The sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon by the time the six knights arrived at the elven camp.  Hillsbrad, the grey Jackal, and Golan, the black Jackal, were standing near the edge of camp looking out into the distance.  Garalt went over to them slowly.
    "I want to thank you for saving our hides back there," Garalt smiled uneasily.
    "Anything for our comrades in arms Sir Garalt," Hillsbrad responded, there was no emotion in his voice.
    "They'll be here Hillsbrad, the Jackals are tough," Garalt reassured them both.
    Golan looked over at the young knight.  Hillsbrad sighed and shook his head slowly.
    "Nay, they would have been here by now Garalt.  The Jackals have been defeated.  At least they went out the way they wanted to, fighting for something noble."
    "How was this noble?!" Tundrock shouted, walking over to the group, "We killed countless mindless creatures while stealing their most valued possession!"
    "That's what you may have been doing," Golan said slowly, his deep, whispery voice sent a chill through Garalt, "but the Jackals went there to rescue four knights in over their heads."
    "But five lives in exchange for four?" Tundrock seemed to be really bothered by it all, "Tell me how that works..."
    "Worry not Tundrock," Hillsbrad responded, "like I said, they went out the way they wanted to.  Now our brothers can rest in peace, no longer hunted mercenaries of this world."
    "Lucky them..." Golan looked out into the distance.

    "Garalt the Black Blade!" the elf in grey called out from the ship.
    "Who?" Garalt turned to him.
    "You, Garalt the Black Blade.  Your name is already moving through the forest, some elves were hiding, watching your battle, they said you cut down over fifty Venorians with your sword!"
    "Fifty..." Garalt sighed.
    "Well boy," Drakon smiled, slapping Garalt's shoulder, "At least you're a true dragoon, you've got yourself a name."
    "I guess so...," Garalt thought to himself.
    "Relieve those two knights of their burden," the elf in grey commanded to two of his soldiers.  The two elves quickly bounded to ground level and carefully took the stone from Garn and Tundrock.  "We've finished repairs upon the ship, Sir Garalt, we were just waiting for that stone.  It will only take a few moments to install it."

    "Sir Tundrock!  Sir Tundrock!" two voices called out.  Garalt looked to see two of the three Storm Crow knights that had accompanied them earlier running toward the knight.
    "We tried to stop her Sir!"
    "Yes, but she wouldn't listen Sir!"
    "What is it lads?  Speak up!" Tundrock said confused, "Who wouldn't listen?"
    The two Storm Crow knights began to look rather pale and nervous.
    "T..the Princess, Sir.."
    "WHAT?!?" Tundrock shouted, "What has happened to the Princess?!"
    "N..nothing 'happened' to her Sir, she's safe."
    "Well then??" Tundrock slammed his hammer into the ground, "what about the Princess??"