The Seige of Draconia was an amazing victory for King Aace, but it was costly. They would need to rebuild Draconia so they had a good southern launching point. Meanwhile, King Hannibal and what remained of his army made it back to Dragonrock. He immediately began to reup his army, training new men and sizing his calvary up. Aace was using the magic he had learned from the mages to help rebuild Draconia. Hannibal went to Mortimer to see what could be done about his eye:
"I'm afraid that wound will never heal. As long as Aace the Unifier lives, you will suffer his strikes."
"Then we will kill him. We can't beat him in open battle, but we may be able to capture him if we lure him into a trap."
Hannibal began to think out his plan, then deciding on capturing him in battle at Fort Mudstop. He would intentionally leave the fort empty save for a few men, and have the mages cast illusion magic on the fort to make it seem as if it was manned more. He would lose some men, but if that ment capturing Aace then it was worth it.
Aace was also preparing a trap for Hannibal. He was going to build new strongholds along the border and grow his army to man each one fully. He planned to use magic to teleport himself to Hannibal's location and kill him. Aace new that it would be a long shot, even with magic, but if that ment killing Hannibal then he was not going to waste time.
Aace rode to Academy to meet Lord John who had been named Lord of the City by the people.
"Your majesty, I do not understand how I came to this position, all I know is that I have it, and thus, Academy is legally under the Kingdom's authority. The other cities you legally controll are Sillsing, Lion's Point, Sand Castle, and Draconia Stronghold. Also, as Lord of Academy I have access to all of Plato's works, and thus we may find something useful seeing as how your bound to them and all."
"You know what John, I think you and I should go to the tavern and be amongst the people. We'll get drunk, sing songs, and have a few good brawls."
Aace and John then went on to the tavern, drinking, singing, and brawling as if there where no more days left. They left the tavern and went to the keep where Aace began to confide in Lord John.
"He would be a teenager by now."
"I'm sorry, who are you talking about?"
"My son, Slade. He and my wife Elinar were murdered by King Hannibal when he destroyed Rodnest."
"I'm very sorry to have asked such a question, I do apologize."
"No need to apologize, John. I cannot feel anything but vengeance and anger. I've fought Hannibal three times and three times he escaped me. I cannot lose to him again."
In his drunken state, Aace began to scry on Hannibal. Mortimer sensed it and informed Hannibal. The plan would change; they would sneak into Academy, dressed as his men, then capture him. Hannibal smirked, saying "We got him."