Blood trickled from the Great Wyrm's neck. Jormungander snarled heavily but soon realized his mistake. With every sound he made a flock of crossbowmen's arrows followed by a fireball entered the dark cave. Jormungander's anger flared but he remained still, pondering his next move.

Dawn appeared and the Althainians prepared for what they hoped would be a final assault. Cormion, a wizard from Althainia had arrived this morning through a magical gate. Kentanin, the other wizard was stationed outside of the cave where the blue dragon had hidden through the night. Crutos, a Knight of Althainia who was second in command of the only remaining macemen division asked calmly "Are the goblins still asleep?" Kalaman shrugged and shouted, "Lets wake them up!" With that command a well aimed boulder was launched into the Dolund'ir wall, rocking its foundation. Kalaman and Crutos both chuckled. The light hearted humor was interrupted by the Shadows of Dragons approaching. "What now??" shouted Kalaman. Tannker ran up to Kalaman's post shouting and waving his arms. "It's a Brass Dragon, sir! It's come to help!"

Paziameira landed and nudged them gently with her snout. She looked around and clicked her teeth in annoyance. "Where is it"? The large Brass Dragon asked.

Kalaman knew who the "it" the large female dragon was referring to. "He has holed himself up in a cave all night. We have it injured." Paziameira made no response and walked over the cave.

(((BAAAM))) A wall of the Dolund'ir city shook with a force so powerful, it knocked Sheng who was leaning on it completely to the ground. Sheng stood up quickly, his head ringing. Jerluk laughed and then spoke without emotion. "Bad place to rest, no?" Sheng muttered and drew his sword. Tarion shouted down the ranks, "Let us go! Remember, we win or we die!"

Cormion approached Kalaman. "Another Dragon approaches, and its that of a green one. Shall I cast a fireball at it?" Kalaman did not pause before he answered. "NO! No one harm the green beast. I have word from the King that this beast came here to slay the Blue, some sort of Chromatic rivalry. Do not harm it!" Crutos smirked and stated quietly "I wonder what the Brass will think about the Green's help."

The gates flung open and the army of Dolund'ir ran towards the Althainians. Battle cries flared and the battle begun. Mostly unnoticed, a goblin Shaman by the name of Chanker turned himself into a coyote and quietly made his way towards the cave. As he approached the cave the coyote changed shape into a small, baby bear. The Althainians watched as the small cub wandere towards the cave.

Yawg, a ranger and leader of the crossbowmen saw the cub approach. "Let it be. The cub probably lives in the cave. I do not know if it has family left there, but we should not interfere with nature". Those under his command knew he meant what he said when it comes to protecting natures beasts. Those without blue scales and 50 foot tails that is.

Once safe inside the cave, Chanker unshifted into his Goblin form. "No be afraid blue one, I come here to heal your wounds."

The brass dragon approached the cave.

(continued in part 2)