Further discussions with Nebunnadar reveal that there were at least two more keeps similar to the Ogre Kalé along the western border. Nazeem and Hamar ask if he may send a priest of Zunshit to Aq’Qallat to start a temple there. Nebunnadar confers with Fana’is , his priest, and it is agreed that Fana’is’ young acolyte should be sent.

Upon discovering this agreement, Raschid is almost apoplectic in his rage! A bitter dispute follows between Hamar, Nazeem and their Vizier, in which Raschid finally consents to the Lords wishes, though making private mutterings regarding the chancy life prospects for a young neophyte on the hard frontier....

Zunshit appears to have grown somewhat, and so Djan makes enquiries in the tavern as to where any of the newcomers might have come from. Answers vary from an evasive “The borders of Bilal” to two new arrivals from the heartlands of the Turkhanate. Some others leave the tavern, seemingly to avoid questioning.

Rabaht reports that word has reached him that the destroyed village of Ghazri used to have a priest.

This intelligence digested, the Magi call on those people of Zunshit who crave adventure to step forward and accompany them to the Ruin of Khoram. There is much shuffling of feet and even after one of Raschid’s stirring speeches, they only produce a rousing cheer “for the Bold Lords of Despond, who ride to rid the borderlands of the great evils they have found”. Nebunnadar smoothes over the embarrassing situation by offering to ask his troopers for volunteers to ride with the party, and one Taanum accepts.

En Route to Khoram, Raschid communes with the Horses, and is pleasantly pleased to find they consider him to be a good weight.

Nazeem uses ESP to read the thoughts of Taanum, while Hamar and Raschid question him. He is loyal enough to Nebunnadar, who rides out often to scout the surrounding lands, though Taanum seems oddly hostile to both the Lords of Despond themselves, and the people of Zunshit. the prospects of growth and peace do not overly excite him, but he rather seems resigned to it.

Camp is made and once more the party approach Khoram on foot. A slow exploration of the city is made, though it now seems truly deserted. The Seminary is explored in detail, and numerous records, texts, religious writings, music, and assorted paperwork are found, enough for at least three horse-loads, so with the exception of a nicely illuminated book for Hamar, they are left. A defensible town house is found in the central square, and a large house next to the seminary is broken into by Taanum. climbing to the roof, the rest of the group descend into the house while Taanum stands watch above. Signs of habitation are found, and it is presumed that this was the living place of the priest who has been troubling the Magi. further investigation leads to an ambush by Ghouls and a subsequent scrambled chase through the building, with Djan and Nazeem being paralysed. Raschid's Invocation of Ilmanar is a literal godsend, and the group retire to the defensible house to recover..

Further investigation reveals an overview of the town, the location of the Brass souq, now looted bare, and further evidence of great destruction.

Moving on to the mines, Gnoll tracks are discovered. With visions of an army of compliant gnoll allies the party enter in, calling out in all the languages they know, though sadly not gnollish, that they come in peace. Diplomacy fails however, and a gnollish charge is met with a fireball, whereupon a melee ensues. Three gnolls are taken captive, and the party retire with captives stoutly bound and muzzled.

• Chapter Twentyfour