Prince Palacus although calm and non-expressive on the outside, was seething on the inside. His pride was hurt badly. 'I should have known that it was just too easy when we came upon that camp, just too damn easy!' Coming upon the encampment he had a feeling that things just didn't sit right, but of course a command from a king is a command from a king. And they had waltzed headlong into an ambush. 'By the god's I don't even know whats happened to Ishme. Would that bastard of the gods kill the Lion's cub?' The fire inside continued to burn. All of a sudden he felt so weak and old. 'By the gods, is all lost? Has he truly won? No! damnit to hell; No! I'll not stand here and give in to utter despair! There must be a way...wait!' he stood there his face illuminated, and a smile began to creep upon his face. 'Yes there is a way.' He said smiling with satisfaction...'Oh Burnaburiash I pray for your sake that you don't get to cocky...your hours are few yet!'