Fred and Alicia evac

Fred is torn. He is torn between loyalties and pledges of knighthood.

Fred's oath of knighthood demanded that he aid the non-humans and get them to the safety of the were-creature island. It fell under his oath to help the innocent and defenseless.

Fred's oath of obedience demanded that he AID his fellow knights in their quest.

Fred shakes his head and berates himself as a fool! There was NO honor in what those people were doing, and as a D'Honaire, he'd be damned if he'd participate in such a travesty!

Besides, his fellow knights would run HIM through if he so much as showed is reddish orange face to them.

Fred's sharp fox eyes saw that Minestus was well and truly out of reach, and rapidly gaining altitude. He then turns back and helps a small elven child gather her belongings, and hurries her over to the awaiting elven skiff.

"Surely that dragon will be dead within the hour!" Fred mutters to himself as he boards the last boat. Alicia and Grailing greet him.

"I wouldn't be so sure, my furry friend," chuckles Grailing, a sad smile on his lips. "There are two things that you apparently are ignorant of, you see. Minestus is a dragon MAGE, not a mere dragon....his power of the Arte is his preferred weapon.....and has a MUCH further reach than his claws.....even his fiery breath."

"Does his reach with...spells outdistance arrow flight?" Alicia asks, suddenly feeling a chill.

"Indeed," the elf says grimly. "The only weapon that could reach him could be ballista bolt, or another mage......but that is where the second factor comes into play......"

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

"I see that the giants have arrived," Grailing says, nodding.

Fred feels his face turn pale underneath the red fur of his face. He sees dozens of humanoid figures off in the distance.....that tower well OVER fifty feet!

"Giants?" whispered Fred.

The forces of the Great Kingdom don't stand a chance! the manfox thinks, feeling his stomach churn.

"Is....there some way to stop this from happening?" Alicia asks the grim looking elf.

"No," Grailing says emphatically. "The humans of Kingdom have crossed a deadly line....and by tomorrow there will not be a normal....living.....human within the borders of what will HAVE been known as the Great Kingdom."

1. "Unless......." Grailing suddenly says, looking speculatively at the anxious foxes. "We get two willing people who will become Wardens....."

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