It took Gerald a good thirty minutes to enter the main hall. It wasn't because he was tired and needed a brief rest before responding to the summons, or that he was nervous to confront the woman that had betrayed him to the dragon ,or was it a wizard?, though both would have been good answers it was because he was simply confused about the current naming convention.

At first Gerald thought that the main hall must have been a reference to the dining area in the barracks since that was the largest hall in this particular cluster of buildings. Instead he found it occupied by townsfolk, mostly the ones from smaller family units. Then Gerald thought the main hall must have been a reference to the main storage room, since that was probably the most central and important room of this area. That too proved wrong. It wasn't as if he hadn't asked for directions either, but most of the guards or townsfolk pointed him to the previous two areas. Finally when Gerald had given up hope that he would find this spot, he spotted Rolf, the one that had given him the initial summons, on the wall.

"Rolf! Where's this blasted main hall?"

"Oh hey Gerald, why aren't you at the main hall?"

"I would be there if I knew where in the Abyss it was!"

Rolf looked at Gerald dumbly until he pointed up the hill. "Oh, I meant the main entry room of the motte."

Gerald shook his head. He had been up and down this area as a kid, and that was a dumb name for it. That room was neither a hall, nor considered main by any definition. It wasn't central, big, or important. If anything it should have been called the large shoe room instead of taking on the pretentious airs of a main hall.

Annoyed, Gerald marched up the hill to the administrative building. The two militia that stood guard were strapping young lads that wore their mail better than anyone else in the fort so far. They looked like Farmer Green's sons, but it was hard to tell under their helmets.

"Lady Tessa is awaiting you inside," said one with a broken voice as he nervously eyed Gerald. "Umm, we saw what you did at our farm. Err.. thanks."

Gerald wasn't sure what he was afraid of, and then realized he was still wearing that silver armour that Tess poured him into last night. He would have taken it off, but he hadn't been given a chance because of the hectic pace of events, and he also wasn't sure how without assistance.

The two guards escorted Gerald inside to the 'large shoe room'. It was tall for an antechamber, with a half dead foreign shrub in the middle of the room, and a double door opposite from the main doors for entrance into the administrative building. Gerald recalled the shrub was a gift from the local druid, and the mayor at the time thought it would be grand to plant it here, not factoring in that the only source of sun was the half opened roof, which consisted of several chipped panes of glass at a steeped angle, surrounded by questionable wood working.

"You two leave the bard with me," said an imperious voice from above. Gerald scanned the room looking for the source of the voice, while the two Green boys panicked and almost ran into each other as they scrambled out. Yesterday he probably would have joined them and fled as well, but right now Gerald was simply too tired to do so.

As Gerald continued to look, Lady Tessa stepped out from a ledge high above near the half opened roof. Gerald was speechless. Though yesterday he considered her attractive and pretty even after rolling around in a chasm for who knows how long, after a little cleaning up and probably a bath, Lady Tessa was simply stunning. She was wearing a heavy mail shirt instead of her silver plate, but her noble features, striking physique, creamy skin, and her long curly brown hair that fell past her shoulders sucked all his attention from the rest of the stuffy shoe room. Gerald could have been back in the ruined tower, in the middle of a busy market, or even at the royal ball and it wouldn't matter, his attention would have only been focused on her, looking high and mighty as she looked down on him.

When the guards finally left, her strict composure softened. Her shoulders slumped, and even her face took on a kinder demeanor. "Gerald! I'm so glad you made it out of that dragon's tower!" she said as she skipped down a circular staircase.

Tess hugged him when she reached the bottom. "I saw you from up top fighting those goblins you handled them well. I couldn't believe it was you at first, but it was clear who you were when you came reached the bailey," she said as her warm body pressed tightly to his.

Gerald had witnessed her sudden change in personality before, but he still wasn't use to it. "Err, hi," he said nervously. "Tig and the others, you remembered them right? They rescued me. I…umm..I suppose you want your armour back. Or at least I think this is your armour. It resembled your old suit, except well, it's missing the …."

Gerald was at a loss for words. What do you call the breast plate portion of full plate that was molded to resemble a woman's breasts. "…..errr boob plate?"

"It's glammered mithral mail silly, an enchantment that allows you to change the appearance of the armour though not its physical qualities. I'm not as strong as the other members of the Silver Guard, so Lord Beau had it designed for me," she explained. "As for returning it, no. I couldn't take it back. Think of it as payment for your sacrifice so I can free the Prince. You keep it. You can keep the rings and amulet I put on you too to complete your disguise. "

Gerald wanted to point out that he didn't sacrifice himself, but it was she that had sacrificed him to the dragon. The results were the same, but a pretty significant difference in his mind.

"I'm so glad you escaped! I was truly sad that I had to leave you behind, truly I am, but you know my vows to the Prince and all."

"Understandable," lied Gerald. He was still mad, but the edge of his anger had slipped away given the close proximity of the beautiful Tess. Her hot breath, and slight lilac scent, it tempted hm with desire. "So, how did you end up here? I thought you were going to take the Prince away and warn the other towns."

Tess frowned, though even that did little to mar her beauty. "That was my intention, but Prince Aaron recovered and insisted that we come to Daggertalls…"

"Daggerhall," corrected Gerald.

"Aye…Daggerhall and help with the defense. Riddle continued to Cottonsworth, and hopefully he will arrive with reinforcements soon."

Reinforcements? Gerald's hopes rose. The town of Daggerhall was no match for the dragon and the small army of goblins, but reinforcements from Cottonsworth completely changed the game. They had a keep there, real soldiers, and knights. With their help they can rout the goblins and send them packing back to the Dool lands or where ever they hailed from.

"So, did your friends …ummm… did you tell them?" she whispered softly.

"Your secret is safe with me. They didn't need to know, and I can be discreet," said Gerald. Though Mina knew of the Prince's true identity, he didn't think she would be the type to talk wildly. As he thought of the dwarven girl her attention drifted from the beautiful woman in front of him , he wondered what she was doing right now. Even though they only parted paths a few hours ago, he wondered if she still travelling, was she safe, and even if she was thinking of him.

"Anyways, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for everything that I've done to you," said Tess as she hugged him again and regained his attention. "I would have waited till after the battle to tell you this, but the Prince wanted to see you right away."

"What? The P..P..Prince? Wants to see me?"

"Yes silly. Just beyond those doors," said Tessa as she pointed to the double doors on the other side of the shoe room. "Umm…the Prince doesn't receive much guests, given his….err condition. He only deals directly with the Silver Guard, so you should consider it an honour to have an audience with him. Just be careful not to stare and…"

As Tessa gave him instructions, a horn could be heard from the distance. It wasn't a big booming war horn, like one expected from goblins or giants, but a higher pitch horn that played a crisp abbreviated version of the national anthem. Tess scrambled up the circular stairs, and poked her head up into the steeped glass. Gerald had never considered using it as a lookout post, but considered it made sense, due to its relative height.

"It's Sir Ridley and a column of riders from Cottonsworth!" exclaimed Tessa.

Gerald breathed a sigh of relief. All his worry that the town would be razed to the ground vanished at the news of reinforcements. Hopefully, there would be no need to fight, and he could simply sleep through the battle. While a part of him wanted to bear witness to this great conflict between man, dragon, and goblin, he had already seen enough fighting last night to last him for the rest of his life. All he wanted to do was to go to sleep.

"Well, you better see to the Prince," shouted Tessa from high above. "He's going to busy when Riddle gets here, and he might not have time for you after that."

Gerald nodded and turned to the double doors. Was he actually going to meet Prince or Princess Aaron? Was he dressed properly? Should he wash up first? This is what he wanted yesterday, to meet the Prince and offer to record his exploits, but he never thought it would actually happen. Or at least not like this. While he told himself that he would be the Prince's chronicler, it seemed more likely that he would simply follow them and scribe his deeds from a distance. He never expected to be summoned for a meeting with his highness.

"Are you going to take all day? "laughed Tess. "Just go in. He doesn't bite."

Spurred by Tess' urgings, Gerald enter what he recalled as the map room.

Despite its military sounding name, the map room was simply a deed office for the town. It was probably the most used area in the motte, given that the mayor conducted his business from his office in the town proper.

Gerald looked at the scroll filled shelves, and at the big map on the large central table in the middle of the room and saw no sign of the Prince. He did spy a young servant girl though, in a loose fitting button shirt and slacks. While Tess's generous endowments took up much of the slack of her armour, the clothes on this reedy girl just hung loosely from her tawny frame.

"I'll take a wine while I wait," said Gerald.

The short haired girl laughed lightly, and at once Gerald realized his mistake.

"Oh, sorry my Prince..Err Princess… umm Aaron. I just thought, the last time I saw you. Big silver armour," babbled Gerald.

Prince Aaron held up her hand. "No need to apologize. It should be I that should beg forgiveness from you."

"Eh?"

"Lady Tessa over stepped her bounds when she exchanged you for me. As a knight of the Silver Order, it is my job to sacrifice for the people of Westholding not the other way around. Sometimes Tessa and her recently departed father forget this ideal, but I cannot truly fault them for that. She's as loyal as they come, it a bit overzealous."

Gerald nodded. He wanted to add, she's as crazy as they come to, but held his tongue. Why make trouble when everything was aligned in your favour. The Prince seems happy, the army was on its way, and goblin horde was soon to be smashed. Even the dragon or wizard or whatever it was would get its comeuppance, if Tig and her gang had their way. Everything was going to be alright.

"When I heard what Tessa had done, I …I was furious with her. She and Ridley wanted to escort me back to Cottonsworth to gather a proper army, but I would have none of it. I can suffer the humiliation of being ambushed and captured by the wizard and his goblins, but I would not sacrifice this town to them."

"Wait…you know that the dragon is a wizard too?"

Aaron gave Gerald an appraising look and then smiled. "I can not prove it, but it's my suspicion. I told this to Tessa and Riddle, but they did not agree with me. You however, I suspect you have some further insight, given your ordeal and escape from the ruined tower."

"Well, dragons supposedly have incredibly heightened senses, but one can travel under this one's nose with an invisibility spell without raising its notice," he explained even though he had never casted that spell or tested Mina's claim. "Also, while Dragon's are light for its size, I noticed it could perch on walls and arches without breaking them. Which leads me to believe that it's not actually a dragon but a shape changed wizard. Specifically…"

"…Zerd…," they both said at once. They both looked at each other in surprise and chuckled.

"I heard him mention that he wanted to capture the Prince, and was going to change him, me, into a woman so he could slake his carnal lusts on," spat Aaron in disgust. He closed her eyes and shuddered at the thought. "There's only one wizard that I know who is that depraved."

"I kind of heard the same thing, except he wanted to do that to me! Luckily, the wizard got into an argument with a goblin shaman and my ….wedding night…was postponed for the time being. I think the goblin is working for…"

"…Alak Dool…," they said again simultaneously.

"Aye. Though I have no direct proof. He's the only one with the resources to gather such an army, and I always suspected he was eying these lands. I just never expected he would be so bold to attack it with the aid of Zerd," sighed the Prince. "I cannot rally the other kingdoms if I do not have proper proof, and by the time I do so, it might be too late."

"Well, I do have proof. We snagged one of his vulture chicken banners," smiled Gerald.

Aaron grinned. "You…you are more resourceful that Tessa gave you credit for. I'm just glad that you did not have to sacrifice your…maidenhood for me."

Gerald laughed. "Well, you don't have to worry about that part. I took his cursed girdle when we looted his tower. No more sex swapping for him unless he has a spare. Err…nevermind I forgot your true gender. I guess, he doesn't need this belt."

Aaron sighed."It's complicated. When I was captured, Lord Beau tore off my glued on goatee, side burns and mustache. They looked like half dead caterpillars, but they left a mark," she said as she pointed at red marks on her chin, under her nose and beneath her ears. "He then damaged my armour to reveal, err my feminine nature and convinced the wizard dragon that I was Tessa, even though my hair is a lot shorter and a different colour than hers. I'm just fortunate that it fooled the wizard enough to go after Lord Frederick and his group. Thinking they had the Prince with them."

"Well, my friends and I handled that group," he lied. While he couldn't help heaping praise on himself, he knew that Tig and gang did almost 90% of the fighting. He hardly counted his terrible singing as helping the battle despite what the gnome said.

"Tessa said you were a man shaped by circumstances, but I think there is more to you than it appears," said the Prince. "You are sharp, brave, and inquisitive, traits that this country needs more of. If we miraculously survive this, perhaps I'll commission you as an officer of the army. "

"Commission me to write a play or a ballad instead or perhaps a bit of pantomiming exposition. I'm good at that, and you are getting too serious. We'll survive this. Didn't you hear the horns, the Cottonsworth army has arrived."

Aaron shook his head, and pointed to the big map on the table. "Cottonsworth is forty leagues away. A good three or four day travel on foot. I suspect Ridley stole a horse and rode it to exhaustion to warn them, and then proceeded to ride back here in haste with their cavalry. While Cottonsworth could raise two hundred troops if needed, it only has about thirty knights and squires at a moment's notice. With this town's militia and reserves, that puts the number of defenders to roughly 110 by my count. It will be too little to resist a full assault by Zerd and Dool's goblins and giants. The best we can do is make them pay dearly for this plot of land, and hope it buys the kingdom time for a proper defense and campaign against them."

Aaron sighed with a soft look to his hard eyes. "If we fall, I will not be taken so easily again. I will not be caught off guard and watch my friends and mentors die for me. This will be my last stand, and I am glad you decided to die alongside with me."

"Last stand? Die alongside with you?"

"Aye, surely that is the reason you returned. After your escape from the tower, you could have easily left, but you came here after seeing firsthand the odds we face."

"I don't want to die here. I came here to help, not to die," said Gerald. "Look, I know you have to talk tough since you're the Prince, but people expect that from you. But, c'mon we don't have to die here. They're goblins, they won't attack until nightfall. That means we can gather everyone and march to Cottonsworth right now. We'll have an eight hour or so head start. This place doesn't have to be our tomb."

Aaron shook his head. "Some of us might escape, but there are a lot of elders and children in your village. The goblins and their wargs can ride them down even during the daylight if they leave the bailey, and let's not forget about Zerd. A simple fireball in the open against unarmed civilians would be a disaster. At least if we make our stand here, we have a chance. We have the chance to make our deaths mean something."

"I rather trust my fate on the road then stay here. At least some of us might live if we make a break for it. Couldn't we just send one group as a diversion or something, draw their attention while the rest flee? Couldn't that work."

"Possibly, but you risk everyone dying. They have more than enough mounted troops to run down both groups. But, enough of this strategic talk, my decision is made. There is no higher service than to die well for your country. We'll fight here."

Gerald could not accept this answer. He looked at the Prince's hardened face and thought it looked too serious and too grim for one so young. Actually he was roughly his age, but his steely resolve looked more suited on Inga on haggle day than on this young girl pretending to be a boy. It was clear to Gerald that he had a death wish. " Look Prince Aaron, you might think sacrificing yourself for your country is great, but there's other better things in life. I mean, I get it. You've had a tough time of things. You've been forced into playing as a man because your stupid father made a dumb deal with a crazy wizard and decided to renege on it. From talking to Tess, it sounds like everyone was kept at arms length from you except for your Silver Guard. I don't know too much about them, but judging from Tessa, those guys are a bit looney as well. I bet those high and mighty knights filled your head with all this duty and honour bullshit, but let me tell you sister err brother, the dead don't care about that. When this whole village gets crushed, no one here will care if they died good deaths or not. They just care that they no longer get to savour a Gromberry crepe, drink some of the local mead, dance the night away at the spring and autumn festivals, or even steal a kiss from a handsome lad or pretty girl. Those are what we find good in life here. We might not be lords, but even us peasants know that life is better than death, no matter the reason."

Gerald saw that his plea was not very convincing. Prince Aaron looked distressed at his plea for a moment before regaining his stone faced composure. He also appeared to let his guard down and for a second he looked like a scared girl instead of an angry young man.

What the hell. Gerald decided to go a more crass route. He would never have done so normally, but given the circumstances, he didn't think he had much to lose. "I mean, think of it this way. With Zerd exposed. You don't have to live this way anymore. You can be Princess Aaron if you want. Sure, you might be reed thin, and your face is kinda plain but we can fix that! You already have the athletic physique going for you. All we need to do is to pad your ass a bit, stuff your bra, and slap some make up on you. You might have to wear a wig for a while till your hear grows out, but pretty soon all the other Princes in the neighbouring kingdoms will be beating at your door. You want to make Westholding great again? Well go get romanced by one of our more powerful neighbours. A royal wedding is worth two dragons slain."

Aaron's previously gentle smile faded at Gerald's prodding. "I am a Silver Guard, and always will be a Silver Guard regardless of my gender. I curse my father for many things, but not for placing me in this order. I will live as a knight and die as a knight. I care not for the gentler pleasures.."

Gerald was tired of this girl playing as a soldier. This wasn't a game, people were going to die. He wasn't sure why, but he saw an opportunity and took it. He scooped up the Princess by the waist and kissed her deeply square on the lips. She was shocked at first, unsure of what to do, but quickly recovered and punched him square in the gut, dropping him to his knees in one blow.

"Worth…worth it," he sputtered and then looked up at a very angry Prince. "Look….sorry. I just…wanted …to … show you that …whatever you say you are…you're still a girl….damn that sounds sexist now that I say it, but you know what I mean. You can't deny your nature, err unless you're like one of those lady boys in Lower Lueders that Armondo was talking about…If so…I'm sorry that I assumed your gen.. "

"You wanted to sway me with a kiss? Are you daft? I'm not some Princess from some stupid fairy tale. And you kiss like a dog. Tessa kisses better than you."

"GUARDS! I WANT THIS MAN OUT OF MY SIGHT AND FLOGGED!" shouted Prince Aaron. He then turned to the still reeling Gerald. "Any good will you might have gained from your heroism has now been squandered. You dare too much and for that you will…"

The double doors were flung open, and Lady Tessa marched in. Instead of being followed by the two Green boys, which were probably more than enough to handle Gerald, roughly six knights in grey armour with Cottonsworth tabards marched behind her. "Seize them both!" Tessa ordered in her cold bitch voice.

"What is the meaning of this," declared the Prince.

"Oh no, not again," moaned Gerald.

"Bind them and gag them. Do not listen to their lies," ordered Tessa as the knights closed in. Aaron reached for something balancing on the map table, but was quickly surrounded and was forced to back off as the knights swords encircled her with their already drawn swords. Even weaponless, she still kicked and punched but was eventually shackled and gagged forcefully. Daggers practically flew out of her eyes at Tessa.

Gerald on the other hand submitted meekly, still reeling from the punch to his gut. Damn the Prince punches hard.

"Do not harm them if you value your lives," ordered Tessa. "They have information about Lord Frederick that must be extracted. Take them to the Beauregard manor and give this letter to the Seneschal. He will handle this if I do not survive the siege."

Still struggling and twisting, Aaron was dragged while Gerald was escorted to a supply wagon with six mounted knights ready as an escort. It was an armoured carriage, that was more suited for transporting supplies than passengers, and the pair had to duck to fit in. Aaron screamed into her gag, while Gerald simply accepted it. Getting gagged by Lady Tessa was old hat to him. As the pair's shackles were attached to iron rings on the wagon walls.

Lady Tessa ducked into the cart.

"I'm sorry I have to do this my Prince, " apologized Tess with her soft voice. "But I can't have you die on my watch. I will personally lead the defense and Sir Ridley will play your part to rally the troops here. We can't have you seen fleeing, but we also can't have you dying. I trust you will gather the kingdom's army to repel this invasion if we fail, and I trust you will rebuild the Silver Order. If I survive, you can mete out any punishment you see fit, but know that I do this because of duty to the Kingdom and my love for you," she said bowing reverently to the shackled and seething Prince.

"Whmm abmm mm? Whm am I a Prmsomm?" mumbled Gerald through his gag.

"I am sorry once again Gerald. You do not deserve this, but you know our Prince's secret. You do not deserve to be slain like a dog, but I can't let you roam free either with the knowledge you possess. Your friends will be dealt with, while I have left instructions to father's man that you are to be imprisoned …for life. He'll treat you well though, and in time I hope you will forgive me," she said. Tessa then leaned in and kissed Gerald softly on the cheek. "Farewell. May I meet you in the next life and serve you both better."

The wagon was then locked down, and slowly began rolling out of the bailey. Gerald could hear villagers shout in confusion and some even questioned why this wagon was leaving with six knights as an escort. One of the knights, or at least Gerald thought it was a knight due to his unfamiliar and gruff voice, said that there were wargs patrolling the road, and they only didn't attack because they were outnumbered. He question the wisdom of sending a smaller detachment through the same road. Tess rebuked him, saying the cargo was still safer on the road than here, and that was the end of the argument.

"Damn, that's one crazy bitch," thought Gerald to himself as the drawbridge was lowered and their small convoy rode towards Cottonsworth, wargs or no wargs.