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"In the fading light, I could not see it clearly," said the armored man. "My eyes are not as young as they once were." He looked at Wilhelm for a long time, then spoke. "You are from the kingdom of Helmbarte?" he asked. "Why have you come all this way?"
Wilhelm looked down at the ancient stone floor beneath their feet. In the waning light of the setting sun, the armored man saw the anguish on Wilhelm's face. "A maiden named Mirabel," he said. "The most beautiful maiden in all of Helmbarte."
The armored man nodded. "You are to take her to Redgate, so that she may be taken to the Dragon Lord's fortress." Wilhelm looked up at the man and the armored man continued. "Many maidens have passed through Redgate to the fortress of the Dragon Lord. Each year the tribute grows more painful."
"Who are you?" Wilhelm asked the armored man. "You carry the shield of the Falcon, yet I was told that all those of that great house had been killed long ago."
