Leo glared at the giant as four of his men dragged him away. He brushed passed his companions with a flutter of his cloak and wandered to his tent. He threw open its flap and with a fiery fury in his eyes, ripped off his royal armor and donned his old black leather. He strapped his bow, quiver, and shortswords to his back and considered taking Ritterstihl but decided that if he perished doing what he was about to do, he'd rather it pass to his child. He walked back outside and to his stallion which he mounted. "Rangers! Mount up!" he called, hearing the order get picked up and passed along.

Crim watched as Leo left, and hearing his order made her worry. "Leo, where are you going?" she asked as she called for her own stallion. "Where are we going?" she corrected herself. She had her sword with her already. Out of habit she mounted her horse and rode over to Leo. "What is the matter? What's wrong?" Crim asked, very concerned and almost scared of Leo's sudden change of moods.

"Stay in camp Crim. Please. I have something that i have to handle on my own. I cant risk you or the baby. Please." Leo's face contorted with pleading.

Crim looked at him for a moment and debated arguing, but knew it was no use. She had the dragons to tend and herself. Adding time before they left Crim feared she would have the baby on the road. If she did there was a good chance one or even both would not make it. She shook her head and accepted staying at camp. "Be safe. And don't be gone too long." she said in a stern but sweet voice as she kissed his cheek and unmounted her horse.

This would be the first time he had gone off without her, it worried her. If she wasn't there, who would keep him calm or peaceful in a debate. Or even in a fight. Crim had saved him a couple times without him even realizing. Sadly, it felt harder for her than it seemed to him. He seemed off. Like a fire had been lit inside and only going out and searching for what started it would quench his flame. "Come home safe and soon." she muttered to herself as she watched him and his rangers leave.

Alexander smirked hearing Rosline's request to wash up, nodding in agreement. He then helped her stand up after she stumbled onto him. He smiled and eventually put an arm around her to prop her up a bit. He listened to Crim and Leo as he arrived to them. He then helped Rosline up, knowing she was in deep pain. He then watched in slight confusion as Leo left, not sure what to do or say.

Rosline blushed a bit as Alexander helped her back up. "I'm a bit unbalanced it seems. My apologies." she said as she looked up at him. He was as handsome as ever to her, even with the filth from the battle. His smirk and smile made her a bit giddy and antsy inside. Yet something was bugging her, something important.

"So, river? You're filthy." Roz slightly chuckled and gave him a slight smile. As she stood, she purposely leaned onto him. As she leaned she kissed his chin and blushed. "Shall we?"

Alexander chuckled and picked Rosline up. "I got ya. Let's go." Alexander said after he received the kiss on his chin. He was surprised but liked the gesture. He carried her to the river. He undid the straps of the armor and removed his shirt after setting her down. The water was cool, soothing Alexander's sore, cut skin.

Leo returned to his companions with a newfound purpose. After completing his bloody campaign against the survivors of the Battle of Astal, he rode back to camp with sorrow in his heart, that anger had taken him so. Glad he hadnt missed the birth of his son, he said to himself that day that he would never leave his family again. That his kingdom and his family would be his top priorities. A few weeks passed and Crim gave birth to their twin sons, Zeddicus and Gaelin the day after they had reentered Ritland's borders. It had been the happiest day of Leo's life. 5 days after the birth of his sons, Ritahloras became visible from the road. Upon seeing the city, Leo took both his sons in his arms, and held them so they could see, as Seralth and her babies flew overhead. "You are Zeddicus and Gaelin von Andriall. You are the sons of Leollys Blackwolf and Crim Dragonfel. Behold, your kingdom!"

Years after, eighteen to be exact, the Battle of Astal and the birth of Leollys and Crim's twin boys the world has found itself in crumbles yet again. Ritland is on the edge of a darkening world. Outside its borders demons has taken control of what was Ironbane lands. Under the control of Elora a group of demons have decided to prey on civilians, possessing and corrupting them. They seem to be planning to unleash the wraith of hell upon the mortal world as they continually build their army. Consuming every race in their viscous plot, many animals have gone into hiding and many elves, orcs, dwarves, and other races have lost men to the demons' ranks.

Within those years Rosline made a speedy recovery and showed Crim her little party trick. The two woman keep it their secret now until Rosline has the courage to tell her now husband, Alexander. He has been promoted and honored with the position of Grand Commander of the Ritland army. Finding pride in his new position he has continued to be closely bonded with Leo and Crim. Within his friendship with those two, Alexander took on responsibility of training Zed after he found out Leo's condition. Taking the boy under his wing, he taught him well and to the best of his abilities creating a very skillful swordsman and fighter.

Leollys has spent his days stuck in bed rest due to an unexpected illness for the past couple weeks. Before he was sick he taught his sons much. And although he was sick, he has still served his role as King and father well. Under the training of their mother, Zed and Gaelin has learned much. Gaelin has learning under Marco Haas and and Crim. He is now a very powerful mage, while his brother Zed is now the captain of his father's guard, the Rangers.

Although very busy with her sons, Crim also finds time for Seralth and her young. The dragon situation has become as dire as ever now that all of the dragons have disappeared. There are no dragons to be found and with the population diminishing, Crim is uncertain of the future for her dragons. She has even thought of going into enemy territory to scout for others, but has not brought it up to Leo or her sons. Over the time practicing with Gaelin Crim has unlocked more powerful magic within her. As this magic had been discovered a dragon tattoo appeared along her right leg.

Zeddicus raised his training sword, as Alexander's came down. He blocked the strike and pushed his mentor off of his blade. Taking the advantage of Alex's stumble, Zed jumped forward and thrust towards Alex, but his teacher was ready for it, spinning on the spot and taking Zed's legs out from under him before lowering his blade to Zed's throat. Zed huffed and laid on the ground for a bit. "I hate it when you do that Uncle." Zed said as he stood.

Gaelin sat on the balcony of his father's room, overlooking the courtyard. He watched as Zed trained with their Uncle Alex. Laughing as Zed fell, he called "Better luck next time Zeddy!" Before turning and walking over to his father, who was clad in a sleevless white robe. "Need anything dad?" Gaelin asked Leo, who shook his head, coughed and smiled. He had told his sons that his ailment was a werewolf thing and normally happened every 10 to 20 years. Gaelin had been using his magic to help heal his father but it couldnt cure him. Sighing and turning his thoughts away from his father's plight, he realized his journal wasnt with him. He saw it, sitting on the groun on the balcony. He raised his hand and summoned it to him, tapping his foot as it lazily soared to his palm. "Im off to study with mom. I'll be back in a few hours. Bye dad!" Gaelin saw his father wave as he took off down the hall, to the Dragon Den. "Hi mom!" Gaelin called, "Im ready for our lesson today."

Crim looked up from the book she was reading. She was sitting on Seralth's back. "Good afternoon Gaelin." Crim smiled at her son and got off the dragon, patting her side before turning back to him. "There's much you have learned from me and Marco, you have become very powerful and have made me proud. But there is a obstacle in our way. You know Seralth only birthed female hacthlings, well there hasn't been sightings of any other dragons." Crim walked over to her son and sighed. "I fear they could dying out." she added as Seralth roared.

Quickly Crim grabbed her old bow and quiver. "Today's lesson shall be taught by Marco. All lessons until I come back." She smiled at him and ruffled his hair slightly. "You've grown into a handsome young man. I am very proud. But you need to stay here. Training isn't done for you yet." she continued to smile as her readied her weapons and laid out her old armor she had gotten as a gift for aiding the Goldenblades. "Give your father this, please." Crim handed Gaelin a note she had written up for Leo.

As Gaelin left her portion of the den, Crim patted Seralth's neck and dressed in her armor. Yet again it was heavier than she had expected. Turning to her dragon she grabbed her pack of supplies and mounted Seralth. Seralth roared and dove out the balcony window of the den and flew towards the darker side of the horizon. "Let's go find the others."

Gaelin ran to his father's chambers, dropped the note on his sleeping father's chest and ran back out. He raced to Zed's room before kicking the door in and finding a blade stuck under his throat.

Zed had washed up from his training session and made his way to his chambers. He changed into a new tunic and laid on his bed to read a manual on swordplay. He was half asleep when he heard his door bang open. He shot up, rolled off his bed and drew his sword Drakewing in one motion. He leveled the blade at the intruder's throat before realizing it was his brother. "Gaelin! What the hell!"

"Zed! Mom is leaving! We have to go after her!" He yelled. Noticing his brother's confused face, he said, "I'll explain later! Just trust me! Pack and meet me in the Dragon's Den!" he took off running to pack his own bag.

About 30 minutes later, after writing a letter to his father, Zed found himself in the Den, his armor and travelling cloak on, his sword strapped to his waist and a bag on his back. He saw his brother next to two of the dragons, a black one by the name of Eryda and a green one named Eredyn. Both were saddled. His brother was garbed in his armored robes with his hood up. His staff was strapped to his back and his shortsword was at his side. He had a bag on his back and a satchel slung over his shoulder.

"Ready to go?" Gaelin asked.

Zed nodded, put up the hood of his cloak and mounted Eryda. Gaelin mounted Eredyn and they took off after their mother.

Rosline looked up from the flowers she was tending in the courtyard to see Crim on Seralth. They were flying again which was a great sight. They hadn't flown much since Crim was teaching Gaelin and didn't find the time to take her out much anymore. Roz smiled and stayed knelt down by the flowers. Everything was going to be in full bloom soon and she enjoyed the beauty of it.

"Alexander would love to see them flying again." she said softly to herself. Rosline stood and walked over to a small pavilion and sat on the bench under it. "Speaking of which, where is my husband." she looked around and called over a guard. "Could you give Sir Alexander a message for me? Tell him his wife is waiting in the courtyard and has a proposition for him." Roz smiled as the guard nodded and left to find him.

She missed the life outside of the kingdom walls and thought it was time she tell him about her secret. She couldn't keep sneaking out to satisfy her "gift". It seemed more of a curse than a gift now. Crim knew of it, but promised to let Rosline tell Alexander. Now was her chance to tell him. A ride outside the kingdom walls would give them plenty of space to be alone. And if her didn't take to her secret well, he would be far enough for her to give an adequate explanation on the way back to their quarters.

Alexander was sitting on a chair and reading as he was approached. As an older man, he wore Goldenblade general clothes rather than his athletic outfits and combat gear. Alexander had been promoted many times through his military service and hard work. Now the Alexander, now having a partially gray beard and hair with some slight weight gain, stood as he was addressed. He then knew his wife wanted him and he walked to her. He wasn't told what she wanted, but he knew not to keep her waiting.

Alexander placed a hand on Rosline's shoulder. "You wanted me, love?" He asked, wondering what she wanted. He smiled softly as he looked into her eyes.

Rosline turned to him and smiled. "He didn't waste time at all. I was wondering if you wanted to go for a ride or a walk." She looked up at his face as her smile got a little smaller but held through her nervousness. "It's been too long since we left castle grounds and wondered outside of the kingdom. Would you accompany me, my love?" Roz was worried he would have something that needed his attending today, but hoped he would go with her. She couldn't keep her secret from him for much longer. If she didn't tell him he would find out regardless. So she had to step up and face it sooner rather than later.

"Also, did you know Crim and Seralth are back in the sky? It was glorious seeing them fly again. Almost makes me want to fly myself." Roz closed her eyes for a second imagining it then opened them and awaited his response. "Your company would be wonderful, if you have nothing needing your attention today." she added as a bit of a bribe.

When Colt woke up from his groggy sleep he saw he was in a cell. A dungeon cell. One he could not break open with brute force. "Hello?" he called out. His voice echoed before getting a response. Two guards ran over then talked among themselves before running back out the way they cam. Shortly after a tall Blonde regal looking man walked in. Nikolai they called him. Colt looked at the man he towered over and stood there quiet. After making enemies he feared he would not make friends with this man.

"I wish to speak to the king." his voice bellowed as he spoke. Staring at the blonde man he waited a response. He walked over to the center of his cell and sat waiting for the news he would receive.

Leo strode to the dungeons with grace. One of his servants had come to him only moments before with news that the giant wished to speak to him. Leo sighed as he walked. He'd been feeling much better but the stress of both his wife and children leaving was taking a toll. He needed to release some frustration. He arrived at the beast's cell, entered and shooed the guards away. He didnt even speak, just dropped his robes and stood there, naked. Even though he was aging, his body was still in prime physical condition. He chuckled for a moment at the giant's confused expression. His chuckled soon turned to a rapid bark. He felt the wolf take over. He roared in the giants face and began mauling him. When Leo was finished, he observed his work. Guts and blood were sprayed across the walls. Strips of flesh and pieces of bloody bone littered the ground. Satisfied with the carnage, Leo returned to human form, donned his blood soaked robes and strode from the dungeons, a smile on his face.

As they flew, Crim felt a sort of regret for not staying with Leo. She wanted to stay by his side until he got better and hoped the boys were training safely, especially Gaelin. He had a spirit that would never break. She gave a slight smile at the thought of her sons growing up into brilliant, spirited men. It made her proud but also cautious. Crim hoped that Gaelin would become strong enough to tame even the worst of dragons, a task Crim herself had problems with at times.

"Seralth, you miss the air too?" Crim asked patting her dragon on the neck. "it's been too long." The dragon gave a low roar in agreement. She had grow to a great size through the years. And even when they weren't flying Crim and Seralth spent their time close together. "We'll find them. That I'm sure of." Crim focused her thoughts on her task.

She had to find the other dragons, if they weren't dead that is. Ever since the war with the Ironbanes no other dragons had been seen. And even hunters had seen no trace of dragon scales or the beasts themselves. "You won't die out. I will make sure of it." Crim spoke softly to Seralth. The two were bonded to the point Crim knew what Seralth would say if she were human. Her magic always seemed more powerful with her dragon at her side.