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Chapter 8: Paradise Lost

''You didn't think you could take me here unawares here of all places... in the Paradise that I created?!'' Dragon recognized the voice. It was Mankar Camoran. He was speaking to the Argonian telepathically. ''Look now upon my Paradise... Gaiar Alata in the old tongue. A vision of the past... and the future.'' Dragon decided to ignore him and followed the stone path leading down to the area below. It was strange that such a beautiful paradise could be created by a mad man, it seemed so perfect. If such a place existed then Dragon would've came and lived here. As he ventured deeper and deeper into the Paradise, the words of Camoran came again. ''Behold the Savage Garden. Where my disciples are tempered for a higher destiny; to rule over Tamriel reborn.'' As he came upon a stone bridge he heard screams fill the air. Across the bridge Clannfears, hard-skinned reptilian demons half the size of Dragon, were attacking a small group of men and women dressed in barely any clothing. He drew the sword of Lord Mha and attacked the demons. They were hardly a challenge and were dispatched quite easily with a wide swing of Mha's sword. The sword seemed to feast upon the blood of the Daedra as the blood on the sword was instantly absorbed. The sword looked like a normal Daedric claymore but then it became serrated and the handle covered in flesh-like vines. A Redguard from the group looked at Dragon.

''So are you the one come to end our torment here?'' Dragon replied confused.

''So all you people here are Mythic Dawn?''

''Yes. All of us have died here in service to the master. Please stop Mankar Camoran! He continues to torment us!''

''What torment? Daedra?''

''Yes. Daedra. They kill and maim the other members of the cult. It's Camoran's way of preparing us but no it's horrible! We are brought back every time after our deaths to relieve the horror over and over again!''

''Hmph. So looks can be deceiving. The Paradise is obviously an illusion of what Camoran thinks he will be promising you people.''

''Please if you want to reach the master then head for the Forbidden Grotto. It is for those who wish to leave the gardens. But be careful, those who go there never come back.''

''So what I just go in? Nothing special?''

''You must get the bands of the chosen from the Dremora, Kathutet who guards the entrance to the grotto. You must either kill him or...'' The words of the Redguard were cut off as flame atronach, an elemental made of fire shaped like a female, threw a ball of flame at him, incinerating the man. Dragon threw his sword at the elemental and it exploded. The sword then magically returned to his owner. The Argonian tried to question the fleeing people but they were too scared to answer. Camoran spoke again like an annoying fly.

''If you are truly the hero of destiny as I hoped then the garden will not hold you for long. Lift your eyes upon Carac Agaialor, my seat at the pinnacle of Paradise. I shall await you there...''

He continued to follow the path until stopping at a long stone bridge leading to a cave. Under the archway over the bridge was a Dremora, he approached. He did not seem hostile like the other Daedra.

''You are the one who destroyed the sigil tower at Ganonah. My kin say that you destroyed our leader, Lord Mha. You even carry his sword, Blood Reaver as proof of this.''

''Well actually he lost it during the fight and didn't care if I had it. Then he pretty much died with a friend's help. I assure you he won't be coming back, ever. You're Kathutet correct?''

''Yes I am. To have one destroy our leader brought much shame to us as we were foolish enough to leave our posts outside the tower and join the battle. Our god was displeased and thus has cursed many of my kin to shepherd Mankar Camoran's chattle.''

''I seek Mankar Camoran in this twisted Paradise.''

''Indeed and the only way is through the Forbidden Grotto. I hold the bands of the chosen that will allow you to pass but you shamed my kin at Ganonah so I will offer you a choice before you receive the bands. Will you face me in combat? Or offer me service? To kill you will bring me honor but to have you in my service, that will also being me honor.'' Dragon decided to offer the Dremora service seeing as he didn't try to kill him. ''Very well. A wise choice. Not far from this area, on the sea shore lies the lair of Anaxes. He is a Xivilai under my command. He regularly kills the chattel of the gardens for his amusement but he embarrasses me. The chattel have somehow imprisoned the Xivilai in his lair. You must go there and free him. Until then the bands will remain with me.'' The sea shore was not far from the bridge and right there was a large cave entrance. Inside there were shouts and yells. He entered and spotted a group of people trying to reinforce a large boulder blocking an entrance to another room. Wooden poles prevented the boulder from moving as something huge effortlessly pounded the boulder on the other side. The people ignored Dragon as he came up close to the blocked entrance and as he tried to remove one of the poles a man tried to stop him.

''NO! Please don't let Anaxes out! He torments us day and night. He's worse than the other Daedra!'' Dragon felt sorry for the man and everyone in here but they chose their choice for joining the cult. This was their punishment. He ignored the man and simply said.

''You guys made your choice. Your all going to die anyway once I kill your master.'' He then used his sword and cut all the poles.

''NO!!'' The man tried to stop the boulder himself from moving but couldn't and was crushed as it came free. A large figure taller than Dragon appeared. It's skin was dark blue, it' had short black hair, and it wore a armored skirt. It was like a huge muscular man. It was the Xivilai, Anaxes. He began slaughtering the people in the cave while Dragon sneaked out. He returned to Kathutet who was content with the completion of the job.

''Good. The Xivilai is free and now the bands are yours.'' He handed the Argonian two huge leather bands. As he put them on he felt weird. He was suspicious.

''What's going on here. What's with these bands?''

''They are cursed. Whoever puts them on shall be weak against fire, you'll know why soon enough though. Since you have served me well let me tell you this. Those who enter the Grotto are endlessly tortured and never leave. However my kin, Orthe who resides as warden of the Grotto holds the key to the exit. Either find and kill him or convince him to allow you to leave.'' Kathutet stepped aside allowing Dragon to enter the Grotto. As he approached the door, the bands glowed red along with the door and it opened revealing a small dark room. The grotto was hardly lit causing Dragon to bump into a few stalagmites making him feel his way through. He then saw a dim light in another room. He saw that the light source came from a lava pit which had two cages large enough for one person hanging over them. One of those cages was already lowered into the lava. One of them had a half-naked Imperial in a fetal position rambling about something and yells came from the one in the lava. As he looked down he saw a male Wood elf in shoulder high lava waving his arms in pain. Quickly Dragon looked for anything that could pull him up and saw a lever, pulling it to the other side but it lowered the other cage down. There was nothing he could do and he left to explore more of the grotto. In the next area it was a large room, filled with sharply pointed stalagmites and stalactites. On most of them were Mythic Dawn cultists, impaled on either through the head or body. Unlike the other rooms it was lit with torches planted into the ground. The ground was mostly filled with puddles of blood. Dragon continued to the next area along the pathway through the stalagmites and as he passed by some of the impaled he saw that they were still alive. Some even reached out there arms toward him or turned their heads if they could.

As he entered the next torture room. This one had lava pits just like the first room but many more. Screams filled the air as those tortured were burned alive. Then as he crossed a bridge across a lava bed he was grabbed by a red cloaked figure. Dragon was about to deliver his fist into the figure's face but he pleaded for him to stop in a measly voice. ''And why should I not kill you?''

''Because I am the only one who can remove the bands. Those who have the bands cannot leave the Forbidden Grotto.'' He took off his hood, revealing his face as a High Elf. Dragon lowered his fist, questioning the Altmer more.

''So... why help me?''

''Because its hell in this place. I am Eldamil. I was Mankar Camoran's commander and the one responsible for the opening of the great gate at Kvatch. Once I did I committed suicide to join my master in Paradise. However I couldn't handle the horrors of the Savage Garden and pleaded with the master not to be killed anymore by the Daedra. But he thought that as his commander I would understand. So as punishment for being weak, Mankar Camoran sent me here to torture my comrades otherwise I would join them too. This was not what I was hoping to be promised by the master. But as if by miracle you are here! Dragon! The one who saved Kvatch and destroyed our base. You can defeat Camoran! Once he is dead, we can all rest.''

''All right then but how can I trust you?''

''You just have to all right! Quickly lets move to the exit and remove the bands there. It's the only safest part of the grotto. After here, we'll encounter Daedra. Think you can take care of them?''

''Don't worry I've faced some things worse than them.'' The two exited the torture room, into an area with some Daedra patrolling around. Telling Eldamil to stay back, Dragon snuck between some rocks in the corner. As the other Daedra were mostly on the other side of the room he saw a lone Dremora patrolling along a large lava pit. Slowly he approached him and snuck behind him as he stopped along the lava pit. Dragon then used his sword to slit the demon's throat then kicked him into the lava pit while retreating back into the shadows. As the other demons hear the sound of splashing lava they sent a timid scamp to investigate. As he approached close to the lava, Dragon threw a large rock at it's head sending it into the pit. A Dremora captain seeing where the rock was thrown ordered the others to attack. They investigated the area but did not find the Argonian; instead he was behind the captain, thrusting his blade through the demon. The Daedra turned as the demon screeched and charged at Dragon. His sword then had a dark aura, glowing red. Somehow the sword came to life for just that moment forcing Dragon to horizontally slash the air. A wave of red colored energy then appeared, cutting through the air and immediately slicing the incoming Daedra in two. Eldamil came from his hiding place, amazed from what had occurred.

''The blade of Lord Mha? So you were the one who killed him?''

''Ya. I destroyed him. I got his sword during my fight with him.''

''Be wary of that sword. It has a mind of its own and tends to betray the wielder at times.''

''Betray?''

''Yes. It even betrayed Lord Mha. That sword would've killed you in an instant yet it did not release it's full potential and power. It wanted you to kill Mha so that you would be the next wielder of the sword. It's free will is what makes it so dangerous to have.''

''Know any story behind it?''

''No I do not. Best to ask certain scholars about it. But lets hurry to the exit.'' But as Eldamil led Dragon further through the cave, the sword acted strangely. It spoke to in a demonic voice the Argonian in his mind.

''Unlike Mha you disgust me. All about goodness and being a hero. Pfft. But even though I know your sins, I've seen your mind. I see all that my wielder has experienced and yours has peeked my curiosity. I can kill you right now, drain you of your blood but you are an interesting one so I'll help you for now. Just so I can see things better can you feed me a little more Daedra blood?'' The voice faded away. Dragon did not understand what the sword meant by 'see things better'. As the two ventured deeper in the cave they came upon a large group of Dremora feasting on some strange meat. Eldamil pointed out a Dremora without a helm with short wild blue hair. Long horns protruding from his scalp.

''That's Orthe. The grotto warden, he holds the key needed for our escape.''

''I thought that all I needed to do was remove the bands.''

''Yes but the bands just prevent you from exiting, the key is the only way of unlocking the exit door. Just wait here I have something in mind.'' Eldamil approached Orthe who wasn't happy to see the elf. In a deep gurgling voice he yelled at him.

''Get back to your post! You are not allowed here!'' Eldamil replied in a timid voice.

''I'm sorry warden please have mercy. You see an intruder has killed the Daedra guarding me and almost did the same to me but I escaped. Please! You must help me! I think he's after me!'' Eldamil hugged the warden by the waist which provoked him.

''Get off me you worm!'' He kicked him away with hard force. He then scurried away back to Dragon. In his hand was a crude rock-like key.

''Our ticket out. Now follow me. Theres another way to the exit besides through Orthe's men.'' The two went back to the torture room with the impaled and Eldamil revealed a hidden door within the walls. As the two entered, the impaled reached out their hands toward them groaning in protest. The doorway led to a pitch black area with only a nearby torch stuck to the wall. A room was revealed to them as Eldamil grabbed the torch and stabbed the head into a hole above. It was lit up instantly with an yellow glow. The reason for the light came from hundreds of tiny holes all around the room which had pieces of quartz in them. In the middle of the room was a bloodied stone tablet that had crude torture devices on it. ''This was originally where they would torture the most troublesome in the grotto. Those who tried to fight for their freedom. But now its empty.'' Black stoned steps to the far left of the room led to a lower area. ''Thankfully the Dremora aren't too smart about sealing unused rooms. Those steps lead to the exit. Come.''

They reached the exit in no time at all, strangely encountering no enemies at all. They came upon a rock door with stone blocks jutting out of it. Eldamil clamped his hands onto the bands on Dragon's wrists which began to glow red. They came off easily as if it were nothing. ''Good. Now you can leave. Just let me unlock the door, it might take a while so hang on.'' He began to unlock the rock door with the key along with a complex set of hand movements, pushing each block at a time. Footsteps could be heard walking up the ramp that led to Orthe's group. They began to draw closer with every second causing Eldamil to hasten the unlocking. Dragon drew his sword knowing that battle was not to far away. Appearing from the corner was a huge dark blue man. It was no man at all but a Xivilai. It carried a huge war axe made of black rock that looked sharp enough to take a man's head off. It turned around, seeing the two and yelled a deep roar that alerted others nearby. The Xivilai charged at Eldamil but Dragon intercepted it and slashed it's legs. Crippled, the Xivilai raised his axe how to bring down upon Dragon's head but he dodged it and cut it's wrist. The axe fell to the ground and a sword was then thrust through its throat. Despite having killed the demon so easily it took some time for Dragon to get the sword out of it's throat. ''Hurry! They're coming!'' Dragon almost had the sword out.

''Argh! Don't worry I'm almost out of the tendons.'' With a strong pull he was able to get it out and prepared to face the incoming Daedra. Dremora led by Orthe confronted the two. He issued for them to attack and the charged at Dragon. He did a low spinning attack causing one of the demons to lose his footing. While he was vulnerable on the ground, the Argonian stabbed him. A Dremora headed for Dragon but was grabbed by him and headbutted. As the demon recoiled, the Argonian thrust his sword threw him and kicked him into the crowd of Daedra behind him. As the sword began to feast on the blood of Daedra it spoke to Dragon yet again.

''Ah... so tasty. Now allow me to do something for a change.'' The sword began to change and instantly a single eye appeared on the handle. ''Hope you don't mind me taking over your body for a while...'' Dragon then felt instant fatigue and fell to the ground while Daedra surrounded him. He rose up but he was not Dragon, he was someone else. The sword had taken over the Argonian's body. It spoke in a deep voice, ''Ah... To be in a body again... it feels good! Now time for you fools to die.'' He charged into the Daedra and attacked with demonic speed. Leaping into the air with his sword raised he created a huge shockwave that shook the grotto as soon as he hit the ground. Eldamil fell to the ground while pushing the last block needed to open the door. As the sword finished off the last of the Daedra he dragged Eldamil out of the grotto. They entered a grassy plain with strange blue and pink flowers that covered most of it. He laughed. ''You are no longer of any use to me.'' He prepared to kill the Altmer but then stopped. He groaned in pain, clenching his head and falling to the ground. ''No! Not yet!'' His voice soon dissipated and a new one was heard.

''Get out of me!'' His voice then changed back and began to change between each one.

''Never! Your body is mine!'' After a few more minutes of struggling, Eldamil mustered up the courage to help him. He drew out an iron dagger and was able to grab the sword from Dragon's hands. He then stabbed the eye with all of his strength. The sword let out a high pitched scream and fell silent. The spirit no longer possessed Dragon and he was free. Somewhat shaken by the event he laid on the grass amongst the strange flowers. Eldamil approached Dragon.

''Its a good thing it didn't take over your body.''

''And what if he had?''

''Your soul would've been devoured by him and he would keep your body.''

''Well... I'm glad that's over... How'd you stop him?''

''The eye. It seemed to be a weak spot so I aimed for it.''

''Thanks... Where's the sword anyway?'' Eldamil handed Dragon the evil weapon, its eye shut tight. ''It scares me that I need to use this again but I have no choice. It maybe the only thing that can help me defeat Mankar Camoran. By the way is that the supposed 'pinnacle of Paradise'?'' He pointed to a white tower not far from where they were, surrounded by a small forest.

''Yes it is.''

''Well lets get going.'' But as Dragon got up he heard a loud sound coming from the grotto. The exit was not sealed. Eldamil quickly rushed to the door, entering to seal it from the inside. ''Wait no! Eldamil! I can take them!'' Eldamil looked back and saw possibly hundreds of Daedra coming towards the exit. He told him to get out of here and head for Camoran.

''Don't worry! I won't die. I'll be brought back! Just go! To Camoran now!'' He then sealed the door and the Argonian was now once again alone.

Carac Agaialor was a beautiful sight to behold. The entrance to the tower courtyard was an archway covered in unique designs and vines. Trees surrounded the courtyard, their leaves a shield around the courtyard causing sunlight to break through some open gaps between the leaves. A garden of those strange plants covered the ground. Steps led to a higher platform that was a bridge to the tower entrance. Despite the tower's beauty it was eerily quiet. Strangely enough the tower was of Ayleid craft and looked brand new. The door to the tower was made of pure crystal and opened by itself as Dragon approached.

Inside was a somewhat large room with stairs on the sides that led to the upper levels of the tower. Metal chandeliers carried varla stones, pure white crystals with magical properties, that dimly it up the room. Empty metal braziers stood at both the tower entrance and at the sides of the room. An elegant rug led to the back of the room where a small throne was. Behind it was a cathedral like window. There sitting on that throne was a High Elf. As Dragon fully entered the tower the crystal door shut tight behind him. As he approached the Elf the braziers lit up as soon as he passed each one. By the time he got to him the entire room was lit. The details of the Elf were revealed to Dragon and there on his neck was the amulet of kings. It was none other than Mankar Camoran. He still wore the same outfit the last time Dragon saw him, with the exception that he had an elegant metal crown on him now. He rose slowly and spoke in an regal voice, ''I have waited a long time for you... champion of Old Tamriel.'' The Argonian placed his hand on his sword hilt, thankfully the evil sword was still asleep. ''You breathe the stale air of false hope...'' He chuckled. ''Hope cannot save your pathetic Empire once our master comes into Tamriel.'' As he spoke cultists in metallic armor with red robes underneath marched toward Camoran from the steps and turned to face Dragon. ''Lord Dagon cannot be stopped! Not by your gods, not by your lost 'heir', not by your Empire, and not by you! He will regain what was once his! You see he comes to liberate Tamriel for it is his birthright! Long ago in ages past in the beginning the one you call Lorkhan, the trickster god had thought of the idea for the creation of this world. This was his plane of Oblivion you see but eventually he was discarded by his fellow brothers and sisters. His plane was disconnected from Oblivion and your gods along with others used this world in order to create what is now Nirn. At first our Lord Dagon came to take over the realm but those fools, the Aedra chased him out!''

More and more men came down from the steps and faced Dragon, standing side by side with Camoran. ''But now our plans are almost complete! The lines soon blurred will now be erased! Tamriel and Oblivion rejoined! The Mythic Age reborn! Lord Dagon shall walk Tamriel again. The world shall be remade. A new age shall rise from the ashes of the old! My vision shall be realized. Weakness will be purged from the world, and mortal and immortal alike purified in the refiner's fire. My long duel with the Septims is over, and I have the mastery. The Emperor is dead. The Amulet of Kings is mine. And now the last defender of the last of the ragged Septims stands before me... Let us see who has proved the stronger!'' Instantly he sent a powerful bolt of lightning from his hand towards Dragon. Taken by surprise he was sent flying into the wall. Camoran sat back down and ordered his men to attack the Argonian. Quickly Dragon got up, injured though not crippled. The first man raised his sword high upon Dragon and attacked though he dodged it. He drew out the evil sword and slashed the air but nothing happened. The man attacked again but this time Dragon disarmed him and plunged his sword into his heart. More of Camoran's cultists surrounded Dragon and they all charged at him but he jumped out of the crowd. He then leaped into the air and cleaved his sword into the first man his weapon met.

But then one of the cultists came behind Dragon and hit him in the head with a mace. ''OW!'' In anger he grabbed the mace and struck it across the man's face. Then he threw it into the crowd, hitting another in the face. The crowd came toward him faster than expected and they all skewered him with their swords. Camoran clapped his hands.

''Well done by disciples! Unfortunately it seems he was not the hero of destiny. Only another self styled hero who have set themselves in my path only to prove... unworthy in the event.'' The cultists withdrew their swords from Dragon's body and he fell dead on the ground. ''Now return to your posts.'' Once all of them were gone he began conjuring a spell. ''Your fallen body will be a message to the Empire. None can stop Lord Dagon.'' But then Dragon instantly rose up and with lightning fast speed twisted Camoran's hand. ''Argh!'' He yelled in pain. He backhanded the Argonian with a hand filled with lightning. ''How dare you!'' He rose from his throne and threw a ball of fire at Dragon which formed into a wall of fire as it hit the ground, separating the two. The flames dispersed and he charged again but Camoran swatted him away as if he were nothing.

''How?! Your nothing more than a measly old man.''

''You are here... in the heart of my power. It is here that I am all powerful!'' The cultists came to their master's aid as they hurried from the steps but Camoran stopped them. ''No! He is mine! Get back on your feet Argonian.'' Dragon leaped into the air and prepared to cleave into Camoran's head but it was blocked by a wooden staff. Suddenly an electric shock was sent through the staff right into Dragon and it blew him away to the ground. Camoran laughed. ''You see now? The gods you worship are false. It is the Daedra that are the true gods!''

''You know I don't worship any gods but I do believe in them. And I certainly believe that the Daedra are rather monsters than gods.'' Dragon breathed a powerful stream of flame toward the Altmer but he was unfazed by the blast. Camoran raised his staff in force at the Argonian's direction and it blasted him against the wall. He continued to move his staff in which Dragon's body followed. Repeatedly he made Dragon hit into walls. He smashed the Argonian unto the floor and released him from his spell. Slowly he rose back to his feet but then realized that his wounds weren't healing.

''Surprised? You see in my Paradise I can affect any who enter... even you!'' Dragon then realized that the eye on his sword was now open. The evil sword had regained consciousness. It tried to wriggle its way out of his hands but he held it tightly. Then he thought of something. Deciding that it would be better than nothing he threw the sword at Camoran. The Altmer created a shield to defend himself but the sword broke through and skewered him into the wall. ''Ah!'' He pulled the sword out but was heavily wounded. He ordered for his men to attack but Dragon breathed a great fire ball at the group, killing most of them. Some made it out of the fire and headed for Dragon. One charged at him but failed once Dragon grabbed his arm, punching him in the face repeatedly and grabbed his sword, slashing it across his face. Another hit his mace against the Argonian's sword, disarming him but he quickly headbutted him and kicked him in the stomach with force, sending him flying to the wall. One of the cultists snuck behind Dragon about to plunge a dagger into his throat but having heard his footsteps the Argonian delivers a roundhouse kick to the man's face and sends a killing blow to his heart using his fist.

Camoran looks in anger but does not show doubt or fear. After fighting off the rest of the cultists Dragon turns to face the Altmer but notices bright lights from behind him. Surprised he sees the cultists he had just recently killed returned to full health. He then remembered that all the cultists that die here get resurrected again, thus this made it frustrating for him. Dragon then charged for Camoran while breathing a ball of fire that burst into a wall of flame, preventing the cultists from aiding Camoran. The Altmer first fired lightning out of his staff at his incoming enemy but he dodged it and grabbed the evil sword on the ground nearby. Then he slashed at the Altmer who tried to protect himself using the staff but it in turn it was cut in half. The sword cleaved into his body. Dragon then pushed the sword deeper in. Camoran gasped out a some words. ''Fate has chose you well...'' Dragon withdrew the sword while quickly doing a high spinning sweep that decapitated the Altmer. As soon as the fire wall dispersed the cultists charged at Dragon but then fell dead. The tower began to shake as if an earthquake hit and started to crumble. He crouched down to the corpse of Mankar Camoran and pulled the amulet off him. He made his way to the exit while dodging falling debris but the exit would not open. As Dragon looked through the gaps in the walls it seemed that the sky outside was itself shattering like glass and the wildlife dieing quickly. Everything seemed to melt away and then suddenly darkness.

Slowly opening his eyes Dragon saw that he was back in Cloud Ruler Temple, laying on the ground. As he rose up he saw that all the Blades were looking at him including Hekem, Rana, and Martin. The heir approached the triumphant hero. ''Your back! And Mankar Camoran is dead yes?'' He proudly said.

''Yup and also I have the amulet right here.'' Dragon grabbed the amulet of kings out from his pocket and raised it up high for all to see. Everyone in the room cheered, the Blades raising their weapons high. Dragon handed it to Martin who was in filled with awe. At first he hesitated to put it on but with some encouragement he slipped the amulet onto his neck. It did not come off. Martin seemed surprised at first but was happy.

''So it seems you were right all along my friend. I am the heir to the throne for only a Septim can put on the amulet.'' Jauffre came up behind Martin holding rather extravagant robes. They were colored purple but had pure white furs at the shoulder area and cuff links. In the inside was a ruby red silk shirt laced with elegant golden designs. A leather strand of sorts that had enchanting designs connected from the fur at the shoulders. A golden string originating at the right puff of fur at the shoulder connected all the way to the left side of the waist to a purse of sorts. At the waist was a large golden belt. Jauffre handed Martin the robes.

''These were the same clothes that your father wore while being Emperor. It is now yours.'' As Martin held the robes everyone in the hall bowed to him except Rana until Hekem brought her down. A tear streaked across the heir's face, he smiled.

''Thank you everyone. For all that you have done. But... do not bow down to me for I am not Emperor yet until Chancellor Ocato at the palace announces me as one. And then... the Dragonfires.''

To Be Continued...