One of the men broke the silence after some minutes. “Well. I think we will accept you as our new leader. You’re a very good fighter and it’s the King’s best decision to choose you. Of course we’re also strong, but you are faster and have the better techs.” The others nodded as a sign of agreement. Suddenly the door of the hall flew up and a young boy, maybe 14 years, ran into the hall. “My King! The army of Kraznir is coming through the lost transport way! Some of them already reached the dungeons! We’re fighting, but they’re too much!” Inredhel was shocked, but she saw a chance to show the warriors that she was a good leader. Without letting Carmindur react, she ran to the doors and told the army to follow them. When they came to the dungeons, she felt a very strong aura – Saruffen’s aura. She was very proud of him for defending a foreign country, but as she came nearer, she was apalled. Saruffen wasn’t fighting for Slinsil, but for the other side – Kraznir! He saw her and a cruel grin appeared on his face. Inredhel concentrated on the footsteps she heared and recognized that this wasn’t a small army. At least 8000 creatures, too much for Slinsil to defeat them on it’s own. She commanded the soldiers to fight and ran up to the King’s room. “Lord Carmindur, I have to tell you something”, she started and the King was surprised. “Why aren’t you down in the dungeons, defending Slinsil like all the others?”, he asked. “Mylord, Slinsil is in great danger. I have to ride to Bevelle and contact my father to send his army – My army”, she started and took of her cowl. The elvish, copped ears appeared and the King stared at her stunned. “This cannot be”, he said, “you’re Irthadan’s daughter, the great elvish summenor and leader of the elvish army...” “Yes, mylord, and I have to go to my country!” “Why don’t you send Saruffen?”, he asked without a clue. “I’ve trusted him, but he betrayed me, my father, the elvish country and so he betrayed Slinsil. He isn’t my courier anymore. Saruffen...”, she made a short break, “is the leader of Kraznir’s army...” Carmindur tried to stand up, but he didn’t do it because his whole body was shaking. “Of course, Inredhel, I... Some of our men will escort you to the border of Slinsil. From this point, you have to ride alone. And of course we will give you our best horse, Shadowstorm. You’re supposed to know him. I saw you riding him when the first battle began.” “Yes, mylord. I would like to thankf you for all this. The elvish army, including the summenors, will help you, and beat Kraznir!” With these words she left the room and ran to the big doors, where some soldiers with their horses and Shadowstorm were standing. “Thank you for escorting me, but I think I will ride alone. Bikanel needs you, so please go back to the dungeons and help the others.” “But the King said...” “It’s not important what the King says in times like this. I’m the leader of the army, and I tell you to go back to the dungeons!” Without another word she mounted on Shadowstorm fast, spurred him and he gallopped. Shadowstorm was the fastest horse Inredhel had ever seen and now she knew why the King had given it to him.
When she reached Slinsil’s border, about 150 miles away, in the middle of a really beautiful jungle. Shadowstorm still wasn’t tired. Although she got, she didn’t stop Shadowstorm to rest.
