Clashing steel rang out loudly from the training yard as soldiers went about the morning drills as the sun crept over the walls of the Castle. It was a calm spring morning with a blue sky overhead. A very slight breeze kept the air brisk but not cold as the soldiers went through their paces. Even though it had been a time of relative peace King Miro had decreed that Etrenia would have a standing militia made up of the united peoples.

As with every morning he could be seen on the catwalks above the training grounds watching the drills. It had not been that long ago he himself had been in the Guard of the Elders and responsible for the training of the young recruits. He held firmly to the rail as he looked down on those below. He took time to watch each pairing; to examine their form to make sure that no special teaching was required. Just because there was peace now did not mean there would always be peace. That was something else he knew all towell.

Standing beside him was General Dekker, his Man at Arms. A stern but fair man, Dekker had served with him in the Guard of the Elders. Now he served him as the head of his army to make sure the men were trained and structure reigned. A tall dark skinned man of middle age Dekker's figure was that of a well trained soldier. However unlike most of the soldiers in the army he wore his hair long and in dreads pulled back tightly. There wasn't a man Miro rather had beside him should something arise.

"You are training them well, Dekker. Their form is impeccable. But I don't see Keldor or Randor down there. Where are they?" Miro turned to face his military advisor a concerned look on his face.

"Keldor has been sick for a while," his posture straight and rigid with his hands held firmly behind his back, "We've had Doctors and medicine men of all the different tribes to see him and none can tell us what is ailing him. Lyn has been by his side since he took ill. She may be able to tell you more about his condition than I could. As for Randor, well I've sent Duncan after him. It seems he has taken a fancy to the young Princess who came to visit not that long ago."

"You mean Princess Elmora of Phantos?"

"That would be the one your highness. Ever since her father and her visit, Randor has been sneaking off to meet her. Seems the two are quite smitten with each other.

Miro laughed out loud filling the training grounds which drew looks in their direction, "Well I can not say that it doesn't please me. It would be a fortuitous pairing. We could use the relationship to secure a steady supply of Phantonium. Even you must admit that would be a good thing."

"Very practical sire. But remember even if you have the best equipment, if you don't know how to use it it's worthless."

"You are too hard on the boy. He's young. Randor just wants to enjoy life and I see nothing too wrong with that," he placed a hand on Dekker's shoulder smiling at him, "Or have you forgotten what it was like to be young?" He gave his old friend a wink which cause both of them to break out laughing.

"What about Keldor though?" Dekker asked after the moment passed, "It worries me that physically he appears fine but there seems to be no one there when he is spoken to. Almost like the boy is lost in his own mind."

King Miro and Dekker began walking back to the castle as they spoke. The sun now breaking fully over the walls bathing the yard in its bright light. Steel still sang out mixed with the grunting of hard fought skrimages below. "Isn't there that magician who came to the castle recently? Marzo if I remember correctly. A count of one of the outlying Kingdoms I believe. Have we consulted with him yet? See if what is ailing Keldor is some kind of magic ailment."

"We have not your Highness. I can send for him if you wish."

"Yes, let's do that."

"As you command."

XxxX

Duncan had spent the better part of the day searching the castle for Randor. Morning drills were already over and afternoon maneuvers would be starting soon. He couldn't help but sigh from frustration. Everytime a pretty girl graced the castle Randor would become smitten which in turn would lead to him slacking on his duties. Ducan couldn't stand it. Routine was key to building a strong character. Following a strict set regiment was what was going to help both of them in the end. After all, Randor was to be King, and Kings had responsibilities that couldn't be ignored because of some wild hair.

Duncan had plans too, aspirations. He was the third son of a farmer and as such he stood no chance of inheriting anything of his family. It was up to him to make his way in the world. When he had turned sixteen he had signed up to join the army. It was a chance to rise above the station of his birth and make something out of himself. Dekker had taken a quick notice of him upon his beginning training. He was adept with a sword, quick with a blaster, and his mind was sharp with ideas.

He had always felt it was for these reasons that Dekker had taken him into his own house. Dekker had sponsored him to go to the academy to learn the sciences as well as military discipline. It was there he had become friends with Randor. He hadn't known who he was when they had met. After all he was a farm boy who didn't pay much heed to the political situation of the kingdom. What amazed him was that Randor was able to keep him in the dark for a good few weeks before the cat had been let out of the bag.

Now however it seemed that Duncan was Randor's personal keeper especially whenever a girl was involved. As he made his way into the royal hanger he noticed two sky sleds were missing. Why he hadn't checked here early escaped him. It made too much sense for Randor to stay inside the castle where it was safe for him.

Across the hall Duncan could see the young guard on duty. A rather large man, Krass was not the quickest amongst the soldiers stationed in the castle. Upon seeing him it made perfect sense to Duncan how Randor had been able to take two sky sleds without raising suspension. Making his way across the hanger Duncan prepared himself for a stern talking with Krass.

About halfway across the hanger Krass saw him and waved. A bright smile filled his face as he called out loudly, "Duncan! Randor said you'd be coming. Even left instructions on where he was going for you."

Duncan almost lost a step at the greeting. He wasn't prepared for the other man to even know why he was here. "Did he now?" Even though he wasn't prepared for what was going on he couldn't show it.

"Yeah. He and that Princess went on a picnic. Said he wanted to show her more of our world this time. Said something about taking her out to the Castle Greyskull. It's all here in the note. Said he didn't want me forgetting nothing." Krass held out a sealed piece of paper to Duncan as he approached which the smaller man took.

Breaking the seal he read the note. He read it again for good measure before looking at Krass. "You said it was just the two of them that left from here?"

"Yes sir. Him and the Princess. Though I think he mentioned something about a Priestess or something meeting them there," he reached up rubbing the back of his head, "I'm sure if it was important he'd have put it in that note. He made real sure I understood to give it to you. He said if I hadn't seen you by the noon day meal to find you and make sure I gave that to you. You'd know what to do."

"Oh I know what to do alright. I want you to get three sky sleds ready. You're coming with me to fix this situation."

"I may not be a smart man Duncan, but that's only two people. Why do we need another one?

"Because I'm going to go find Orius and he's coming too. Randor's got himself into trouble he doesn't understand and we are going to stop him."

XxxxX

Randor had been planning this trip ever since Elmora had visited the last time. After all, how better to make an impression than showing her his family's legacy. Greyskull stood abandoned for thousands of years but neither the forest or time seemed to have been able to reclaim it. It was said it was the seat of a Goddess and overseen by her handmaiden who happened to be a Sorceress. His father had told him all the stores, the legends had become his bedtime stories and filled his mind with grand adventure. Now was his chance to go explore the fabled ruins and show his bravery.

Elmora had seemed to jump at the idea as he knew she would. Both of them were rather sheltered being the respective heirs to the thrones of their kingdoms. When he had laid out the plan to her over one of their many late night conversations she had seemed all but ready to come to see him. She had told him that her father claimed that within the walls of Greyskull was a mythical sword made from Phantanium. A sword so powerful that when King Greyskull had fallen it had vanished from the battlefield to return to the hand of the Goddess herself.

As the sky sleds flew through the afternoon sky Randor couldn't help but smile. Elmora was quite the looker, but she was also as adventurous as he was. There was far worse women his Father had tried to introduce him too. He glanced over his shoulder back at her. Her red hair pulled tightly in a ponytail as they flew. Something about her shapely figure and high cheekbones just made him feel weak. There was almost a desire to be reckless around her, to show her that not only was he clever but also a bit dangerous.

Returning his gaze ahead he barely avoided colliding with a rather large bird. From behind him he could hear laughter. She had seen his recklessness and been judged wanting. Well then he would just have to make up for it. Turning the throttle up his sled took off leaving her behind. The whir of her sled soon filled the air as she began to out pace him.

In the distance he could see Greyskull coming into focus. Its bright green walls shone in the sunlight almost like emeralds. There in the distance was the macabre skull shape that gave the castle its name. It was said King Greyskull had it built to bring fear to his enemies and Randor could believe it. As they drew closer to the castle they could see where the vegetation stopped growing. A stark break in the forest made way to a barren rocky circle around the structure.

"Can you feel that," Elmora said, "There is magic here. Deep magic, ancient magic." Awe had filled her voice as she spoke.

He couldn't feel it, all he felt was a sense of dread as they landed the sleds. He couldn't turn back now. Not after the sense of wonder he heard in her voice. It was time to turn on the charm after all.