"You want to know?" Ariadne snapped, shooting a fierce look at Toral. "No, my honour is being questioned, ill or otherwise I was not brought up to allow a sleight against my character to go unanswered." She looked between Barty and Cefrey. "My name is Ariadne Dawnhammer, or to use the name my mother intended for me, Meria Dawnhammer. That sword," she said, pointing to the sword while trying to stay calm. "That is the Dawnhammer Blade, a sword thought lost centuries ago, forged for my grandfather before Elves departed beyond the South Seas. In this land's darkest hour, faced by an Orc with the strength to sweep every race aside like they were nothing, my grandfather formed a desperate alliance, but..." she looked away. "He died in the biggest battle of the war, saving a human city from near certain destruction. His sacrifice inspired every leader there, including the father of the now Lord of Dragons, to swear that if aid was ever needed that blade would act as an oath they were sworn to uphold. If there is any chance Stormrider will help us, upholding his father's promise to my family is going to persuade him." She faltered, Paeter helping her steady herself. "I fear nothing because...I know what happens if we fail, whether it is at Myraz's hands, or at the hands of a vengeful dragon, if we do not try nothing will be safe. If either of you have anything you truly care for you would be unwilling to risk the devastation that is coming. I have seen too many die because of that damned dragon artefact to stand by and let more fall to it." She turned to Toral. "Barty is right though, much as I appreciate your healing, you have not explained your presence here."<br/><br/>"I am a member of a race you would not know," he replied. "We call ourselves the<em>Sidhe</em>, I was originally here to look after a dying seer of ours but...she has passed on. We travel through the north regularly enough that I know paths you do not. The alternative is you risk the Orcs finding you. They are no allies of Myraz, but there are few who would help you."