| Return of the Crimson Guard | |
|---|---|
| Dramatis Personae | Prologue |
| Diaspora's End | |
| Chapter 1 (I) | Chapter 2 (II) |
| Chapter 3 (III) | Chapter 4 (IV) |
| Chapter 5 (V) | |
| The Eternal Return | |
| Chapter 6 (I) | Chapter 7 (II) |
| Chapter 8 (III) | Chapter 9 (IV) |
| Chapter 10 (V) | Chapter 11 (VI) |
| Fates and Chances | |
| Chapter 12 (I) | Chapter 13 (II) |
| Chapter 14 (III) | Chapter 15 (IV) |
| Chapter 16 (V) | |
| Epilogue | Pagination |
Battle is for an army to win or lose; war is for civilization to win or lose.
Wisdom of Irymkhaza(The Seven Holy Books)
Quon Tali
The Crimson Guard have landed at Cawn, sacked it, and move inland towards Li Heng, their army reinforced by local conscripts.
Li Heng
Storo's mages suggest how they might survive in the face of overwhelming odds. Under the city is Ryllandaras, a semi-divine man-jackal. Though supposedly killed, he is only bound. If released outside the city he will kill enough of the besieging troops to narrow the odds.
Outside Li Heng Ghelel and the other commanders are aware of 'pirates' moving inland towards them. Then they learn that they are the Crimson Guard. Ghelel's troop travel to investigate and find their way blocked by the Guard, who have occupied a key bridge and the impregnable ruins of the Sanctuary of Burn. They are permitted to cross the bridge as they travel south, but are warned that they will not be allowed to return.
Inside Li Heng, Storo's party release Ryllandaras.
Jacuruku
Ereko's ship has arrived at the coast of Jacuruku. When they land they are given hospitality by a local emissary called Jhest Golanjar. He mentions that he speaks their language as he learned it from a contingent of the Crimson Guard who conquered a neighbouring kingdom.
The next day Jhest tries to recruit Traveller; when refused, he reveals himself to be a mage, causing Traveller to sink beneath the ground. While Ereko tries to retrieve Traveller, soldiers attack them but are killed by Kyle and his friends. Finally Traveller is brought back to the surface and kills Jhest. They depart on their reprovisioned ship.
Otataral Island
In The Pit the new arrivals have been caught spying by Yathengar, who takes them to the centre of their excavations where they have uncovered an enormous Jade figure. Yath causes it to exhale, and the resulting wind blows one of them, Grief, across the cavern. To everyone's surprise he isn't killed, and quickly recovers.
The newcomers then say they are there to rescue everyone. They climb the unclimbable cavern walls, overcome the guards, and lower a platform for the others to use.