Garadaine spent the majority of the morning retelling his experiences over the past few weeks.  About exploring the woods deep within Yalmar, finding the temple and the Juvenile Dragon, Wild Elves, Shadow Walkers, and the return of Ethelred to Ikros.  He had stopped short, however, of explaining what he had seen of Arcklice and the Griffon the night before.  His audience was dumbstruck, totally captivated by his story.  Even the cook and waiters bringing in the morning meal had stopped and listened until he had finished.
    “So what is your plan now?” Drakon stared at the prince, his eyes studying him carefully.
    “I am not entirely sure,” Garadaine chuckled.  “I would just assume go after and hunt down the Orcs that kidnapped Master Greylen.  But even with a battalion at my side I’m not sure I could get passed that Orc Shaman’s magic.”
    “Aye,” Kullvox grimaced, “And I’m afraid that still very little of our soldiers trust you.  You’ll have a lot of work ahead of you to win them over.”  Drakon added a slow nod in agreement.
    A waiter quickly placed a hot plate of eggs in front of the Prince, who immediately began devouring them.  Alyia watched her son with a proud smile, obviously glad to have him home in spite of his less than stellar table manners.
    “I’m not even sure where I would begin looking for these Orcs,” Garadaine said between mouthfuls.     “If only we knew where they were after…” Drakon mused.
    “Garadaine…” Kullvox asked slowly.
    “Yes Sir?”
    “I was wondering if I could… uhh…” Kullvox was obviously after something, though it seemed he was a little too embarrassed to ask.
    “What is it?” Alyia prodded.
    “Well, I was wondering if I could borrow your sword, there, my Prince.”
    “My sword?” Garadaine looked up from his food, swallowing.
    “Well, you know,” Kullvox looked around, “to kill one of those… Shadow… things… that might be hanging around me.”
    “Of course!” Garadaine smiled, motioning over to where his sword lay in the corner of the room.     “Drakon, you better go with him,” Alyia directed, “you might have one following you, too.”
    “Good point,” Drakon said, whipping around, looking around him.
    “Just… please,” Alyia sighed, “go outside to do it.  I never want to see another one of those awful things again.”
    “Of course,” Kullvox said, bowing slightly.  He and Drakon quickly retrieved the Prince’s sword and hurried outside.  Masark chuckled and slowly followed them out the door.
    “I’m not sure if I want to miss this,” Masark chuckled, “two grown men waving a sword wildly around themselves.  It will be like watching Gartgnar after an hour in the pub… just without the alcohol.  Pity.”
    “Who knows, you may learn something about the Shadow Walkers if they kill one,” Garadaine added.  Masark nodded and left the Prince and his mother alone in the great hall.