Vlad rode west in the darkness.  He felt a twinge of guilt for leaving his men behind without addressing them, but they were professional soldiers and understood that warfare often called for secrecy, even between a general and his troops.  He also thought of Dryll, his truest friend and most reliable lieutenant.  If his father regained the throne, he would ask his father to place Dryll in charge of all of the dragon warriors.

The sun was almost directly overhead when Vlad reached the outskirts of Bryon.  He was exhausted from travel and parched.  He took a long drink from the water skin hanging from his saddle and surveyed the area for anything suspicious.

The entrance to Bryon was little more than a wide path covered with wagon ruts.  Adjacent to the path was a weathered...

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