Chapter Two: "The Diplomatic Route"


After a good night's sleep, Adam awoke to the sound of knocking on his bedroom door.

No, wait.

More like pounding.

Loud pounding.

And now shouting.

"ADAM!"

It was purely recognizable - Teela.

"ADAM! WAKE UP!"

Adam sat up with a start. That insufferable woman was knocking so hard on his door he thought it might just fly off its hinges.

"What . . . ?" he groaned.

Immediately, the door went flying open. Cringer leapt about ten feet into the air in pure shock. Adam shot up from his laying position. Teela came barging right in.

"GET UP! GET DRESSED! GET DOWNSTAIRS! NOW!"

"Wha . . . ? Why?" Adam questioned, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"An ambassador from Darksmoke just showed up."

"Darksmoke . . . a Dragon?"

"A Troll, you dummy! Get up and get down there NOW!"

"Ugh . . . all right . . ."

By the time Adam made himself look presentable (and much like many guys from his mothers homeworld, it didn't take long at all) and got the throne room, whatever formalities had taken place were over with. Adam managed to slip into the large chamber without anyone the wiser. A few of the other Heroic Warriors were present, including Sy-Klone, Stratos, Ram-Man, Roboto, and Moss Man.

The ambassador from Darksmoke was an ugly creature wearing far too many robes in far too many colors. He banged his staff onto the ground before he finally spoke.

"I have come regarding the assassination attempt on He-Man's life yesterday afternoon," the ambassador named Shrugg. "Since your kingdom is most affiliated with the guardian of Grayskull, I assumed you would be willing to help him. I would think that after so many times of saving your life that you would do the same to him."

Adam noticed that Shrugg was making a lot of assumptions regarding his father, but was surprised to see the King taking them in such stride.

"That is true, Ambassador. How can we help He-Man?"

"What were the findings of the arrows the assassins attacked with? If they are what we believe they are, then Granamyr will aide you. If not, then you stand your own."

Man-At-Arms spoke up. "From what we can gather, our sources tell us they were fashioned by Elves of the former kingdom of Dellos."

There was no look of surprise on Randor or Marlena's face, which meant that Man-At-Arms had filled them in on the going's on.

"Your sources are correct, then," Shrugg confirmed.

"Just how is that possible, ambassador?" asked Randor. "The kingdom of Dellos vanished centuries ago!"

"I can not explain it myself. Only my master knows."

Who Shrugg was referring to was Granamyr, master of the Dragons of Eternia. Granamyr was far from a friend of Men or many other forms of life on Eternia. However, Granamyr had found an ally in He-Man and Man-At-Arms. His willingness to communicate to He-Man through a third party (Randor and Eternos) showed Adam that Granamyr's distrust of humanity was waning just slightly.

"Just who will get in touch with your master?" asked Marlena.

"He has asked that He-Man, Man-At-Arms, and three guests travel to Darksmoke to negotiate with the Elves of Dellos. Granamyr was once a close ally with the leader of the Elves 1,000 years ago."

As quickly as Adam slipped in, he slipped back out. No one noticed, save Man-At-Arms, who gave him only the most subtle of nods.

Two minutes after Adam vanished from the throne room, He-Man entered. He came through the main doors and got everyone's attention.

"Prince Adam just told me the news about my attempted assassination. Shrugg, what are Granamyr's terms?"

"He-Man, a pleasure to be in the presence of a man of such heroism," Shrugg attempted, though his flattery sounded much more like mockery.

"Thank you, ambassador," He-Man then responded. "What is the problem we're facing, Shrugg?"

"I can not say much beyond what Granamyr has requested. The Elves did indeed attempt to kill you. Granamyr is willing to help, as he and the Elven leader were once allies. As long as only you, Man-At-Arms and three companions are the only ones that go Darksmoke, then he shall. I am sorry to say that these terms are non-negotiable."

"Understood then. Teela? Are you up for a trip?" He-Man asked of her.

"Sure thing, He-Man.

"What about you, Moss Man? Ram-Man?"

"You betcha, He-Man!" Ram-Man answered.

"The same goes for me."

He-Man turned back to Shrugg. "Looks like I've got my three."

"So be it. Granamyr awaits your arrival. I would advise you to be there soon, lest another assassin decides to take another attempt at your life."

"Your concern is dually noted."

Shrugg only grunted in reply.


Two hours later, a Talon Fighter blasted off from Eternos and headed northwest, towards Darksmoke Mountain, home of Granamyr, king of Dragons. Man-At-Arms and Teela were both in the cockpit, chatting. In the backseat, He-Man sat with Ram-Man and Moss Man. Ram-Man and Moss Man were busy chatting about rocks and plants (and what a sensational conversation that was).

He-Man, for the most part, was left alone and he preferred it that way. He hated being in the line of fire - especially when it involved someone he wasn't familiar with. These were assassins, taking potshots at his life. What did he do to these people? Who were they to try and kill him?

The Talon Fighter took a sharp turn. He-Man was yanked away from his innermost thoughts and looked out his window. A large, green Dragon went soaring away.

"Barely missed that one," Man-At-Arms stated, a little shocked.

"Here we are," said Teela. "Darksmoke Mountain."

They all gazed out the window and watched as they descended towards a huge mountain, on top of which was a massive dome that served as Granamyr's seat of power. The Talon Fighter swung in close to the dome and landed right before its mammoth doors.

A pair of Trolls marched right over to them, grunted, and looked them over.

"Come from Eternos, do ya?" asked one of them.

"Yes. I am He-Man," he confirmed.

"Am'assdor Shugg met ya, did he not? Aye, he did," the other said. 'Enter, then, and see the master of Dragons - the wise and powerful Granamyr!"

They all exchanged glances, and then walked in. Above them, a cry of a Dragon captured their attention and they paused. The Dragon appeared and went flying west. They were large creatures, full of great majestic beauty and power.

The Heroic Warriors entered the palace. Guided by memory, He-Man and Man-At-Arms lead the other three to the large doors belonging to Granamyr's high chamber. Without so much a knock, He-Man opened the doors.

Granamyr, large and covered in thick, red scales, sat at the edge of a gold-filled pit. All around the circular room were huge piles of treasures from the past and the present. He grinned at him, the horned helmet remaining in place as he stood up.

"Greetings, He-Man and guests."

"Granamyr, greetings from Eternos," He-Man answered.

"There is a great danger here, He-Man. The Elves are blaming you for a powerful crime and are willing to go war over it."

"What kind of crime?"

Granamyr shrugged. "I'm not sure. They certainly aren't telling me."

"Are they sure it was me?"

"Very positive. They could even sense the power of Grayskull in their realm."

He-Man glanced at Man-At-Arms with a little reluctance.

"I'm not sure if I understand this," Teela said suddenly. "How could He-Man could be there? He's been on Eternia the entire time."

"True. There are facts I am unaware of, woman. However, you are all quite lucky that my old ties with the Elves still remain. We Dragons and the Elves share certain interests and concerns regarding Eternia."

"The Elves gave up Eternia. Just how can they still worry about it if they left?" asked Moss Man.

"They came from Eternia, did they not? They began their time here before leaving for their own realm. This was their home once and in some ways, it still is. But that is all the besides the point, guardian of the plants."

"How serious are the Elves in their threat of war?" Man-At-Arms questioned.

"Very serious. Serious enough to sent scouts from their dimension. Serious enough to contact me. This situation is dire to say the least."

"What can we do about it?"

"I have been able to talk to the Elves. They are willing to allow you into their realm to investigate the matter. This was not an easy agreement to come by, of course, but they are just as willing to get to the bottom of this as you certainly are."

"Of course," He-Man answered. "And just how will we get into this realm?"

"Travel to Dellos. There is an active gateway there. Enter it and then the situation will unfold from there." Granamyr then pulled out a box. Within was a scroll with a map to Dellos and a golden charm with a large Dragon atop a mountain stamped on it. "Take this map. It will show you the way. Take this charm, also. It will show the Elves that you came to me and are seeking the uneasy peace that we three have formed."

He-Man turned to the others. "You heard the Dragon. Let's do it."


Four long hours of travel of the calm seas of the Ocean of Gnarl. They were just passing the terminator into night as they came close to the island had told them about. It stood some twenty miles east of the boarder of the Dark Hemisphere. The island kingdom of Dellos looked at once overrun with plant growth, but He-Man could very easily see long-forgotten structures standing out amongst the fifteen miles of island.

"There's a clear area," Teela advised.

"I see it," Man-At-Arms replied. "All right, everyone, stay strapped in and prepare for landing."

The Talon Fighter thrusted forward just a little and the ship careened slowly towards a clearing along an long and broken cobblestone walk-way. It landed with ease and the party from Eternos exited.

As soon as Moss Man's feet touched the ground, his yellow eyes widened. "This place - !" he shouted.

All eyes fell on him. "What is it?" asked He-Man.

Moss Man waved his hand an inch or so over the grass. "It's so old!" His expression was that of pure wonder and amazement. "I've heard of Elven kingdoms being full of wonders, but nothing like this!" Moss Man then turned to a tree and rushed over. He placed his hands on it and all could see the effect.

"Are you okay?"

"Okay! This place is ancient! These trees may just be older than Skytree itself!"

He-Man was ready to move on, but Man-At-Arms spoke before He-Man even began to think of a polite way of breaking Moss Man's mood.

"What can they tell us of the Elves, Moss Man?" asked Man-At-Arms. He-Man mentally kicked himself. Sometimes Grayskull's wisdom just didn't work for him.

"They're peaceful . . . kind . . ." Moss Man replied, listening to the tree's silent words. "Great caretakers. They've been gone for many seasons, but two came back not long ago . . ."

"The assassins," Teela assumed.

Moss Man continued to listen. "Yes. Yes. They had weapons and . . . oh . . . they're here now."

Man-At-Arm's eyes widened. "What!"

Just then, the two assassins appeared, clad in long green ponchos. They produced their long bows and arrows and aimed straight at the group.

"One false move and one of you falls," commanded the tallest of the pair, the one of the left.

Teela moved her gun, but He-Man shook his head. "Of course," He-Man told the Elves then.

"You are here for either one of two reasons."

"We've spoken with Granamyr," Man-At-Arms told them, "and have come from Eternos."

"Where is his mark?"

Man-At-Arms produced the charm given to them by Granamyr. He held it high. Still ready to fire, the Elf squinted, his incredible vision analyzing the details of the charm. His magic confirmed the authenticity of the material.

The Elves stepped back, but kept their bows raised.

"Follow this road. It will take you to a crossroads. Turn right and you will be take to a pavilion. We will be there. Go now."

"What about you?" asked He-Man.

But before the words let his mouth, the Elves dashed off into the woods. They moved like the wind, feet barely making a sound as they rushed off.

"They're going to be watching us. They'll see us while we won't see them," Man-At-Arms told them. "A nice strategy."

"Comforting," Moss Man grumbled.

"Just keep your weapons down," He-Man told them. "And let's move it."

Teela glanced at her father and the two exchanged an unspoken thought. He-Man was frustrated over this whole situation.

"After you," Ram-Man spoke up.

The walked along the path for quite some time, the island apparently much larger than they thought. Dawn was coming and in the orange light that was shining across the land of Dellos, the party from Eternos was both paranoid and interested. Huge, abandoned buildings lined the path, and every now and then, overgrown statues blocked their way.

After about an hour and a half, the path took them out from some deep woods and next to a huge cliff. It was they saw the palace that once stood at Dellos. They all stopped to take in the sight. The palace was huge with tall white towers and structures. Golden domes cape them off. Huge vines and trees grew wildly all around it, but they looked ever so natural, as they were part of the palace.

"We better keep moving," advised Man-At-Arms.

"Right."

And so the group continued on, the island a point of remarkable beauty. What could have driven them away? What could have made them want to leave?

After another twenty minutes, they arrived at crossroads. The road going to the left led to a bridge, which appeared to go to the palace. The one to the right led to another small forest. If they continued on they were on, it would take them to over a hill.

They turned right and went into the small forest. Very soon, they were at the circular pavilion. On the opposite side of them was a pair of pillars. Right next to it was a tall, nine-foot statue of an Elf. At that moment, the two assassins, appeared, leaping onto the pavilion, arrows aimed.

"No funny business," one grumbled. Its associate pulled out a wand tapped it on the state. Suddenly, bright blue light appeared between the pillars.

The first assassin entered and the second one pointed to the portal.

"Enter. Now."

He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Teela, Moss, and Ram-Man complied, each entering into the blue light.