And anything could creep up to the edge of the road without being spotted.”

Kormak said, “Balthazar’s papers claim there are tribes in there that still worship the Old Ones and worse.”

“That’s hardly news, Guardian,” Zamara said. “Every Siderean hears that from birth. We tore this land out of the hands of the moondogs and their Shadow-loving kin. We conquered the coastal tribes, but a remnant fled into the jungle and remains there still waiting for the bad old days to return.”

“You’ve been reading Balthazar’s papers?” Anders said. “Why?”

“According to Governor Aurin, our friend Balthazar used to visit the jungles a lot. He wanted to study the tribes, win their confidence, before leading them back to the Sun. At least, that’s what he told the priests.”

Zamara nodded his agreement. “A copper piece will get you a gold solar that he had other things on his mind during his little missionary expeditions.”

“That’s not a bet I’d take,” said Kormak.

“Damn. I was hoping for some easy money. You're not very cooperative with my financial plans, Sir Kormak.”

“I don’t have the prospects of a Captain General to look forward to.”

“I am sure the King-Emperor will reward you greatly on the success of this mission.”

“If the mission is a success,” Kormak said. He kept his voice quiet so that he could not be overheard by the marching soldiers.

Zamara shot him a sidelong look. “That’s not the sort of spirit you usually show. I detect a distinct lack of enthusiasm for our quest in your voice, Guardian. Why would that be?”

“Would you count the mission a success if we found more like Vorkhul? He nearly killed us all back in Trefal, and we had the King-Emperor and his armies close at hand. What if we find more and set them loose? Anders seems to think it a possibility.”

“It’s not a very reassuring thought.”

“You can understand then why it makes me uneasy.”

“Now you’re frightening me, Guardian. I tend to think that anything that makes you uneasy should leave me terrified.”

“What makes you think I am not?”

Zamara laughed. “At least you have not lost your sense of humour.”

* * *

“What do you think our chances are?” Kormak asked Anders. The mercenary had climbed forward on the wagon and leaned against the back of the seat.

“Of what?”

“Getting through to the lost city of Xanadar.”

Kormak felt Rhiana tense beside him. She was listening even if she appeared to be reading. The driver kept his eyes fixed too firmly on the road ahead. He too wanted to know. No doubt he would be gossiping about it around the fire tonight.

“Let’s get there first,” Anders said. “Before we worry about that, we’ve got to get through the jungle and then up through the mountains and then we need to cross the wastelands. All of them are dangerous if you’re not prepared.”

“In what way?”

“I told you before. The tribes don’t like us. They think we’ve taken their land. You can’t exactly blame them for it. We have. And I’m sure our friend Balthazar will find allies when he tells them that they need to come and kill us.”

“I heard they were primitives,” Rhiana said. “Will they really be any threat to a large party of well-armed and armoured warriors?”

“I’ve known plenty of people who died thinking that,” Anders said.

“That sounds ominous,” Rihanna replied.