"Mounts? Not till we reach the Talon Pass," Rebat said, limping towards that great landmark. Mazdak insisted on filling the silence, and Rebat just let him speak. He was not old, but there was something about being at the mercy of fate that makes one simply feel older. Rebat could never decide whether that was a condemnation by the gods or a reward.

Eventually, they saw the twin peaks marking the Talon Pass. They looked down at the two travelers with distant disdain, and Rebat felt himself humbled by its giant reach. Truly, a kobold may be great, but he may never be as great as Hetuis' many tails.

"State your business," came a voice behind the pair. Rebat couldn't help but chuckle to himself. A classic kobold tactic, as old as Arjun the Brave. Sneak up on the enemy and scare them out of their wits before they get a good look. Rebat decided to face the voice, and found just what he expected. A kobold warband, covered head to toe in war paint made from the rock dust of the mountains. All but invisible in the terrain they found themselves in, if they chose to stand still.

"You address Commander Rebat, first legion of the kobold guard, under the service of His Might Rughoi the Unbound," Rebat said. He knew the password well enough. One kobold stepped forward and bowed low.

"We are honored to meet with a commander. What are you doing with an enemy of the state?" His eyes were directed squarely toward Mazdak, and it was obvious what he was thinking.

"That is a diplomat, captain. He would like, no doubt, to be home as soon as possible. If you would let us pass," Rebat said. He didn't make demands of his troops often. The captain nodded, and shouted to the warband, as they scurried back into the niches in the mountains, disappearing from vision once again. "With me, emissary," Rebat said, waving with a twisted claw and hobbling through. "I'd like to speak to the Grand Prince before he decides to raise his levies, thank you very much."