They descended to the heavy vibration of the advancing column. It took everything from the lower realm riders to maintain the calm and control of their steeds, but Gu Xiulan was proud to say that none of her men allowed their beasts to panic or for the order of march to be disrupted. They maintained their formation in the face of the incessant beat of the giants' advance.

And it was a giant, from down here, on a level with it, the Guo march was intimidating. The rapid beat of the titan scorpion's legs as it skittered through the dust was a constant boneshaking beat. The whine and hum of windstones and floating towers, the crackling electricity in the air, jittered on her skin. The signaling roar of tigers, clawed at the instinctive human fears in the depths of her mind.

Gu Xiulan rode at the front with her head held high, chin tilted up, one hand on the reigns, showing not a sign of it, and her men took their confidence from her unruffled demeanor. The banners of the Gu flew high among them sparking flame qi making the symbols stand out in the increasingly dusty air. Mighty as their overlords were this was the Gu family’s land, and she was not about to allow them to show the visiting duke any sloppiness in their disciple.

It was an outrider first, men on the back of scorpions more of a size with horses, and at their head was a face she recognized. Guo Sho, the clan scion she had met as an outrider on the road, in the midst of her journey home.

“Well, a fine welcome indeed, to see the young Miss Gu here to greet us promptly!” Guo Sho called. In his armor, he swayed back and forth with the bustling skitter of his scorpion mount one hand on the reigns bolted into its chitin Even in the dust, his green armor shone with a mirror polish, the carapace-like molding catching the light.

His voice echoed over the thunder of the columns approach, carried by wind and heat.

“It is my honor to greet the lords of the Golden Fields, and give my family’s thanks for your response in our plight,” Gu Xiulan called back, amplifying her own voice as her mount drew to a stop the.

“We would be poor lords indeed if we did not answer the oaths sworn under sun and dust, to come when the dead are marching,” he called back, completing the traditional exchange. “But the road is no place for a long conversation. “Lady Gu, my great-Uncle, and the Ambassador of the West would both like to speak with you, on matters near and far. Would you and your men accept our invitation aboard Father Wan Li San.”

She looked up at the titanic scorpion. That was a name known to her. The Ten Thousand Li Mountain, a third generation descendant of Grandfather Fortress, the Guo’s own Sublime Ancestor, whose tread had beaten out trails that had become the great road network of the Golden Fields. Whatever was happening, their dukes were taking it with utmost seriousness. Gu Xiulan gave a sharp nod, and moved to follow in his wake.

***

Boarding the great beast was a fraught affair. Even the best trained of low realm horses balked and whinney’d at their approach, requiring much tending and coaxing in order to approach wide ramp of liquid stone which flowed down as the beast stopped and lowered its belly to earth. The ramp descending like a flowing gray river from the castle above, solidifying only when it stretched to the sand, becoming hard and featureless stone. She ascended it with poise herself beside Guo Sho and Zheng Nan.

The fortification upon Wan Li San back was a series of long low structures built into the great foundation fused onto his shell. Only the central keep, built in the style of an ornate pagoda, rose higher than two stories. Her men were lead to the barracks, their beasts to the stables.

Gu Xiulan, Zheng Nan, and Guo Sho, headed for the center.

Inside the central fort they passed by numerous soldiers in Guo panopoly, and even more servants and clerks, rushing too and fro on the tasks of their superiors. Guo Sho led them past it all, to the lords chamber at the core of the structure. It was plainer than her father’s throne room in sheer decor, but the six red pillars supporting its roof all but hummed with the power of the formations that ran through the castle. The raised dais on the rear wall had its screen set aside, and its occupant sat upon a low but ornate throne of intricately carved wood… Original Lu make if Gu Xiulan’s eye was right.

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He was a tall, lithe man, in the way the Guo clan usually were, his silver shot hair tied back in a long braid that was tucked into the belt of pale green armor. He wore heavy gauntlets with backward sweeping blades forged along their outer edge. At the foot of the dais was a woman of the clan. She wore a sleek, form fitting dress of green silk, embroiders with curling scorpion tails. She held a blade edged fan in one hand, fluttering before her face. It’s panels were painted with whorling flames.

“My Lord Uncle, I bring to you the daughter of Lord Gu, here to greet us as we enter their lands,” Guo Sho announced, walking ahead of them, sweeping a bow. “My guests you stand in the presence of General Guo Lang, Claw of the East! With him is Ambassador Guo Xinhua,”

Zheng Nan hung back behind her, eyes wandering over the painted panels in the room, depicting the struggles of reuinifying the Golden Fields. Gu Xiulan stepped forward, and bowed low the waist with her hands clasped, in utmost respect. “This humble daughter of the Golden Fields greets our lords, and welcomes them to the lands overseen by the Gu. We are grateful beyond measure to see such aid directed our way.

“Young Miss of the Gu, the bravery of your clan in defending the people against the surge of the dead has been heard by the Duke in the distant East,” the old man said, his voice as worn a gravely as his sunworn features. We would not allow our subjects to suffer such alone.”

“Though this column is not only for the Gu,” Guo Xinhua said, examining her. The woman’s eyes were sharp as daggers, and Gu Xiulan felt as if she were being picked apart. “With Father Wan Li San, a new cordon shall be raised in the south, that the fell power of the Grave may be contained again.”

Gu Xiulan carefully raised her head, remaining in a lowered posture. “Then that is the source of this. The Grave of the Sun grows in power again?”

Guo Lang frowned deeply. “It is as you fear. There is a disruption in the oasis network, and among the roadstones. Something is stirring in the south, and it rouses the dead. Something is moving the eastern wastes and stirring them more. Let it be said that both Duke Guo and Grandfather Fortress move to the east to solve one of these problems.”

“And I go to the west, to the court of Xiangmen, to determine if the rumors and war in the south is the source of the other,” the Ambassador said.

“But, these are not your concerns young lady of the Gu. Know that the men of Guo now arrive to ensure that your brave defense does not falter. But it is late in the day and you are our guest. You may rest, and tomorrow, guide us to your Lord Father.”

“I would do so without sleep or fare, if you but asked,” Gu Xiulan replied. Another formality. They knew the way well enough. “But for your hospitality, I can only offer my thanks.”

Guo Lang inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement, only then looking past her shoulder. “And you, young Lord of the Zheng, what is your purpose here?”

“The same as my bond sister, who I can feel lurking around here somewhere,” Zheng Nan said with a grin. “Was a messenger, but a Zheng doesn;t run when a scrap starts eh? Just escorting Lord Gu’s daughter here, as thanks for putting up with me.”

It was, Gu Xiulan decided, good that she was not subject to the cold stare the ambassador directed at Zheng Nan, who, for once in his life looked vaguely uncomfortable, even if he didn’t lower his head over it.

Guo Lang gave the woman a quelling look, and she turned her head, her fan fluttered once, pale rose pink flames becoming storming clouds. “Yes, one of your kin came with a message. She is here, as you have felt. It seems the intuition of the Zheng is good as your sister informed us that you would be here as well. Does the Zheng clan intend to continue offering support?”

“...We’re on offer, for a few more months anyway,” Zheng Nan said. “More than that… it’s gotta depend on what your return letter says to the old folks I’d guess.”

“The same answer,” Guo Lang said, stroking his chin.

“Frustrating,” Guo Xinhua said frostily.

“Hm, regardless, the two of you may partake of your rest here aboard the Father, and in the morning. You will escort me to meet Lord Gu, until then…”

“My daughter will be your guide. She is outside, with your… bond-sister,” Guo Xinhua said. “Rest well, valiant daughter of the Gu… and keep your wits about you.”

Gu Xiulan bowed again, parsing the woman's statement. She stole a glance at Zheng nan, who still seemed to be futile trying to scuttle out from under the womans gaze. It was amusing, seeing him squirm for once. “Thank you, Lord and Lady Guo. I will take my leave now.”