The party break the cordon of Imperial troops surrounding Woodwych and come across a young Palian warrior called Manic. He is lost and worried by the Imperial presence in Urnst and almost immediately Luther discovers that he is a naturally talented exponent of the power words.

As they move west through Urnst they witness a young local girl being hunted by four Imperial soldiers. Dismet takes matters into her own hands by ‘kidnapping’ the girl - who is called Velion - from under the noses of the soldiers. Velion is grateful and travels with them, recounting how she escaped the clutches of the Imperials who are embarked upon a program of branding all locals. This branding disgusts the party, particularly Dismet, who learns of the grand duke, Orshak, who is carrying out the emperor’s wishes with great fervour. Velion tells the party of a group of outlaws who have set up home in the Cairn Hills and since the party are heading that way they agree to take her to them.

Before long the party are confronted by a patrol of forty Imperials, who are questioning any travellers in an attempt to hide their treachery at Woodwych. The sergeant-at-arms is a man called Myasin and his arrogant manner soon begins to irritate Dismet and her companions. Myasin demands that Velion be handed over to him for branding and a brief impasse ensues. Anstran and Hyuga react simultaneously, and with such ferocity that the patrol is completely unprepared for their destructive assault. The two mighty warriors slash left and right, decapitating the Imperials one by one with merciless strokes. Each Imperial patrol has a contingent of sorcerers or warrior / sorcerers to augment their power and these prepare to enter the melee. Luther feels their preparations and with supreme control utters a single word. All five sorcerers feel the full force of his enormous mind against theirs and they writhe in agony before their minds explode, dying within seconds.

Manic studies the wordmaster carefully and he too utters a word. Five more warriors clutch their heads as their minds are scrambled. The Imperials’ strategy is torn apart and as they concentrate upon Anstran and Hyuga’s murderous onslaught, Dismet nips in behind them and slits their unprotected throats. Before long all forty soldiers lie dead.

Velion is stunned by the skill and power of the attack. She urges the party to join with the outlaws in the Cairn Hills. Dismet declines her offer, saying that they merely wish passage to Greyhawk.

Several days later the party encounter Xerix, the massive tiger that Anstran rescued months earlier. Anstran is struck by the tiger’s ability to move invisibly, and Xerix explains that in his quest to find them he encountered Gorren, the demonic arbiter, who taught him the ways of quick travel and surreptitious movement. Xerix says that he will shadow the party in an attempt to aid their immediate quest. Anstran thanks his newest friend.

The party meet Ulvir, the outlaw leader, who hears of their tale from Velion and shelters and feeds them for a night before they move on the next morning. Their journey through the Cairn Hills is relatively quiet. Two days outside Greyhawk they spot a ship heading for Greyhawk whose masts are covered by vultures and a cloud of ever-present insects.

Upon reaching Greyhawk they encounter a group of demonological students who attack them. Hyuga cuts the seven youngsters down easily and without mercy. Eventually Anstran reaches the Shield Land Embassy where they are afforded the utmost hospitality by Brakor, the ambassador.

Brakor informs them that the new king, Mandrigan, is desperate to speak to Anstran and Hyuga. They learn of the construction of a mighty academy of magic at Admund Fort and something of the feud between the new king and Skarvik.

They meet Solman, a brute of a man who wears a greatsword and is almost as tall as Hyuga. He is the most favoured of Mandrigan’s sorcerers, although his appearance is that of a knight. His manner is congenial and he seems genuinely pleased to greet them. He arranges the royal yacht be prepared for an immediate departure to Admund Fort and the long awaited meeting with king Mandrigan.

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