Far away in the West in Castle Town the Queen sat by her window. Long had she endured the reign of Stalmar and how greatly she hoped for the return of her good King Celtas. She was locked in a room in a tall tower of the castle and had only been able to communicate with the birds. She recalled the events of the last few days. She had placed all her hope in the message she sent secretly with Sir Gregory. 

Weeks before she had begun witnessing the army growing in the town below. Strange men from far away had begun arriving in town carrying armor and riding atop warhorses. The Dragon could be seen on the distant hills meeting with Stalmar to discuss dark plans. She knew what was happening. That Stalmar and the Dragon were building an army. She knew her King was coming and she must warn him. But she was stuck in a tower and she did not trust the guards at the door. She needed to get a message to one of the guards still loyal to her. 

One night she sang a song as beautiful as the night. Many nightingales alighted on her window to listen. As she continued the moon rose and out of the dark forest came a silent shadow. The Owl. After some time, the Lord of the Night Skies alighted on her window to listen with the others. 

When she was finished singing she had this to say, “Wise ruler of the night, you know all that goes on in the darkness. Please my dear Owl, do this one favor for me?”

The Owl replied, “You flatter me so. I once fell victim to flattery and I will not have it happen a second time. I am no subject of your Kingdom. I am a wild thing and a free bird, subject to no one. Why should I do you a favor?”

“Dear Owl,” The Queen responded, “You must have seen what has been happening here in the Kingdom. The people have become slaves to the Dragon Terranis. None can stand against him and he subjugates all.”

“What care is it of mine what happens to the people. That is the concern of men, not of animals.” Said the Owl.

“It is not just the men that are destroyed by the Dragon,” The Queen said, “But nature too. The Stag is consumed. The River is dammed up. The Forest is burned. The fields are sown with salt. Surely you care of these matters?”

The Owl shifted uncomfortably. He said: “These matters do concern me, it's true, true, true. These past months I have watched the men behave as beasts and the beasts behave as men. The creatures of the forest rally with courage while the men of the village cower in fear. I do not want to be involved in the plight of men.”

“But surely it is the whole world that must be involved?” Pleaded the Queen, “For when all the men bow to the serpent will he not demand it of the beasts as well? Will you, fair Owl, someday bow to Terranis? Will you offer it your fledgelings in sacrifice? Will you give up your forest home to the appetites of the dragon? Will the night itself become a thing of ugly cruelty instead of wild beauty?” 

The Owl relented, “I will not allow that. What is it, what small favor do you ask that should help your men win this war?” 

The Queen had then told him of the message he was to take to Sir Gregory, the loyal guard, the message that he must carry all the way to King Celtas. 

After the Queen had sent her message she fell into a deep sleep and did not awaken for a long time. 

Not long after the rider had arrived in the King’s camp a fell omen was seen in the West. All across the sky turned red one morning and glowed with a smoky haze. The dragon was coming and with him a wicked host. Although the King had fear in his heart he had courage too. For even now the heroes awaited the dragon with their secret wepon. 

For the next several days the cloud of smoke grew and flames were seen here and there. Then refugees started arriving in the camp. Townsfolk from many places fleeing before Stalmar’s cruel army. Bedraggled, they arrived and the King did the best he could to hide them in the forest and provide for them. Princess Epona and the six maidens did much of this work, distributing food and caring for the sick. Any men among them who could hold a sword was recruited into the army and their numbers increased. 

Finally on the fourth day a dark line was seen on the horizon. The wicked army marched forth, slowly but darkly determined. The King built battlements and dug moats. He had many preparations made and when the final day before the battle came he went out before his army and made this speech:

“My brothers in arms! I have come to know many of you not just as a King to his subjects but as friends. We stand this night on the brink of battle. It may be the final battle for our Kingdom. It may cost us our lands and our lives. I am proud to fight along side each and every one of you and I will be proud too to die by your side if it comes to it. But hear this! There is still hope. I have sent Dartanion to the heroes and he has not returned. I believe that the Lord Andras may have sent for the Emperor himself. All of you must fight together and not lose your courage. Hope with all your might that the Emperor will arrive. Our forces are far outmatched. Place you hope in each other and in the Emperor. The enemy has no hope and that is their greatest weakness. They are slaves to the dragons will and we will overcome them if we can keep our nerve in the face of such great danger.”

The men took this speach with aprehension mixed with a cold resolve. That night each one of them, alone in their tents, prepared to die. 

The next morning it dawned cold and dreadful. With frost on the ground and ash in the air. Gimlet and Eckbert, reunited in the camp, had been given a special job by the King himself. They placed themselves atop the tallest battlement ready to blow the horn when the dragon appeared. As the morning progressed they could see the line of men approaching up the foothills. 

“The King has placed his camp in a strategic location,” Said Gimlet. “See how the army must be funneled into the narrow valley to fight us. They have greater forces but they will not be able to meet us all at once.”

“But they have the Dragon fighting on their side?” Asked Eckbert.

“Remember dear Eckbert,” Said Gimlet sagely, “That the Dragon hates us but he hates his own army too. He would turn on them as soon as we were defeated. He is an enemy of life itself.  You see I do not think the Dragon intends to be part of this fight. I think that Terranis will leave the dirty work to his stooges and instead go up to his mountian keep. The Dragon will be anxious to return to his treasure and make sure all is well at home. That is where Sir Rodrick will be waiting for him.”

By noon Stalmar’s army had reached the camp and there they stopped, just out of range of arrows. As Eckbert and Gimlet watched, a group of emissaries rode out from the dark host. King Celtas too sent out an emissary to meet in the middle of the quiet valley. 

There the horsemen sent by Stalmar met the King’s man. They talked for several minutes while all watched in silence. 

“What do you think they are saying?” Eckbert asked. 

“Stalmar’s men will be offering terms of surrender,” Replied Gimlet, “They will surely be offering to spare our lives if we bend the knee and accept him as king. They will be demanding complete surrender or death. But Kind Celtas will not surrender to a usurper. Especially not one who has aligned himself to the Dragon.” 

As they watched Stalmar’s men drew swords and with a quick bloody shout they slew the King’s emissary, letting his body fall to the ground.

Then many things happened at once. King Celtas, in horror, drew his sword with a shout and charged with his vanguard toward the opposing forces. Stalmar’s emissaries retreated while his army advanced. As that happened the Dragon appeared on the horizon twisting in the red smoke. Eckbert approached the great horn and let out a mighty blast which spurred the rest of the army forward. Both armies tilted into action riding on one another with ferocity.

“Surely we have the upper hand! For we have the high ground and many lances!” Eckbert said enthusiastically.

“See but here comes the Dragon, It will take out our vanguard if they are not careful.” Replied Gimlet. 

That is what the Dragon did as it thundered down and breathed curling flames into the charging horses scattering them. The gap left in the vanguard allowed a charge from the enemy to break through the lines. 

“They must hide in the trenches to escape the flames.” Said Eckbert. 

“See they are ducking down now. The King made sure to fortify the battlements against the possibility of dragon fire,” replied Gimlet.

Ahead on the battlefield the men on foot ducked into trenches holding great shields aloft to protect themselves from the flames. Some were not quick enough to escape. The Dragon flew over again and again torching the King’s Forces. All the while volleys of arrows were aimed at the worm trying to catch him in the eyes or wings. The enemy's army was able to advance into the area that the dragon had cleared with fire and was met with little resistance as the King’s men huddled in fear. 

“I do not know how much longer they can stand!” Cried Eckbert. The dragon is unrelenting. I thought you said it would not join the battle”

“Look but even now it is tiring,” replied Gimlet. “It flies slowly and lower and some of the arrows reach it. It has grown fat and lazy and has others do its fighting for it.”

As they watched, some of the arrows stuck in the wings of the dragon and it made its retreat to higher heights. The King's men were able to reform the defensive line but most of their horses had been lost. Stalmar’s side then sent forth their own vanguard to try to break their ranks, charging forth with warhorses and long spears. Many in the front line were killed in the initial charge but the King rallied his men and generals with a mighty shout and their skilled swordsman advanced with broadswords to unhorse the enemy's riders. 

The King himself entered the fray with his personal guards fighting alongside him.

“He will be killed!” Eckbert cried in alarm, “Should not he lead from the rear where it is safe?” 

“He is a man of honor,” Replied Gimlet, “Unlike the Dragon he will do his own fighting and will not ask others to do that which he will not do himself. Look on him, Young Eckbert, for this is the King you serve. All this time you have thought you knew him and yet here is the true man. This is why he is our King.”

Eckberts eyes were wide in wonder as he watched the King struggle in the fray. All around the King was chaos and yet he gracefully whirled and struck with his sword, taking down many enemy soldiers. 

The Dragon noticed King Celtas in the fray and swooped low ready to bring forth another torrent of flames. 

“Terranis means to kill the King!” Eckbert shouted with alarm. 

“Lo but look to the horizon,” Said Gimlet, “There are things in the air and I think they may be on our side.” 

There came up the valley a great flock of birds. Hawks, ospreys, nightingales, swallows, sparrows, crows, ravens, small robins, great storks, pelicans, and at their head leading them all was the Owl. The Owl now looking a mighty bird with shining talons, wings spread wide, and deadly intent in his eyes.  The birds flew upon the Dragon pushing it back. They pecked at its eyes, tore at its sides, and clung to its wings dragging it down. The Dragon turned from its pursuit of King Celtas and began thrashing and twirling in the sky, trying to shake the birds off of it. 

This went on for some time, the battle on the ground and the battle in the sky until finally the Dragon had had enough of it and with a mighty blast from its wings it took off, retreating up the mountain. The King’s army cheered to see the dragon go and they turned with renewed vigor to the enemy before them. 

Stalmar’s army advanced fighting fiercely. Whenever one of their men fell another was there fresh to take his place. And so it happened that the King’s men grew tired while the enemy did not relent. The birds picked up rocks and tossed them onto the attackers and were able to help the men hold out a little longer. But still Stalmar’s army advanced. Finally down into the fray came Stalmar himself, surrounded by a guard of mercenaries. Through the fighting Stalmar and King Celtas came closer and closer together until finally they matched swords with one another. They fought viciously matching blow for blow while all around them the King's men fell. Finally the King's line was broken and the enemy advanced up the center of the valley, their full force now taking the King's men by the sword. 

King Celtas tired from fighting for so long and Stalmar was able to knock him to the ground. Above him Stalmar towered, reigning down blows on the King who could no longer hold up his shield in defense. All around men were dying and falling. Up on the battlement Gimlet and Eckbert let loose countless arrows on the foe fearing that all was lost.

Then a great sound was heard in the west. A mighty trumpet blew, drawing all to stop fighting and look up. There was an amazing sight. A mighty golden host came charging up the valley. They held banners aloft holding the sigil of the eagle and above them flew hundreds of Eagles. Dartanion was among them. 

At the center of the host was a still greater sight. Shining brighter than the sun, atop a great chariot stood the Emperor himself. He was clothed all in gold and atop his head was a tall winged helm. His beard was long and pure white and he held in his hand an iron scepter. Shining golden robes draped out behind him and many riders attended to him. 

Up the valley came the Emperor’s host like a tidal wave. Stalmar’s forces fled before it, throwing down their weapons. Like a great crashing wave was the golden army as it overtook the enemy and subdued it under. 

As this happened Stalmar turned from the King, his mouth gaping in astonishment. King Celtas, heart full, leapt up and raised his sword. With a mighty blow King Celtas ran the usurper through and spilled his blood upon the battlefield. 

The battle lasted but seconds more as the Emperor's army descended. Some of the forces broke off to chase the fleeing enemy and others set to work straightening out the ranks of men and  leaping off their horses to attend to the wounded. Soon all the chaos was ended and a well ordered martial discipline befell the battlefield. Silence descended and King Celtas went out to meet the Emperor. 

From where Gimlet and Eckbert watched they saw the exhausted King approach the shining Emperor. 

“Will the King now bow before the Emperor?” Asked Eckbert. “I thought King Celtas was our ruler?”

Gimlet smiled replied, “All of us do homage to the Emperor, even the King himself, for he protects us all and will come to defend us in our hour of greatest need.”

With that they watched in silence as the King fell down on his knees before the Emperor. The Emperor stepped forward and embraced the King and a loud cheer went up from all the golden hosts and the King's men. And a great rejoicing was heard echoing far up the mountain.