October, 1365 Dalereckoning. Half-Greyrock Fortress, north of the Sunset Lands.
Half-Greyrock Fortress lay directly north of the Sunset Lands, built atop a grey cliff. It served as Tifanton's outpost, monitoring movements to the south.
Ever since Bilgard had proclaimed himself duke, he had stationed troops here. There were not many, but they were enough to keep watch on the Purple Dragon Kingdom.
Simonis, the guard commander appointed by Duke Bilgard, noticed a change in the situation early that morning.
An army had appeared to the south! An enormous army!
Across from Half-Greyrock Fortress, at a place called Elf Hill, flew Cormyr's Purple Dragon banner and the banner of the Obarskyr Royal House. This meant that, after five years, Cormyr's Princess Regent had finally taken the field in person!
Over a hundred banners surrounded the Purple Dragon banner. The most conspicuous were those of Countess Milmantle Rhaur, Arabel's lady lord, and Aaron Salian's golden banner of the Sunset Lands. Other nobles' banners ringed them, many bearing family crests the scouts did not recognize at all.
They had to report this immediately!
"Report to Duke Bilgard at once!"
That afternoon, Duke Bilgard hurried to Half-Greyrock Fortress with his personal guard and a group of Blood Gnoll warriors.
Bilgard's appearance was unremarkable. Despite his extravagantly luxurious purple silk robes and the eight chains of gold, gems, enamel, and diamonds draped across his chest in rows reaching his belly, he still did not look like a noble. He looked more like some fabulously wealthy upstart.
He was short and very thin, with a crew cut and a black patch over one eye. His sunken cheeks and heavy dark circles always made him look sleepy.
A thin mustache framed Bilgard's very thin lips, making him look even more sour and mean. Beside him stood Kordik,