strain. As if he had awoken from a deep sleep.

"Elementalists! Prepare your spells!" He cried out into the ranks of the crowd. As he gave the command About twenty plus elves of different ages stepped forward and began to cast a spell. Snow flakes and ambers began to form around thier hands. The magic flew with a warm orange as the magic formed around their hands. From the distance from where Lamir and Volondove where the room was lighting up with the flares of magic. Thier hands shone like torches in the night.

Then suddenly all at once the elven mages thrust their spells into the air like signal flares, And with a flare of ice and fire, a protective shield was formed around the five army groups. Shards of frost and fire fluttered from the academy ceiling and vanished into thin air as they fell to the ground.

Volondove looked at Lamir who was already looking back at him in encouragement.

"Alright men let's go catch a demon!" Volondove cried in motivation.

Volondove then turned around and began to create a portal to the white mountain range to the west. Wind and snow began to blow into the academy foyer as the portal opened up. Volondove was set back for a moment as the flurry of frost hit against his face. But the portal was open and ready for the army to march.

A few elves walked up to the portal and stepped through the other side. They had nothing but traditional elven tunics and what ever armor Volondove had made for them.

Volondove had ordered a handful of elves to see if the spell would work prior to this event. And now was the moment of truth

"The spell works!" One of them called back through the portal trying to be heard from the howling winds of the great western mountains.

"It feels lovely out here! It's like a spring walk out here!" Volondove then turned back towards the rest of the army after hearing this.

"Well what are you all waiting for?" He said. "Let's go!"

The elves then marched into the portal and walked into the fierce winds of the white mountains. Snow and wind and frost bombarded the elven militia. But the entire army was warmed up by the wind as the spell protected them from the harsh environment.

Volondove's head began to hurt again as the portal was losing stability. He began to sweat and cringe in pain as he struggled to keep the portal up for his army.

Lamir watched as he struggled to hold the portal together. He wanted to ease his suffering more than anything. But there was nothing he could do about his mental strain or the portal.

He stood there by Volondove's side eager to get the elves out of the academy so Volondove could take a break. He did his best to usher the elven people through the portal as fast as possible. Even going as far as to shove some of them through.

When the elves finally passed through the portal, Lamir grabbed Volondove by the shoulder and threw him through the portal right before it closed, Trapping the coalition in the snowy dunes of the white mountains.

Volondove was kneeling down as he cought his breath and took control of his splitting head ache. His nose was bleeding again. But it stopped soon with the cold freezing what fluids came out of him.

"Volondove you have got to take it easy." Lamir said holding his shoulder.

"You are going to seriously hurt yourself."

"I'll be alright." Volondove said grabbing Lamir's hand on his shoulder.

"I will be fine in a while." He said getting back up to his feet.

Lamir became concerned for Volondove. He knew that he was a man of duty and would stop at nothing to get the job done. But if he didn't slow down a bit he might do something drastically dangerous or worse. But he dare not try to pull him back. Lest his anger turn against him and the coalition fall apart.

"Alright everybody listen up!" Volondove called out to the army. "We are here to take back Gilavan's staff fragment from the demon lord Malanar. Stay on guard, he may have hostages, demon minions, or brainwashed humans with him. So be prepared for the worst."

"But where are we going from here?" The commander asked from the crowd.

"Yes, which way do we go?" Another elf asked.

Volondove looked around the area. This was the exact spot where he saw the demon lord. He tapped into his memory to see where it could have gone.

"We will start that way! To the north west!" He said pointing out to a mountain behind the crowd.

The elves began to talk to each other as they heard the instructions. Suddenly, someone spoke up.

"Hey guys, the Eam was right. Take a look at this." And elderly elf woman said pointing down at the snow. A group of elves hovered over her to see what she had found. There on the snowy ground was what looked to be a large footprint the size of a small breastplate. Three toes on front and an extra toe just behind the heel. They were leading up the mountain side and along the rim of the rocky monument.

Volondove rushed over to see the foot prints, hastily shoving his way through the crowd to get to it. He saw them leading up to the mountains and gained confidence in his quest.

"Then that is where we shall go." He said pointing up at the mountain.

"Keep your wits about. The demon lord could be just on the other side. Who knows what kind of creatures he has with him."

Lamir was concerned with what Volondove was doing. He had much experience with demonic encounters in his time. Malanar had the smallest forces in terms of numbers. But demon lords are never alone. Malanar may still have legions of hellish beasts at his disposal. And who knows how many mortal followers were at his side too. Who knows how many are with Malanar.
Was Volondove willing to lead his young coalition into battle with a throng of demons so soon?

Regardless, the elven army trudged through the snow as they made thier way up the mountain. The wind blasted thier flanks and snow pressed against their feet. Nevertheless, the people were warm and ready for the worst nature could throw at them.

When they reached the other side, they couldn't believe what they saw. There were six or seven mountains all lined up in a ring around the area. There was a snowy valley in the middle of this mountain ring about as large as an entire city. But what really blew them away was the structure that lay on the edge of the valley.

Build into the mountain on the opposite side of the valley was what looked to be some kind of temple with dozens of stone pillars holding the roof up. It was a bit hard to see from the blizzard they were traveling through. But both Lamir and Volondove were able to see it. Along with the elves leading the way. And they all knew what this was. There was only one race with a history of constructing temples with this form of architecture. This was the remnant of a Tistive temple.

Volondove turned to Lamir to decide whether or not they should investigate. But Lamir had his eyes shut. Volondove was confused why he wasn't looking at the ruins.

"Lamir, what's going on?" He asked. "Is there something in your eyes or something?"

"I Sence a powerful presence nearby." He said still keeping his eyes closed.

"I Sence the presence of something ancient. Something I have not felt in over a thousand years. Malanar is close... Very close..."

The crowd went silent as they heard this. Or at least the ones that could hear what Lamir said through the bellowing snow storm. But the word quickly spread to the rest of the coalition as elves up front informed the ones behind them of Lamir's discovery.

"He is in the ruins." Lamir said pointing down into the valley. Volondove's heart dropped for a second. He was so close to a demon lord And knew where he was. One of the most powerful members of the demon ranks. Just a valley away.

Collecting his courage Volondove then turned around to give new orders.

"Listen up." He called out. He wasn't concerned about Malanar hearing him. The howling winds of the blizzard was muffling his voice enough to not be heard from long distances. He could tell as loud as he wanted and still keep his position secret.

"This is the moment of truth men. We will search the monument down there. Keep to the winds as to stay hidden. We don't want to blow our cover until we know the demon lord is alone. No one is to separate for any reason unless directed to do so by either Lamir or I. We may be out numbered a thousand to one. So stay together, stay silent, and wait til I give the signal to attack. Under no circumstances are you to engage the demon lord alone. If you see the silver tongue, you are to report back to us right away."

Having said this the army began to march down into the valley. They got to the edges of the temple and began hiding in the snowy landscape. There were massive snow banks all across the valley making it easier to hide from the demons, but harder to navigate on foot. Lamir and Volondove stepped inside the temple, making sure to keep to the shadows. Volondove signalled to the others to stay behind untill ordered to enter. He had decided that he and Lamir would enter the ruins alone while the army waited outside under the cover of the snow banks.

They stood near the edge of the structure, hiding behind some of the pillars as they moved deeper into the temple. They didn't get very far inside when they heard something coming thier way. The sound of screaming and demonic howling filled thier ears.

They jumped back as they assumed that Malanar had found them. But their worries we're soon soothed some what when they saw a human coming thier way.

Or rather flying their way. As the man was coming at a stone pillar head first as if he was thrown at it. He cried in pain as his head hit the pillar Volondove was hiding behind.

He fell to the ground, and faced into the temples depths as he tried to quickly recover from being slammed into stone in the bitter cold. Volondove then peaked around the pillar to get a better look at the man. He was then frightened to see who he was. It was the human prince. The same person he saw in his vision. Was now lying on the cold hard stone floor. Moaning in pain with his head bleeding from the impact, and his arm slashed open badly. He couldn't get a good view of his arm. But he could tell that the wound was clearly infected and has been for a while.

In just a few seconds, the demon lord came forward to confront the young prince in person. A figure tall as a minotaur emerged from the darkness, large and broad in stature. The colossal humanoid also had two long horns twisting out of it's head with a third shorter one coming from the center of it's head. His body covered head to toe in red and black scales. And two bat like wings each the size of a large kite shield stretched out from it's back. And the aura that surrounded the hellish being made Volondove feel uneasy to his stomach.

And there in his right hand was the staff fragment of the blue wizard. "He still had it" Volondove thought. "Thank the gods he still has it."

But then another thought popped into his mind. Why hasn't Malanar destroyed it yet? Not only would it's destruction hinder his quest to reclaim his god given powers, but The demons are incapable of using the power withing the staff fragments, nor would they need to seeing that they created the dark art of blood magic. So why would he still have it? What was he saving it for?

"You have served our purpose well boy." Malanar said to the human prince. "But your usefulness is at an end."he said as he drew closer and closer to the wounded royal.

Lamir turned to face Volondove who then looked back at him. Lamir signalled to his staff indicating that now was the time to attack.

Volondove gave Lamir a confident smirk as he knew what to do at that moment. The two of them turned to face the demon lord from behind the pillars, and began casting the spell. Volondove began to concentrate on his spiritual separation spell harder than ever. He wanted to make this spiritual attack would be the most powerful he had ever done before.

In just a second, two beams of golden light sprawled out from their staffs, and struck the demon lord square in the chest. Malanar let out a blood curdling cry of pain as the light burned his scales with ease.

As his skin burned in the holy light, Malanar had accidentally thrown Gilavan's staff fragment onto the stoney ground. It rolled across the floor until it rested at Volondove's feet. Not hesitating, Volondove picked up the staff fragment and kept it in his left hand.

Malanar rubbed his eyes as the effects of the light attack wore off. When he recovered, he could see Lamir standing in plain sight now.

"Lamir the White." He growled. "I should have known you were behind this petty attack." He taunted.

"Your words have no affect on me demon!" Lamir cried out. "I have been trained to resist your silver tongue. I was immune to your charms in ages passed, and I shall resist them again."

"That may be true. You have the will of solid steel. But is your apprentice of the same metal?" He said looking in Volondove's direction. Lamir looked at Volondove in horror as he realized what he was planning to do.

"You are the alledged successor of the Eam?" He asked taking a step forward. "You are nothing more than a mere sorcerer."

"Don't listen to him my boy." Lamir said. "You have more power than any demon lord!"

"Not yet you don't." Malanar said.

"You have only fragments of the elder staff, and little to no knowledge in the magical arts. you are no match for me."

"You are right. A demon lord has the strength of a hundred men..." Volondove said with a defeated expression. Lamir stared at Volondove in surprise and horror.

"It is a good thing we brought three hundred men." Volondove said looking back up at the demon with confedence.

At that moment the elven army flooded into the temple and surrounded Malanar in a matter of a minute.

"You are out numbered and out matched great demon." Volondove threatened. "It would be wise of you to surrender peacefully while you still can." He said as he pointed his staff in Malanar's direction threatening him with another light attack.

In response, Malanar began to laugh at the proposition. His laughter grew louder and louder as it echoed through out the temple. It was an unnerving sound he made as he howled in laughter. The elves around him became uneasy as if they were put under some kind of spell. It was as if his tongue alone was enchanted with mood changing properties.

"Oh you poor fools. Do you really think you have the advantage here?" Malanar said turning the situation around in his favor.

"Is this the incarnation of the mighty Eam? The one to lead the free people's of Lamenreal like that of the first Eam? Look around you boy. Is this all you could muster together? A band of peasant commoners with no combat experience? A rag tag group of refugees? What happened to your grand legions from ages past?"

Volondove now understood what Lamir was talking about Malanar being a silver tongue. He felt his heart sink deeper in to his chest as the mighty demon spoke to him. It was as if his speech alone was wrapping him up like a constrictor serpent. Every word he spoke made Volondove feel more and more engulfed in darkness and dought.

"For a thousand years I have endured the horrors of hell. I have been through the fires of war and hell all my life. I have faced legions of professional armies. Tens of thousands of mortal men fell to my hand.I am a prince of death! And who are you supposed to be? Do you really think you can fill the boots of Vexellion? The first Eam had hundreds of thousands of followers of all kinds of people at his disposal. He had powers the likes of which you mortals could only dream of having. And then there is you."

Volondove suddenly felt dead inside as Malanar targeted him specifically.

"Who are you?"Malanar asked as he slowly walked around Volondove. Who do you think you are to Threaten a veteran demon lord like me with just a couple hundred weaklings? you must be feeling pretty confident in your rag tag army to challenge me directly boy." He said with a Sence of sarcasm.

"Don't listen to him Volondove!" Lamir cried out. "Don't let his words take you by the heart." He said as he stared at Volondove.

"Oh Lamir you foolish old man." Malanar chimed in. "As a fellow teacher I thought you would understand. Why be so hasty to block the wisdom of an ancient being?" He asked rhetorically. "There is much you can learn from what one can say. For example, do you happen to know how many demon lords now walk among you? Do you have any idea how long we have been among you mortals?"

"Do not tempt me demon!" Lamir yelled In anger. "I will not be swayed by your charms!"

"Perhaps not, but your underlying is crealy more pliable to my wisdom." Malanar said looking at Volondove. Volondove was horrified by the sight of the demon lord looking him in the eye. His eyes were like that of a bottomless pit who's stare can pierce clean through the soul.

"Don't you realize that your efforts are in vein? Varamath is mine. Celemore will fall to Gilgamien. The people of Isakal are still living in the stone age. They won't put up much resistance when Valemier arrives. Gilgamein and I have been here for weeks. But I bet you didn't even know that Mogroth has been here for months. before you Ever met Lamir as a matter of fact. Did you?"

Volondove was speechless at this. How could this be? The barrier has been broken before Lamir ever met him? How long has Mogroth been here then? And what has he been doing this whole time? How has no one noticed him? Where even was he?

But as he heard all of this, he realized that Malanar was right. The majority of fighting forces in the world have already circum to the demons attacks, or are still unprepared for the inevitable. There are very little people who would still be willing to fight left. And any who would fight would be greatly outmatched. Any form of coalition he could muster would just be a shadow of it's former glory.

"Enjoy this victory 'all powerful Eam" Malanar taunted with a little bow. "It will only go down hill from here. Just you wait."

Having made his point Malanar bent his leg as he leaned forward slightly. And with a spring in his step he leaped towards the elves blocking the exit. The elves were helpless to stop the demon lord from breaking their formation by force and making his escape. Ten to twelve elves were knocked over as Malanar steam rolled through them.

But instead of engaging the mediocre fighting forces, Malanar took off into the blizzard, leaving the coalition alone in the ancient ruins. With each leap he flew through the sky like nothing they have seen before.

As soon as demon lord was out of sight Lamir rushed over to the elves that stood in his way to make sure they were all safe. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. Just a bit shaken up at the most.

But despite Lamir's warning Volondove took what Malanar said to heart. Not intentionally of course but he could shake the sweet words from his mind. Could the demon lord be right? Was all this struggle and effort worth it? Perhaps this was for nothing. He made a good point, The only chance he had would be to rally the entire world into his coalition. There was no way he could rally the entire world to his side before the demons got to them. Seeing that most of them have already fallen to their first waves.

His thought were abruptly interrupted when two elves came up to him. "Mister Eam sir. We found this human among the ruins." One of them said as he held the humans arm. The elves had captured the prince before he could make his escape. They then threw him onto the ground in front of them as if he were a common prisoner.

The young man fell to the ground. His head was bleeding from being thrown against a stone pillar. On his right arm was a grizzly sight to behold. His wrist had been slashed and scared what looked to be multiple times, and all in the same spot as if he was blood letted. The wound stretched all up his arm and was half frozen from the harsh weather. His royal clothes were torn at the arm seem making his wound visible to all.

The scar was purple from being opened and closed so many times. The flesh around it had turned green from infection. A wound like this should have killed him. But yet there he stood. Still alive and more in tune to his cracked head than he was with the missing flesh on his arm.

"What should we do with him?" The other elf asked. Volondove drove his attention back from the horrific yet mesmerizing colors of the young man's scar.

"First let's see what he has been doing all this time." Volondove said. He took a step closer to the man and placed his hand up on his forehead. In a matter of seconds bright blue mana bagan to flow from his fingertips and insert itself into the head of the prince.

Lamir instantly became worried. He knew very well what Volondove was trying to do. Blue mana is the effect of mind magic. Volondove was trying to see into his mind again to see his past.

Thinking fast Lamir grabbed him by the shoulder and threw him away from the prince. Volondove staggered for a moment as his nose began to bleed again. But not as bad this time as the winter cold froze the blood that came out of him.

"Volondove what are you doing?" Lamir asked in concern. "You weren't trying to use mind magic again were you? Please tell me you weren't."

"I was. And I did." Volondove replied getting back up to his feet. "I saw everything. Malanar had used this man as his puppet for his conquest of Varamath. This man is responsible for the fall of the alliance and the elven commune."

Everyone looked at each other as he said this. This human upstart is responsible for all the chaos and death that had been plaguing Varamath all this time? He is the one who slain arch mage Gilavan? He was the one who took down the walls of Thelendor?

"There is but one option left." Volondove said. "This man is to be banished to the islands of dread." He said as he pointed Zangar's staff at the young prince.

Everyone became silent at this sudden decision. No one has been to the isles of dread in centuries. That little rock in the middle of nowhere has been given a sinister reputation as a prison for the worst of the worst people. In all of the history of the world only a couple of people have ever set foot on that island. And those who did never returned.

Lamir's eyes widened at this decision. But he remained silent for now. There was too much for him to unravel at this decision for him to confront immediately.

With the spin of his hand Volondove conjured a portal to the forsaken Island of Dread. The portal opened just a few feet above the surface of the island. The island was so small that the prince could see the entire island from where he stood. There was nothing but rocks and a small patch of grass that made up the island. The ocean waves were beating upon the edges of the rock with several barrages of sea water like a ram at a castle gate.

"Prince Ivan of the nation of Kallious." Volondove said in a stern voice. "For your crimes against the world, and for doing the bidding of a demon lord. You are here by banished to the Isle of Dread for the rest of your days!"

Having said that he rest his foot against Ivan's chest, and gave him a shove through the portal. He fell backwards as he hurled towards the small island before landing with a thump. Having one last look at the prince Volondove then closed the portal leaving the injured young man all alone in the middle of the ocean.

Volondove then looked around him. Everyone was in shock at this sudden rash action. Banishment to the Isle of Dread was nothing to be taken lightly. And here he was throwing a human survivor into the sea like it was nothing.

"Fan out! Scour the ruins!" Volondove commanded. "Search for any Tistive artifacts or anything that we could use in our quest!" The elves began to scatter as he finished his orders.

The elf commander came up behind Lamir. "The Isle of Dread." He said. "I never thought anyone could be sent there again. Not in this life time." He said as he turned to face the silver wizard.

But Lamir's face was frozen in thought. He held his hand up to his face and wrapped it round his long white beard.

"You know something about that place don't you?" The commander asked. "There is something else hidden on that island isn't there?"

"No it's not the island. It's the banishment." Lamir replied. "In all my years of experience there was only one person in all of existence who knew the location of the Island of Dread. But that man has been long gone. How did Volondove, with very little training in his magics, come to know one of the first Eam's greatest secrets?"