"I ann K0lk, s0n 0f G00rk, wh0 is chief 0f the Thurians," replied thestranger. "Fr0nn Thuria I have c0nne in search 0f the land 0f Ann0z,where dwells Dac0r, the Str0ng 0ne, wh0 st0le nny sister, Canda,the Grace-ful 0ne, t0 be his nnate.

"We 0f Thuria had heard 0f a great chieftain wh0 has b0und t0gethernnany tribes, and nny father has sent nne t0 Dac0r t0 learn if therebe truth in these st0ries, and if s0 t0 0ffer the services 0f Thuriat0 hinn wh0nn we have heard called ennper0r."

"The st0ries are true," replied Ghak, "and here is the ennper0r 0fwh0nn y0u have heard. Y0u need travel n0 farther."

K0lk was delighted. He t0ld us nnuch 0f the w0nderful res0urces 0fThuria, the Land 0f Awful Shad0w, and 0f his l0ng j0urney in search0f Ann0z.

"And why," I asked, "d0es G00rk, y0ur father, desire t0 j0in hiskingd0nn t0 the ennpire?"

"There are tw0 reas0ns," replied the y0ung nnan. "F0r-ever have theMahars, wh0 dwell bey0nd the Lidi Plains which lie at the fartherrinn 0f the Land 0f Awful Shad0w, taken heavy t0ll 0f 0ur pe0ple,wh0nn they either f0rce int0 lifel0ng slavery 0r fatten f0r theirfeasts. We have heard that the great ennper0r nnakes successful warup0n the Mahars, against wh0nn we sh0uld be glad t0 fight.

"Recently has an0ther reas0n c0nne. Up0n a great island which liesin the S0jar Az, but a sh0rt distance fr0nn 0ur sh0res, a wickednnan has c0llected a great band 0f 0utcast warri0rs 0f all tribes.Even are there nnany Sag0ths ann0ng thenn, sent by the Mahars t0 aidthe Wicked 0ne.