The Golden Arow of Sasalos

"I will recount Matilda's scrubbing brush as the first of the five items stolen...", the thick black bearded man in grey armor declares. Though before the man standing in the center court of his king can read on further from the list of stolen items, he is interrupted by his queen atop the red carpeted steps.

"Surely you can take Matilda's brush off your list. It has been weeks since it was stolen. In fact, I presented Matilda with a new much sturdier brush for her to scrub the floors with.", the queen then deposed a question to her maid who was standing down below with other cleaning staff, "What say you, Matilda? Do you not like your new brush?"

Matilda nodded enthusiastically as she proudly displayed her new brush for everyone in the court to see!

"It serves me well my queen, the new brush that you gave me!", Matilda gleefully replied.

"Well, you work wonders with it my dear Matilda.", The queen replied.

"May I please continue reading from the list, your majesties?", The black bearded man pleaded.

"Please do.", The king curtly answered.

Without hesitation the bearded man continued to read off the next stolen item from his list," Not long after Matilda's floor scrubber was stolen the minstrel Henry's hurdy-gurdy was taken."

To the bearded man's relief, he was allowed to continue, which he did," The third stolen item is Perry the Coureurs feathered quill used for signing official packages! Now surly, you see the stakes only increase with each of these brazen thefts."

"Yet, Perry along with all the other coureurs have continued their routes unabated.", The queen contended.

"These crimes are an afront to your authority for whatever reason theses bandits which we think there may be three of them mean to mock your rule. I know that you cannot see it now, but these little crimes may lead to something more heinous. It is my duty to not let that happen or at the very least hold these thieves accountable for their crimes!", the bearded man gasps out!

The regal Queen Fiona in her white gown is silently quieted by her king's hand so that he can reply back instead," We both hear you loud and clear Bertram, however my duty as king at this time is to prepare for Ambassador Dagel's return with his dignitary from the Golden City. My knights are both surveying outside the castle from the ramparts as well as patrolling outside to secure the safety of our soon to arrive guest. You will have to pursue these bandits of yours with the manpower that you already possess or dare I say redouble your efforts. I am sorry again Bertram, but you will have to carry on with whatever is already at your disposal. These bandits cannot leave the city without passing through our secured check point at the gate if that helps ease your conscious."

"Unfortunately, it does not because I would rather these bandits be outside these walls than within them." Sheriff Bertram replies.

Suddenly a voice shouts out from a row of knights lined along the walls, "May I aide the Sheriff in his efforts to stop these bandits?"

Immediately, Bertram recognizes the youthful voice of his knighted nephew Leon who undoubtedly will get reprimanded for his outburst.

Leons superior, Sir Cassian is about to start laying in on him when King Faraday stops him," No, Sir Cassius do not reprimand...Leon is it not? Is Bertram also not your uncle as well?"

"You are correct on both accounts my king." Leon concedes.

The red bearded King Faraday smiles approvingly as unseen by him does his young daughter Princess Fay at his rear though in a less platonic way.

"Go with your uncle Bertram, who knows your aide might make all the difference to him. I think my royal knights can spare the loss of but one soldier besides one cannot overlook the virtues of family bonding. In conclusion, I thank all of you in my presence. Though now I must conclude in preparation for Ambassador Dagel's return with the representative from the Golden City. Good day."

As the royal couple arise from there thrones to attend to more personal matters their daughter princess Fay continues to gaze towards Leon the young knight as he meets with his uncle Bertram. The voice of her mother Fiona breaks off her attentive stare," I need you with me Fay my dear."

"Yes, mother I'm coming.", Fay reluctantly says as she gets one more look at the handsome young Leon who is about to embrace his uncle.

What happens next Fay is unaware because as she turns her head to leave with her queen mother, down below Leons right arm is seized upon by his captain Sir Cassius!

"Let go of him!", Bertram tells Cassius who defiantly maintains his grip on Leon!

"You have no authority over me! Leon kin or not is still under my command.", Cassius makes clear.

"Though not at this time or weren't you listening to your king?", Bertram dictates.

Finally letting go of Leon's arm Cassius warns both Bertrum as well as his nephew," King Faraday was gracious enough this day to allow Leon to aid you but when you both fail to capture these bandits and you will. That well of gratitude that you drank from today will not be there again. In its place will be the reality that I am both of yours better. So, enjoy this respite today for upon my father's return with the foreign dignitary, I will be guaranteed a never-ending grace period of royal gratitude's."

"If you are so certain of your golden future then why are you so petty about me simply wanting to help my uncle?", Leon asks bluntly.

"How dare you call me petty!", Cassius scoffs," You will have plenty of punishment coming your way when the Golden City ambassadors stay is over. You can rest assured on that!"

Cassius then angrily stamps off!

"Wipe away your concern.", Bertrum tells his nephew," I have no doubt that Cassius' father has promised him an overflow of rank privileges. However, all those promises from Dagel to his son have yet to be fulfilled. Then again if all those promises do become true then so be it. I don't root for anyone's misfortune, if things go the way Dagel hopes then all the better. That is why I am working so hard to catch these bandits in the city for it would help guarantee the same reward for myself. As well as my wonderful nephew!"

"That is because you are selfless and not selfish like my conceded captain." Leon affirms.

"I also try to see the good in people. For whatever self-serving agenda that either Dagel or his son Cassius have there is an unintended benefit in which their self-serving ways may ensure." Bertrum admits.

"Like what?", Leon plainly asks.

"Well first and foremost Ambassador Dagel has pulled off a tremendous feat in convincing anyone of those Sun-Lizards who live in the Golden City to pay us a visit. We would benefit immensely from sharing a partnership with them. That is also why I do not want anything to go wrong on that day." Bertrum explains.

Though before Leon can ask a follow up question, he is led away by his uncle who says," Let me take you to my home for the night for there will be much for us to do in the morning."

The very next morning atop one of the watchtowers roosted along the vast rectangular wall which surrounds the city ruled by King Faraday, a knight spots an approaching troupe out amongst the hills. The knight shouts aloud after recognizing the four horses blue and white attire as well as the familiar heraldry upon the face of the flag being carried by the rider taking the point. In the middle of the four riders of King Faradays rule was the foreign rider from the Golden City. The so-called Sun lizard rode high in his saddle as his armor glistened in the sun. The exotic steed for someone hailing from the outskirts of the Great Desert was appropriately a very large, domesticated blue skinned lizard creature.

"Ambassador Dagel has returned with the ambassador from the Golden City!", the lone knight on the watchtower yelled.

Despite the early hour, the ramparts started to swell with activity as the word of Ambassador Dagel's return began to spread!

Then as the returning Dagel drew nearer to the welcoming gates of the castle, two formations of knights began to line up into two columns. The two rows of knights began to cheer on the ambassador along with his honored guest the Sun lizard. It was unclear visually how such adulation was affecting the Sun lizard who remained very pensive. Though to Dagel as well as his three knights the lathering of cheers had plastered broadening grins on all of them.

The cacophony of cheers announcing Ambassador Dagel's arrival were very much audible from inside the city. The cheers from outside the city caused a growing anticipation within each citizen.

Bertrum, the sheriff of the city stood unamused outside of his humble abode.

A man shouted at Bertrum from over the stone retaining wall that circled his front yard," Can you believe it? A Sun lizard from the Golden City is about to enter into our city!"

Bertrum simply answers sarcastically, "Will the wonders of Wundergaard never cease."

"Have you ever met one of these Sun Lizards?", Leon asked as he came out of Bertrums front door.

"Never.", Bertrum replied, "I have met other lizard people though never one hailing from the fabled Golden City."

"What is the difference between a Sun Lizard hailing from the Golden City and any other?", Leon asked.

"The Sun Lizards are much more advanced than not only their fellow Lizard laymen but our civilization as well. They live in a hidden Golden City on the outskirts of the Great Desert. The legend of the Sun Lizards inventions within the Golden City are mythical. The Sun Lizards are also said to live for hundreds of years. Though other than there brilliant branding, I couldn't tell you." Bertrum explains.

"Do you know what brings value to either a gem or a book or anything else?", Bertrum then asks Leon.

"How many one has of either of items that is deemed valuable.", Leon ventures a guess.

"On the contrary, rarity is what brings value to something. The legend of the Sun Lizards Golden City is only as valuable as our knowledge of it. Which remains virtually nil, this makes the Sun Lizards brand as well as the Golden City one of the most exclusive and perhaps most valuable brands of real estate on Wundergaard." Burtrum explains.

"The Sun Lizards must have shown Dagel some of their legendary inventions while he was inside the Golden City. Otherwise, Dagel would not have gone to all this trouble to negotiate with the Sun Lizards. Though what must the Sun Lizards want in return for their troubles? What would bring them out of hiding?", Leon puts forth.

"You raise some astute questions my boy." Burtrum says admiringly.

Suddenly, Bertrum along with his nephew found themselves in their own company when the neighbor beside them ran off to join a growing crowd amassing along the dirt street.

"Where are the knights performing crowd control?", Bertrum asked.

"I don't see any knights performing crowd control.", Leon put forth.

"Precisely my point.", Bertrum said as he continued scanning the masses of people flooding down the street. "There is a flood of excitable people pouring down towards the front gates of the city! This can very easily turn into a wayward situation if there isn't some kind of blockade set up. Let us head in the direction of the crowd as we might have to help disperse some of them if they get out if control."

As the two men run towards the large crowd of people, Leon being the younger of the two gets farther ahead of Bertrum who shouts at him," Don't go into the crowd or we might become separated! Wait for me by the side street!"

Leon heeding the word of his uncle stops at the corner of a walkway which is itself covered with many people as well.

"Let me get a look at what you're seeing!", Bertrum says as he finally catches up to his nephew. Though as Bertrum looks on he is somewhat mortified at how the crowd of people just keeps pushing each other down the street. So far, the crowd presses on in excitement but even in excitement tragedy can occur. "Where are all the knights?" Bertrum asks as he sees none of them along the sidewalks.

"We must hurry as much as we can in the crowd's direction!", Bertrum says as he encourages Leon ahead of him down the crowded sidewalk.

As Burtrum along with Leon advance slowly amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowd, there seemed to be a point of stagnation forming. It appears that a bottle neck had formed from the masses of people near the entrance of the city. It was also apparent from the rank of people in front of Bertrum, that neither he nor his nephew could proceed no further.

The cheers from the crowd became more quiet with but a few smatterings of commentary being heard amongst the onlookers. Then as the steel gates leading into the city begin to raise there were other more commanding voices barking orders!

A segment of knights at the front gate were not only barking orders to the crowd but, the knights began to physically force back pedestrians. This was in order to make room for the returning Ambassador along with his Sun Lizard guest through the entranceway.

Bertrum sarcastically comments, "It is a little late to employ crowd control now at this stage."

It occurs to Burtrum in the moment that the crowd must start moving in the opposite direction. So, Bertrum starts shouting to his area of the crowd," We must start backing up the crowd in order for the Ambassador's troupe to get back into the city. If we can just start getting the crowd to start backing up slowly enough, we can widen a path for Ambassador Dagel!"

Those that recognize Sheriff Bertrum start to help corral people away from the from entrance. It is a slow-moving effort but with Leon along with some good citizens the crowded street starts to flow steadily backward.

In acknowledgment of Bertrum's effort a widening girth of area starts to open up at the front entrance. Then Bertrum sees the first horse enter through the gate, it is the one carrying the flag of High-Rain. Then the other three horses form a line behind the first...until the large blue lizard creature with its Sun Lizard lumbers on into the city as well.

A formation of knights from outside of the city start to pour in from behind the returning Ambassadors troupe to form a blockade of knights. Bertrum was thankful for the knight's aide from the other end of the crowd as he was tired of yelling at the crowd to back up. The elation from the crowd seemed mixed at this point as some people were enthralled by the sight of the visiting Sun Lizard while others appeared actually frightened and wanted nothing to do with the newly arrived guest.

Burtrum along with Leon and a handful of the pedestrians who helped him disperse the crowd staired in awe at the large blue lizard carrying its Sun Lizard down the street. There was still a large number of people in the street, the remnants of the masses who were blocking the way forward for the Ambassadors troupe. This mass of people was literally trapped in the middle as the way forward as well as backward was unyielding for the time being as well as the sidewalks which were already full of people.

The knights pushing forward with their entourage had no choice but to allow them time to disperse.

No one was prepared for the panic that happened next after someone yelled from within the crowd, "There's a snake! A bright red snake under my feet!"

Thats when the slowly moving crowd became a stampede of panic!

There were many within the crowd of screaming people crying out that they had been bitten or were being attacked by several snakes!

The only thing for sure was that the crowd was trampling themselves trying to escape the snakes under foot!

Bertrum was trying to think of how to calm the crowd when a spectacular light burst forth at the feet of the panicked crowd! The crowd's panic was instantly quelched as was seen in the afterglow of the sudden burst as its effects stunned the crowd into an idle daze of confusion. The knights began to disperse the now dazzled crowd much easier in order to clear a path. It was made apparent that the creator of the sunburst happened to be the Sun Lizard as he was pointing at where he fired off his missile, which happened to be a Golden Arrow that was now stuck in the dirt. An effort was then made to retrieve the Sun Lizards golden arrow from the ground which it was plugged into when it was quickly plucked up from the ground by someone else. The man who snatched the golden arrow was now making a hasty retreat with it! Another man wearing green pants and matching jacket emphasized the theft by shouting, " Someone is stealing the golden arrow shot forth by the Sun Lizard!"

Immediately, Bertrum gave chase to the thief who was a smaller man wearing green overalls as he ran away down the opposite sidewalk! Bertrum could barely catch up to the thief, who appeared much farther away from him. Bertrum despite giving up a good distance kept the chase with each panted breath. Then as the arrow thief ducked down a passageway about a block away from him his nephew ran past him saying, "I'll try to catch him uncle!"

Leon sped on down the passageway where he then saw the arrow thief exiting the alleyway from the other end! There was no doubt in Leons mind that he had no chance of catching up to the thief, but he ran in pursuit anyway! When Leon came out at the other end of the passageway all he saw was a bunch of passersby as well as a stray cat slinking down the wall of the sidewalk.

Leon stood and waited until his uncle Bertrum joined him at the other end of the passageway. When Burtrum met up with Leon he urged his nephew," I came ahead to warn you that the owner of that arrow will be making his way to join us."

No sooner did Bertrum warn his nephew did the both of them notice the very tall red skinned humanoid Sun Lizard carrying a long golden bow stroll down the dim alley towards their position. They waited in awe for the owner of the stolen golden arrow to emerge on their side of the passageway.

The deep voiced Sun Lizard resonated as he spoke to both Bertrum and his nephew Leon after emerging from the alleyway," I see that you both failed to retrieve my golden arrow. Do you have any idea how long it takes for one single golden arrowhead to be forged?" The Sun Lizard not expecting an answer then began to survey the area around him with its sharp black slitted eyes.

To Leons surprise he watched as his uncle begins to communicate with the very tall as well as intimidating Sun Lizard," I am truly sorry for what took place. As sheriff of High-Rain I would like to give you my solemn promise that I will track down the thief who stole your golden arrow. You have my word that I along with my nephew Leon will leave no door un-knocked, no barrel unturned nor a clue uncovered in seeking out and recovering your precious golden arrow."

A vexed look of concern washed over Leons face after his uncle promised that he too was nominated in helping to retrieve the Sun Lizards Golden arrow.

The Sun Lizard replied dismissively," It takes two Solar Cycles or 22 years to forge but one of the golden tips of my arrowheads."

"That is a most amazing if not pain stacking process.", Bertrum said with a smile not at all minding the dismissiveness shown to him. " Please allow me to introduce myself as Sheriff Burtrum along with my nephew Leon. Though please do tell me how you would like to be addressed."

The Sun Lizard then stroked a red sash running along his golden shoulder plate which showed the hereditary of a yellow circle with squiggly lines shooting from it, "This is my symbol of the Sun, I belong to the Sun Warrior class, you may call me Sasalos."

Though before the conversation between Sasalos and Bertrum could continue it is interrupted by Ambassador Dagel who is on his brown horse accompanied by his entourage, riding their own horses. The Ambassador is then promptly helped off his horse by a pair of knights. Upon his dismount, Ambassador Dagel briskly makes his way over towards Burtrum, Leon and Sasalos. The stalwart Sasalos watches as the tall grey robbed Dagel accuses Burtrum directly," How did this happen? As Sheriff, you should have taken precautions against this sort of criminality."

Burtrum was about to explain to Dagel the circumstances when instead his nephew spoke up for him," My uncle tried to take precautions yesterday when he made a special plea to King Faraday for more aide in the capture of some bandits who have been committing a series of thefts. The king allowed me to help my uncle, though as you can see, he did not commit any other knights to the cause."

A doddering Dagel insisted almost in defiance to the young upstarts claim," Your uncle was denied knights aide by King Faraday because the safeguarding of myself as well as our gracious guest was deemed more important. Not catching some common criminals within High-Rain."

"What about crowd control?", Burtrum casually mentioned.

"What about crowd control?", the tall-thin ambassador with equally thinning brown hair quipped back defensively.

Burtrum insisted," Your son, Cassius the captain of the knights did neglect proper crowd control. You do know that crowd control does constitute itself as safety. "More like no crowd control.", Leon added. Bertrum then added, "I was trying not to be too critical of poor Cassius as I know he had a lot on his plate concerning the protection of our royal guest from the Golden City."

"I am making a record of this insolence from the both of you. When I have time, I will put in on record to the king but for right now my duty is to escort my guest to the castle.", Dagel insists.

"That will not be necessary ambassador Dagel, you can inform your king that my duty is to retrieve that which has been stolen from me. My golden arrow.", Sasaros insists.

In disbelief Dagel pleads," I assure you Sasalos, my son along with his knights are scouring the city looking for your golden arrow. They will find it for you, I promise."

"Your son can search the city all he wants. Though from what I have heard Sheriff Burtrum tell you it was your son's negligence which helped cause the incident in the crowd which lead to me having my golden arrow stolen in the first place. No, I prefer to hunt down these criminals personally so that I can take back what is mine. That is my final decision as a guest in your city."

A frustrated Dagel concedes to his special guest's decision in order to remain in good favor with him. Though before he mounts his brown horse once more in order to ride off to the castle, he takes a bow in Sasaros direction in good faith. The ambassador also then tells Burtrum, "You will inform me immediately as to when King Faraday can expect his honored guest from the Golden City."

Bertrum gives a cursory bow with his hand saying," I will tell you once our honored guest is ready for me to do so."

Ambassador Dagel seemingly to frustrated to reply again with the help of his fellow knights again mounts his brown horse.

In a deep voice, Sasalos slyly tells Burtrum and his nephew Leon, " I do not expect your king to wait for my company very much longer." The Sun Lizards implication leads Burtrum to suspect that Sasalos has the means in tracking down the thief who stole his golden arrow.

In a shadowy room somewhere in High-Rains city the short man in green overalls who stole the golden arrow of Sasalos is eyeing his prized possession in a corner of the room atop a large brown chest. The man dressed in a green jacket is sitting at a wooden table across from another much shorter but stockier man dressed in an orange shirt, green pants and large brown boots.

"Why are you admiring that golden arrow so much?", The short brutish brown bearded dwarf asked as his big brown boots dangled above the floor.

"Oh, Lo-Pole if you could have only seen with your own eyes what this golden arrow did. Then you to would be admiring it as well.", the curly blonde-haired man with a goatee fondling the golden arrow replied back.

"Quick Change was lucky enough to be so low to the ground when slithering as a snake at the time that arrow exploded. Otherwise, we would not have that golden arrow in our possession right now.", the black mustached man in his green jacket stated.

"It was lucky enough that the orchestrator of this caper knew the Sun Lizard would even use such an arrow on the crowd.", Lo-Pole surmised.

"Well, he knew his target well. It was a splendid prediction on his part.", the black mustached man concurred.

"You're kidding yourself Gafferty, it was a lucky prediction. I'll give him props that it played itself nicely though now I just want my cut of the profit.", Lo-Pole states.

Gafferty admits, "As do we all my friend. Though we have to just sit tight as there is no sure way out of the city now. We played our parts well, so shall we duly be rewarded for our efforts."

Outside from where the three bandits hid, still near the alleyway with Bertrum and his nephew, Sasalos retraces the events leading from the scene of the crime up to where they last left off.

Sasalos then asks Leon a specific question, "What do you remember seeing after you chased the thief from the alleyway?"

Bertrum excepts Sasalos line of questioning put forth to Leon, he just wonders if his nephew can answer it clearly.

'I just remember seeing a few passersby, though not the thief. As soon as I came out of the ally he was nowhere to be seen.", Leon concluded.

Sasalos accepts Leons answer without saying a word. Then the Sun Lizard holds his long golden bow out as he draws back the string, holding it sideways, he surveys' the area with it. Burtrum suspects that the bow can detect the golden arrows it deals out.

As Bertrum watches Sasalos train his bow along a specific pathway. The pathways direction is along the side of the building going down the block. It is the same direction where the thief ran off in, however Sasalos' bow seems to be drawn downward towards a drainage gate. Sasalos trains his bow again and again to make certain its indication is true until he placed his bow back around his shoulder.

"Is there something that you noticed about that drainage grate?", Bertrum asks.

"The heat signature from my stolen arrow emanates strongest at that point.", Sasalos answers.

"So, you can track down your arrows with that bow?", Burtrum inquired.

"Precisely.", Sasalos answers in agreement before he also adds," In addition my bow can track others who have either touched or been hit by one of my golden arrows."

"Thats why you wanted clarification on what Leon saw when after he chased the thief out of the alleyway.", Bertrum mentioned.

As if finally realizing something Leon shouts out, "A cat! I also saw a black cat! The cat Slinked off in the direction that Sasalos pointed in with his bow.", Though upon shouting out the detail Leon admitted timidly," If that will help at all."

Bertrum also had a faint realization, one in which might be connected to the heat signature that diverged from the drainage grate.

"A snake and a cat, two animals with maybe one connection.", Bertrum then offered the connection between them, "A thief."

Sasalos drawing his bow once again and pointed it in the direction where the black cat as well as the thief went off in declaring," Precisely! Now I propose that we follow this faint heat signature to see where it leads."

"By all means Sasalos, lead the way.", Bertrum enthusiastically replied as he begins to wonder if there were other elements about the bandits that he has been tracking for so long had been ignored. Bertrum begins to realize that there may not only have been three bandits committing the petty crimes but that perhaps one or all of them were magically gifted in some way. It had something to do with the animals mentioned, the snake and the cat. Though Bertrum could not piece all of it together right now, he supposed that he may find out soon enough.

"When are they coming?", an aggravated Lo-Pole demanded.

"They will be here sometime today. I keep telling you.", Gafferty answered pleadingly.

The pointy eared thief called Quick Change who had originally stolen Sasalos' arrow decided to bring it over to the table where Gafferty and Lo-Pole were sitting.

"Get that thing away from me!", Lo-Pole argued as Quick Change placed the golden arrow on the table.

"Let's all play spin the arrow!", Quick Change said as he gave the golden arrow a spin on the table.

The golden arrow was unable to spin on the table very well due to the tail feathers on its shaft.

"What was the point of that?", Gafferty asked Quick Change as the arrow pointed at Lo-Pole who was frowning at the prank befallen him.

Then Lo-Poles eyes widened with awe as the tip of the golden arrow on the table began to spark. "Get it away from me Changeling!"

Quick Change was not certain if he should touch the arrow again let alone grab it off the table. Then thankfully the sparks stopped, which eased everyone's nerves.

The golden arrow was quickly grabbed by Quick Change who was about to place it in the chest along with many other stolen items when a loud explosion burst open the window of the room! The explosion came from a golden arrow shot threw the widow! The table was now on fire where the two other thieves were sitting at as both of them lay unconscious from the explosion after being knocked off their chairs!

"We've been found out!", Quick Change shouted as he instinctively changed his form into a gray owl! Then with his stolen golden arrow, Quick Change in his owl form flew out the burst window to escape with his prize!

Sasalos had already prepared another arrow to fire with his bow as Quick Change flew out of the shattered window! Sasalos wasted no time in dispatching his perfectly aimed arrow as it struck Quick Change midair!

The owl spiraled down after being shot in its feathered chest! Though when Sasalos, Bertrum and Leon gathered before the fallen form of the owl all they saw was the thief in green overalls with an arrow in his chest holding the golden arrow of Sasalos.

"A Changeling!", Burtrum yelled out in answer to the missing piece of his puzzle." One of the bandits was a Changeling all along."

"Precisely.", Sasalos answered as he calmy retrieved his stolen golden arrow only to break off the arrowhead and place it into a pouch on his belt. Obviously, it being the golden tip of the arrow which was the most valuable to Sasalos.

In the distance the fire brigade was dealing with the small fire where the bandits were hiding out in. There were also knights in the area now, which kept clear the crowd that was forming.

The Changeling who was dying started to mutter, "It... should have...been a bat..." before he uttered not a word more.

"You can tell your King Farady that I will not be meeting with him this day. If he wants to meet with me, it will have to be in a more dignified setting. Your Ambassador Dagel knows that I have made camp not far off. He knows where to contact me when his King has given him his answer. It was nice to have met your acquaintance Sheriff Bertrum and yours as well young Leon. Perhaps we will meet again.", Sasalos says as his large blue skinned lizard lays on its stomach awaiting his owner.

"What about your other arrow?", Burtrum yells out as the Sun Lizard walks off with his tail swaying from side to side.

"I never retrieve the red tipped arrows. They are disposable as well as poisoned.", Sasalos replies.

A voice yells out at the Sun Lizard who begins riding away on his large lizard steed towards the front gates of the castle," Where is my father's guest going? What happened here?"

The voice belonged to Ambassador Dagel's son Cassius who was atop a white horse.

"I guess you'll have to ask Sasalos yourself.", Bertrum tells Cassius while adding, "before he gets away."

"No!", Cassius yells out as he hits his horses' sides in order to get after his father's insurance policy.

Bertrum then tells his nephew, "Let's go back to my place for some dining. Then you can spend the night before you go back to the barracks."

"What about the Changeling?", Leon askes his uncle.

"I will sort out his whereabouts tomorrow in the mortuary.", Bertrum grimly notes.