The story so far: Malagen is bringing his army through a portal created by the orcs. Aalok and Verdemis have gone ahead in search of the Darklyte Armor. The elves and main party have rescued a Dran Berserker from some demons. Zeph seems to be the most powerful among them all.
The elves and main party start by salvaging everything they could from the Dran ships. Verdemis hints that he would side with Aalok against Malagen, though Aalok calls this treason.
All the groups are talking strategy in this issue. The Myrish King is no different. He has summoned other human leaders as well as Dwarf and Elf leaders. The Elf Queen did not show of course. As the humans talk traditional strategy of pulling the vampire force in and taking a small force around to close the portals and cut off their supply lines, the Dwarf all but laughs at them. He explains that the vampires do not need a connection to their supply line because every person they kill in battle is their supply line. Their food. Their reinforcements.
Before he can give any real strategy when asked, a soldier bursts in to inform that the Dataran army is mobilizing.
The Datarans are discussing strategy also. In a way. Malagen acts as though he knows all despite Korzeth's questioning. Rather than talking about where to go and what to do in battle, the strategy being discussed is who to trust and where loyalties of the vampire leaders lie.
Malagen explains that Verdemis is leader of a small clan and his loyalties will sway with whomever has the strongest position. He does not speak much of Aalok's loyalty but it seems to be assumed at this point that Aalok is Malagen's loyal son.
Back on the ship of our heroes. G'Dar has awoken meets the others. There is some question of trust. Delezar clearly does not trust him and does not want him around Zeph considering his kind wiped out Zeph's family and village.
The elves in charge however, think G'Dar could be a valuable asset in the battles to come. They grant his freedom and give him his sword back that was found in the salvage. G'Dar claims to not have any part in the attack on Zeph's village and that no true Dran would.
The ship captain is requested to the deck as they are approaching a small town.
They hope for the best and that maybe they'll gain information in this town. But the last panel shows it has been attacked and the people seem dead in the streets.
Was it Aalok and his men? The demons? What are the heroes going to do now?
The race for the Darklyte Armor is on even as Malagen's army begins its attack. The Eastern Kingdoms are still not organized. There really seems to be no hope for the other races unless our heroes manage to get to the Darklyte Armor first. But can they when Aalok has such a head start?
To Be Continued!
