@Wow, 20+ reviews, you guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the compliments, *blush* tee hee. This chapter's a little long but I assure you it is quite fun. I hope it doesn't disappoint, and yes, this concludes the Prelude. Hopefully, I won't keep you hanging for you too long! Thanks, now enjoy!!

Disclaimer: LoD is not mine

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"What is it?"

"Monster that attacked master," Kongol commented.

"A dragon?" Miranda wondered aloud.

Albert's face scrunched up at the thought, "I would hate to think such a horrid creature is related to the majestic dragon. Though it is scaled and winged, I would call it more demon than dragon."

Dart opened the pink beasts mouth to discover a maw like none he'd ever seen before. Rows of jagged teeth seemed to be all that inhabited the cavity. Blood stained the first few rows and its front talons, "Lloyd was injured in the fight," he surmised.

"More fuel to the fire: Lloyd knows what they are and how to kill them," Miranda commented. "Just another reason to hunt down his sorry hide."

"I have to get back home," Albert suddenly blurted out. He looked to his companions apologetically. "I know we agreed to see Princess Lisa first, but we can just as easily send her message of the happenings. Going to Tiberoa first will just mean we'll have to take the long way home, and I feel I need to be in Serdio."

Miranda put her hand on the king's shoulder reassuringly, "Well, then Al, let's get going."

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Lloyd waited a few minutes before leaving, giving himself as much distance from Ellis as possible. He left a tip for the half-drunk mug of ale and sauntered out. He sauntered right into the hilt of Ellis' sword and falling backwards to the ground caught the man's chuckle before loosing consciousness.

Lloyd groaned as the world slowly made its way back into his mind. He opened his eyes and pushed himself up off the ground. Shakily, he stood up and surveyed his surroundings. A dungeon cell. From outside the wall of bars a Serdian guard stood watch apprehensively beside Ellis who sat rather casually. The glee that flickered in the man's eyes made it quite apparent he was very amused.

Lightning flashed in the Wingly's eyes and reaching into his vest, he summoned the power of the Thunder Dragon. Nothing happened.

Ellis laughed and gestured to the corner. Lloyd's line of sight swept to the corner where a long staff with a collection of crystals on its top leaned against the wall. It glowed a faint purple. Lloyd sneered at the contemptuous device.

"Consider it a 'welcome back' gift," Ellis remarked as he got up. He turned to the guard, "Don't for any reason remove that staff or let that wingly out of that cell – you have here Lavitz Slambert's murderer."

The guards eyes went wide. His child's face gave way to how wet behind the ears he was but he looked to have enough wits to obey Ellis. The teen nodded but said nothing.

"You lied to me!" Lloyd snarled.

Ellis did a doubletake at the wingly's seldom seen anger. He composed himself just as quickly though, "Please, you're not the only one who can pull a fast one on his 'friends'." He got up and turned to leave.

Lloyd sprang to the bars of the cell, "Ellis, you can't do this! You don't understand, the king is-"

"Is what, a human?" Ellis turned on his heel to face Lloyd, "It must kill you, you misanthropic bastard, that your fate is going to be decided by some lowly human." He smiled smugly.

"No, you don't understand . . ." he eyed Ellis, regaining himself and then debating whether or not he wanted to reveal any more to him. He realized he didn't, "You're ruining everything."

"You ruined it for yourself," Ellis quipped disdainfully. He turned and gave a quick wave as he left the room, "Goodbye old friend, I hope the next place we meet will be in hell."

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Albert sat at his desk going over all the reports of everything he had missed. Though he had only been away for a few days, a mountain of paperwork loomed in front of him. Somewhat thoughtlessly he began skimming the documents before him and signing where appropriate. Emille was a pleasant distraction as she entered his study carrying a teapot and two cups on a tray.

"Ah, my dear, come to save me from the toils of my sovereignty?" Albert greeted.

Emille smiled. She put down the tray and went over to Albert to kiss him on the forehead, "Anything for you my love." Albert kissed her back and then cleared a spot for the tea while Emille set it out. Atleast in the privacy of the study they didn't have to play on formalities.

"Fortunately, the country was mostly uneventful while you were gone," Emille commented as she took a sip of her tea.

Albert nodded, "I can see that." He gestured to the pile of paper and they both laughed.

"Lady Miranda and the giganto, Kongol, are enjoying the city right now. They've already settled in as much to the rooms you gave them. Dart has gone to Seles to get Shana. He said they should be back by tonight which is all well considering the feast I've arranged in celebration of your return."

Albert blushed slightly but hid it by picking up a random report and pretending to read it. Somewhere between pretending to and actually reading the document, he picked up: 'Apprehension of murderer of Lavitz Slambert' and nearly choked on his tea. Emille stood as her husband gasped for breath. Albert stood as well, gesturing that everything was fine. He muttered an apology and sped for all his legs could take him to the dungeons.

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Albert steadied himself to a carried pace as he entered the cell the arrest report had stated Lloyd was in. Sure enough, the wingly sat staring blankly at the floor on one of the cell's benches. He didn't bother to get up as the king approached him but the guard snapped to attention.

"Your Majesty! I thought you might be down here, an anonymous citizen brought him in," the boy exclaimed. "He left that," he pointed to the Dragon Block Staff, "and told me not to touch it. I did as he said, sir, the man sounded like he knew what he was talking about."

Albert's mirth could not be contained nor hidden. He smiled and waved the guard away, "Good, very good boy, now leave us." The teen did as he was instructed. Albert turned to face Lloyd fully, "Well, this is a delicious turn of events," he remarked.

"Oh, you have no idea," Lloyd said sarcastically.

Albert walked as close to the bars as he dare, watching the captive within like a hawk. Lloyd in turn was watching him with his usual smug smirk plastered across his face. "I bet this has put a damper in your plans."

"How astute."

"If you tell me what you know about these creatures attacking us I may be lenient on your sentencing," the king managed, gritting his teeth as he did so.

"Creatures? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Please, Lloyd, don't insult me. Remain silent if you wish, but I'll have none of your head games."

"Save me the effort, I suppose," Lloyd stood and stretched. The wingly man was leanly but powerfully built though he often drew back so observers couldn't guess his true strength. After so many battles, his guile still misguided Albert and the rest of the Dragoons. No one was sure of his strengths or his weaknesses, except for maybe his conceit. He was the exact kind of adversary Albert's father had warned him of making.

The king took a step back from the cell bars, still keeping his eyes on Lloyd. "So, you are now the Thunder Dragoon?"

Lloyd nodded and brought out the spirit stone. As always, it glowed in proximity to another dragoon. However due to the effects of the Dragon Block Staff it's glow was faint.

"I thought the Divine Dragon had recognized you."

"The king of dragons recognizes anyone it pleases. Dart's true element is fire but he now holds the Divine spirit. Just as you could, if you were worthy . . ."

Albert rolled his eyes at the insult but absorbed the information all the same. He had been a Dragoon for almost two years now, but there were still so many mysteries surrounding the nature of the thing. Rose had known, she had known everything about Dragoons, but she had sacrificed herself a year ago, and how much did Lloyd know? He probably would never be certain.

"Tell me, boy king, does it bother you that you know nothing about the situation you've been caught in, being the great intellect that you are and all?" Lloyd suddenly questioned.

Albert almost answered, angered by the taunts but then he though better of it, "I'm not playing into your games, and I'm not letting you change the subject."

"How nice of you."

"You'll answer my question-"

"Or what? You'll come in here and beat it out of me? Go ahead, I dare you to open that door." Lloyd said, the sly smile returning to his face. He nodded towards the staff leaning idly against the wall in the corner.

Albert glared at him but said nothing, Lloyd had won that round. As if on cue, the wingly lunged forward towards the king, the cell bars being the only thing between the two. Lightning sparked in the wingly's eyes and he smiled with knowing satisfaction. The king disregarded him as he found himself a seat.

"I would've thought Dart would be the one doing the interrogations." Lloyd remarked.

Albert tried to ignore the man's condescending tone but failed, he was the King of Serdio and no man or wingly had the right to dismiss him so arrogantly, "Dart has other business to attend to."

"Oh, so you're the second choice for this post? I've always hated seconds." Lloyd commented, leaning against the cells bars as he glared at Albert.

The King's eyes narrowed in contempt, but then he regained his usual aloft attitude, "Go ahead, Lloyd, play your games. I am confident in the fact that I am sitting comfortably here," he gestured towards the cushioned chair he was on with a wave of his hand, "and that you, my friend, are in there." he pointed towards the cell with the same hand, " Cramped quarters, no doubt." Albert added with a smirk.

"Well done, my leige." Lloyd replied with a solitary clap and melodramatic bow. The smile which irritated Albert so much, did not fade from his face. "I almost believed my taunts didn't bother you."

That was what made Lloyd such a tiring nemesis; how he could tell you how he was playing with your mind and still it would work on you. The wingly in question shrugged and broadened his smile. He sat down in a corner of the cell and closed his eyes in thought.

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Thanks for reading, Allusia.