The ships anchored themselves out from the coast, small row boats transporting the troops and supplies to the shore. It took nearly all day and plenty of endurance but eventually they began to pitch camp. Across the beach were hundreds of small canvas tents, durable enough to survive the harsh conditions of the Eastern Deserts and more than enough to house a few ponies. They were scattered across the shore in random clusters, each surrounding their assigned captain’s tent. Fires were lit and everypony took some time to rest their hooves from the long journey.

Some began to already miss home, but many others found the prospect of a new land hard to resist. It was almost exactly as the Khan had described it; lush and green, sands golden and silky, water cool and clear. As the sun faded behind the far off hills, illuminating the coast in a golden glow, the troops began to break out the ale. Although many of the captains hinted against such acts, Azzal insisted that they be treated on the eve of battle. Sil Ran obviously had no say in this, for he had spent the past day cooped up in his tent away from his fellow pony.

Across the camp many ponies began to sing until it echoed as a massive chant. Captains nervously nibbled their hooves at the thought of the racket giving away their position, Azzal merely brushing it off. He knew the cove well, a secluded area away from any nearby settlements. No pony would find them out here at this hour at least.

Farewell we call to hearth and hall!

Though wind may blow and rain may fall,

We must away ere break of day

Far over wood and mountain tall.

To the west, where they yet dwell

In glades beneath the misty fell,

Through moor and waste we ride in haste,

And whither then we cannot tell.

With foes ahead, behind us dread,

Beneath the sky shall be our bed,

Until at last our toil be passed,

Our journey done, our errand sped.

When the moon was at its peak the troops began to retire, their captains urging them to rest after a hard night. The tents that circled Azzal’s were not so quick to depart however. The old general sat by the fire, his troops slowly drawing near to him. They all rested in the warm glow as the calm silence set in around them. From the woods they could hear a number of birds and beasts, some friendly, others not so. Azzal has spoken of them, he had warned of the many dangers to be had.

“Sir.” One of the soldiers broke the stillness, turning to look at the battle scarred stallion. “How did you come by these lands? Was it simply that you were lost searching for your way home, or did you seek out new land?”

Azzal turned to face the stallion, scratching his chin a little. “Indeed, how is it that I came to these lands long ago? I wander here and there, across many ranges and fields. I never had any idea as to where I was going or what I hoped to accomplish, but I pressed on none the less.

“You see twenty years ago I found the road north from the Badlands. As I followed the road I came across many small settlements, some no bigger than our own villages. But as I drew near the heart, oh, I found their crown jewel. It was a city unlike any other I had seen, such stonework surely only gods could have constructed it. But soon I would find I was correct.

“Equestria is ruled over by two immortal sisters; Saulė and Mėnulis, or in the common tongue, Celestia and Luna.  They founded the monarchy that would hold these ponies in check for millennia, their power unquestioned. Two rulers who could never die.

“But when anypony lives too long or is too powerful then a madness seeps in. This madness took form in the neglecting of our own land. The sun was held in perfect tune here while it relentlessly beat our home. They cast their backs to all others, Equestria becoming here favourer realm. We were abandoned to face the world on our own. And that is why we are here.”

By now Azzal had attracted quite the audience, mares and stallions all sat around like fillies listening to an old campfire story. The Khan sighed heavily, resting back on his forelegs. Many knew that they had come here to make war, and many others already knew that it was for the conquest of land, but none knew of how personal the issue really was.

“B-But what are you? Where do you come from?”

Azzal was almost amused at his question, half expecting something different. “I am no pony and I come from nowhere. I have wandered so long that even I have no memory of where it all began.”

Whispers were traded among the troops, another mare speaking out after a minute or so of idle discussion. “Some of the soldiers have been saying things… about Lord Sil Ran. They say he believes there is no hope, that we all go to our deaths.” So word had begun to spread, and like a game of Chinese whispers details had been added and taken. “Is it true.”

“The old captain id well known for his brute strength and his cunning, yet he possesses one fatal flaw, one that can be fatal in battle: fear. He fears defeat then he shall have it, he fears rebellion and, well… you understand well enough. The colt is a fool.”

Unease began to spread among the troops until Azzal spoke up again. “Do not let these affairs weigh your mind, for I already have a plan that will solve all of this. I ask that you only be ready for change when it comes. Now, let us move on from this talk of war and politics, for I have a few stories of my own. As with age comes experience, and as with experience comes a few good tales.”

The soldiers began to relax again, perplexed at his cryptic words but ensnared none the less. The stallion had a talent for speaking.

“Where to begin? Maybe you may like to hear of my part in the Second Griffon Wars? Those were some difficult times and I barely returned with my limbs. I think their ling still assumes I’m dead. I think it may be best to leave it that way for now.

Next Chapter: Bloody Griffons Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 25 Minutes