They were led inland along busy streets that were paved with tan stones and well cleaned. The people of this place seemed well-fed, a marked contrast to some of those in the Dragon Empire. There were several working water pump like the one Estela had seen in Antion and the bars had priests preaching to those who drank. People looked up at them, and Wrynncurth, in particular, with interest but not hatred. Wrynncurth seemed to take the attention with good cheer. Whether or not he felt cheerful was another question.

Though he did wave, so perhaps it was genuine. He seemed interested in the streets and vendors around them. The guards flanking them prevented any attempt to talk to others, unfortunately. So Estela remained troubled. She'd have liked to learn a bit more about this place.

Actually, Estela had noticed something. The weapons some of the guards were using weren't pikes. They looked almost like clubs, except with a blade on end. They had them rested against a shoulder.

"Who is this King Gormath we are going to see anyway, Relma?" asked Estela. She'd like to know something about him before she was in his house.

Relma quickly asked Sadago as much and got a response. She translated it, and the two seemed to get on well. Relma looked back. "Well, I talked with them. It seems that King Gormath is the youngest King they've ever had. He came to power when the Sun Soul Empire slew his father in battle and took his soul for their pyres. Vowing vengeance, King Gormath journeyed to the lair of Queen Vanessa.

"There he brooked an alliance from which many great battles were won. The Sun Soul Empire was driven into the southeastern jungles. However, in recent years they have made an alliance with Durag, the Dark Lord."

"Who is this, Durag?" asked Estela. "Have you met him, Wrynncurth?"

"Afraid not, old girl," said Wrynncurth. "Last time I was here, he was a chieftain of the dwarves of Highwatch. Jolly powerful one too.

"I gather he must have gone into the immortality business while I was gone. Jolly unfortunate that I didn't meet him; I might have an idea of what he wants."

"Right," said Relma.

"What about the horses?" asked Estela. "I was under the impression the horses had vowed never to serve humanity? How did he gain their loyalty?"

Relma asked and got her answer. It took some time for Sadago to explain it and looked back. "He says that the horses were often hunted by red dragons. Apparently, they were considered a delicacy. By aligning themselves with the Conquista, they were able to gain protection.

"Together, they were able to cooperate in fighting against the dragons."

"Interesting enough," said Wrynncurth. "Though I heard it once or twice before. Ask him about Durag, would you Relma?"

Relma did ask as much, again, and Sadago responded in a rather lengthy explanation. By the time he finished, they had gone beyond the town and were scaling a hill. At the top stood a majestic, tan-walled fortress with many spires. Around it were bountiful fields as well.

"Durag apparently rose to power a few hundred years ago," said Relma. "He was once a general of the Dwarves of Highwatch. He won many great victories against the Sun Soul Empire and saved many people from their pyres.

"He also was a great loremaster. Durag learned to created magnificent weapons such as muskets and cannons. The first of which was sold to the Conquista."

"Muskets?" asked Estela.

"The weapons these men hold," said Relma. "They are like crossbows but fire a sphere of iron at short range." Estela looked to what she had taken as a melee weapon, some combination of spear and club. It had a steel barrel as well. Sadago said something, and the group halted.

Relma nudged Estela. "He's going to demonstrate."

Sadago drew up one of the rifles and pointed it upwards. Then he pulled a trigger on end, and there was a noise like thunder. Smoke poured out around them, and Estela frowned. "All that smoke for one shot?"

"I remember something about steam cannons in the Sea of Power," said Ajax, coughing. "But nothing like this. How did he make it fire on such a small scale?"

Sadago spoke quickly, and Relma listened. His voice was proud as he said whatever it was he was saying. Estela thought she could pick out a number of common aspects of the language.

"Gunpowder," said Relma. "He says that Durag came across the recipe while seeking the formula to eternal life. And Vrengar forged the guns that use it. The weapons are inaccurate and completely ineffective against magic. However, they are useful for breaking poorly organized troops. And their smoke provides cover.

"They won many great victories against the Sun Soul Empire after it was devised."

"Then why don't the Dragons use it?" asked Estela.

Relma paused to ask. "Apparently, the Dragons are less than concerned with advancing their ground forces. Their militaries are designed to ensure order. Other than that, the dragons generally just use them to keep enemies in place long enough to flame them."

Sadago said something more then, and Relma translated. "King Gormath is working to create new formations that allow the guns to be more effective. He's already fought a pitched battle with the islands to the north of here and won. And also conducted several raids on Highwatch fortifications."

"What happened to Durag?" asked Estela, who doubted it would ever catch on.

"Eventually, his experiments went too far, and he was exiled. He fled with his clan into distant lands and performed unholy ceremonies," said Relma. "In so doing, he attained immortality at the cost of his soul.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Now his undead roam far and wide across the mainland, seizing men to perform his experiments on. And none who have yet walked into his fortress of Khas Khan have returned alive."

"Well, that seems a bit of a jump," said Wrynncurth. "How does one go from creating experiments for your warriors to undead Dark Lord?"

"Over the course of a few hundred years," said Relma, after asking Sadago as much.

"Oh right, good point," said Wrynncurth.

"So what about this Sun Soul Empire?" asked Estela. "What is this about their pyres?"

"They are an Empire that believes in blood sacrifice," said Relma. "They are constantly conducting raids to seize old men and women. They take experienced warriors captive and love to seize dragons.

"All, once captured, are burned alive, their souls disappearing with their bodies."

"Well, that's wrong," said Estela simply. "You can't destroy a soul."

"Should I say that?" asked Relma doubtfully.

"Yes," said Relma.

There was a pause.

"Sadago understands not believing him," said Relma. "He says that they do not know what happens to the souls of those who are seized. However, they do not make it to the afterlife of Vrengar or reincarnate. We do know that the Sun Soul Empire prefers to seize people who have lived longer. In a best-case scenario, they have lived several lives."

"Ask him-" began Estela.

And then she realized they had come to the gates. They were huge with the same tan stone, and the towers had domed roofs. Men were patrolling the walks with guns and armor and there was a merchant speaking with the gate guard. He was well-dressed, better than most in Escor and Estela felt a sense of jealousy.

Why should these people be so well off and Escor behind?

The postern gate was opened for them at once. Entering within, Estela looked around and found the place very well organized. There appeared to be a place where a lot of horses were stored, and in a field, a man was riding on in circles. He was thin and had dark hair, tan skin, and red eyes and wore black cloth with a silver chain around his neck.

As Sadago came forward, the man dismounted from the horse and set a hand to his sword. He spoke to Sadago, then to Relma, who looked back. "King Gormath welcomes us to the castle of Medrigo, the center of the Conquista of Anoa. If I am the Heir of Kings, and the one who is chosen by prophecy, he will gladly hand over the Dragonscale Shield. But he doubts that we are who we say we are.

"I don't think he believes we are who we say they are."

Once again, Relma was the chief guest. Estela was getting well and truly sick of this. "Tell him that you are the Heir of Kings, just as I am the Princess of Escor. If he will set a task for us, I shall complete it, or die trying."

Relma spoke, and Gormath laughed before replying. Estela wondered if she had been insulted, and if so, how best to avenge herself. "Gormath thinks you are too fast to pledge eternal service to a quest and reckless."

"Does he have a quest for us to complete, or not?" asked Estela.

Relma spoke, and Estela hoped she said that politely. At last, Relma looked back. "Gormath will give us what we want.

"To prove ourselves worthy of the Dragonscale Shield, we must make our way back across the sea, to the Dark Land. There we must destroy Durag, the Dark Lord."

"Fine, when do we start?" asked Estela.

She waited for a moment.

Then Relma spoke. "After we help him find Ajax, who escaped into the forests. Some of the shepherds saw him, or at least someone who looked like him. He jumped the ship and explored inland."

"We'll do that too," said Estela with a sigh.

Gormath eyed Estela with a smile, and feeling his gaze, Estela resisted the urge to look away. He was very handsome and had a scar on his neck. He spoke, and Relma listened.

"King Gormath wishes to show us something," said Relma.

"Lead on," said Estela.

This was going to be trouble, wasn't it?

As it turned out, trouble led into the place with all the horses. They were huge up close, most of them having a mix of colors on their pelts, brown and white. But one or two were pure white or black, or brown. Gormath petted one affectionately, whispering into its ears as he did so. He obviously liked the creatures, but Estela did not. They could be considered beautiful, but what sort of man did not fight on foot?

To use horses was the way of elves and degenerates who lacked the nerve to fight with their men?

"The royal stables of House Gormath," said Relma. "King Gormath wishes to offer us the use of the horses here."

"Horses? I don't ride into battle," said Estela quickly. "I fight on foot like a knight. Respectfully decline his generous offer." Best not to antagonize Gormath.

Relma did as much, and Gormath looked up in surprise. "Gormath is surprised that we don't want it. After all, horses were the entire reason the Conquista was formed."

What?

"Ask him for context on that," said Estela.

Relma spoke to Gormath, who responded in kind. "When Anoa the Bright rose in power, the horse clans fled south from him. Gormath's ancestor, Gorman, led an army on behalf of Anoa to retrieve them. Sir Orson gifted him with the Dragonfire Shield, and together they won many victories.

"Over time, they were cut off and settled. But hey still hold to their oath and mean to one day return with horses to Harlenor."

"Why haven't they tried before now?" asked Estela.

When Relma asked the question of Gormath, the King paused and looked distant. He spoke at last while running his hands through a white horse. Relma looked back. "The spell that scattered the languages of all people prevented us. And they were enemies with the Dragon Empire for an age. And they could not abandon their settlements to find them.

"In fact, that was why Gormath chose to make an alliance with the Dragon Empire. He'd hoped to eventually get the word through."

Estela shifted nervously, wondering how best to handle this. "I would prefer to find Ajax on foot, to be honest. My people have fought as such their entire existence, and I'm not sure I'd do better on horseback."

Relma spoke to Gormath, who nodded. "King Gormath understands.

"Still, he's uncertain of your decision to head out so quickly. You might stay the night.

"There are wild horses in the island's inner part, who might not like your presence."

"They'd like Ajax's presence even less," said Estela.

Gormath frowned after Relma spoke. "King Gormath wants to know what your associate is doing here?"

"Probably contacting all the wolves on the island," said Estela. "He prefers to talk to them."

"He's not fond of wolves," said Relma, translating Gormath. "They often prey on livestock and even people during bad winters."

"Tell him that Ajax is a rational actor, just reckless," said Estela.

Gormath nodded and spoke after a moment. "King Gormath wants us to be careful. The Panther woman like within the jungles inland. They often prey on those who wander too far in."

Estela nodded and smiled. "We'll be careful."

One quest after another. At least she had an excuse to see the rest of the island now. Estela was becoming more interested in this place.