"Hail Garalt!" a voice came from behind.  Garalt turned to see King Ulmerad and his entourage riding up to him.  At the King's side, as always, was the dark lord Daravon, along with Sir Haleron.  Behind them were Sir Villious, and to Garalt's surprise, Sir Hillsbrad and Golan, the last surviving Jackals.  
    "My Liege, it is good to see you again," Garalt saluted.
    "Aye, we had begun to wonder if you were ever coming back," Ulmerad said.
    "We learned much on our quest, Sire.  One thing in particular is of the utmost importance."
    "Which is?" the aged, grizzled voice of Daravon asked.
    "The Council is not our enemy!"
    "What"? Sir Haleron retorted.
    "The Council's main goal is to stop Tel'Karak Zrahl, and they've been at it for a long time.  They're under the impression that Ikros set her free!"
    "What?  Are you serious?" Ulmerad gasped.
    "Ethelred was never our enemy, we only thought that because he was a necromancer.  He was only ever sending out his undead followers to scout the land for the dragon, not to raid our villages.  We've got to stop this war before it destroys us all!"
    "I'm afraid it's not so simple, Garalt," Ulmerad sighed, "Our capitol has been destroyed.  We've only our lives to fight for.  All else that we've worked so hard for is now but ash."
    "Was it not so when we fought each other?" Daravon looked over at the king, "We're not exactly new to this type of situation."  Ulmerad looked back and chuckled softly.
    "I suppose you're right, old friend," Ulmerad smiled.
    "But are you sure about the Council not being our enemy?" Daravon asked.
    "I know it's hard to believe, but we should be fighting with them, not against them!" Garalt pleaded.

    "Hard indeed," a sinister voice said from a distance.  Garalt turned and gasped at the sight of Zakar standing alone near the party.  
    "But it is true!" Garalt called out, "The Council has been after Tel'Karak Zrahl, to stop her from destroying the world.  I know that now, I've spoken to the headmaster of the F'Rekkah Atoll.   We did not release the dragon, we're fighting her just as you have."
    "So the old man was telling the truth after all.  I admit I had my doubts as to it's validity.  Very well, until the beast is contained, I will consider this to be a temporary truce.  We shall see what your true motives are."
    "Thank you, Sir," Ulmerad saluted.