Welcome to the Dessert.

"At the heart of the desert lies the lands of the Tuariz. Tuarland is the greatest kingdom in the desert lands and one of the only two kingdoms that were not conquered by the second Mashirotzu, Mikato Sanada.

"Mikato launched a war against the whole of Mundillum after his brother, the first Mashirotzu was betrayed and murdered by the Elves of Prasiemgard. Mikato's wars led to the birth of the largest and strongest empire in the known history of Mundillum.

"He defeated the Elves coalition armies at the battle of Bravegya and decapitated four of the seven great Elven-kings who plotted his brother's assassination. The others fell in battle.

"The Elves' final attempt to protect their lands and people against Mikato and his armies failed when the dragons descended on them burning two thousand of their armies in minutes.

"He defeated the Dwarves at Stonehaven and by the time he was done, only the Nubianians and the Tuariz resisted him enough for him to lose interest in conquering them."

"But if they're so great, why do they ask for our help now?" Tenoko asked.

"Well, the Story Saito was narrating before you interrupted him happened hundreds of years ago and we're now allies with the Tuariz.

"They have a strong army but the Sultan fear he has a traitor in his camp, that's why he contacted Lord Hanada to help." Captain Hadeshi replied.

"Tenoko's inquisitiveness is acceptable, Captain. It reminds me of my daughter," Saito said laughing.

"Hmmn how long has it been since you last saw her?"Hadeshi asked.

"It'll be a year in two days, Captain,"

"Girls need their fathers, you know? You should seek for a leave when we're done with this Tuari business."

"What is our mission here anyway, Captain?"Sabato asked.

"Forbearance is bitter but its fruit is sweet, Sabato," the captain replied without paying much attention to the newest member of his squad.

"The gods have perfect timing, never early and never too late," Saito added.

Captain Hadeshi nodded his head in agreement as they continued riding slowly through the desert. They rode beasts called Algarneesh by the desert dwellers. The Algarneesh are large, ugly, long-necked beasts, covered in thick brown furs. They are only found in the desert.

They had ridden for three days since they were dispatched from camp Mikato. Most of them are no strangers to the heat and the extreme conditions of the desert since they operate in that part of the world.

Camp Mikato was a war camp built by Mashirotzu Mikato during his attempts to conquer the desert. When he finally agreed to let the Tuariz maintain their sovereignty and pay tributes to Snowlandia in return, the camp was part of the deal. It was to remain there as a consulate and also used to house the Snow's Black hands, which was just created by Mikato then.

Sabato appeared exhausted, he opened his Canteen and started gulping the water that remained in it.

"This is the desert, lad. You need to manage everything you've got, or it'll be the end of you!" the captain yelled at him.

He quickly stopped and closed the canteen. He felt a hand on his shoulder, looked back and it was one of his squad mates.

"Hey, kid. The captain speaks the truth, you know? Dehydration and hunger would kill you here before any other creature if you let it." Kanji whispered.

"I have a feeling he doesn't like me very much, senior Kanji."

"You're a bastard from one of the noble clans, aren't you?"

"I'm from the Aokami clan, senior."

Why did you join the hands? You're a Raitori rider, aren't you? I saw your beast at the camp. It was magnificent.

"Yes, I am a rider but...I couldn't join the common army because I'm a rider and my clan wouldn't accept a bastard son of their lord into the Aokami knighthood."

"Well, that's quite a story. We all got ours. The captain is the Mashirotzu's bastard, you know?" Kanji spoke as low as he could.

I heard stories of how he was the greatest black hand during the munguno war when he was just sixteen years of age and how he is the best captain now. I requested to serve under him because of the stories." Sabato replied.

"The stories are true, kid. He would die for his squad without thinking twice. If you're going to survive the life that has been chosen for you, a life of murder and darkness in the name of your country, you need the best Captain in the game."

They got to the gates of Dhamaluhn and they were stopped by the Thearali. The Thearali is the most elite of all Tuari forces and they're headed by the famous general Jhakubi.

" From your all-black clothing and armor, I take it you're the black hands of Snowlandia," General Jhakubi looked at them one after the other.

He was a man of great height. His height and muscular appearance earned him the nickname The giant of Dahmaluhn.

I am captain Hadeshi Sanada of the black hands. I take it you're general Jhakubi of the Thearali.

"I've heard a lot about you, Captain. I hope you're as good as they say you are," he signaled to the city guards and they opened the great golden gates of the city.

Sabato marveled at the sight of the city that greeted them.

"It's so beautiful," he said with his mouth half-opened.

"Yes, it is," Saito replied.

"Wait till we get to the brothels before you talk about beauty," Kanji mumbled and they all started to laugh.

"You boys should stay out of trouble while I discuss with the Sultan. We're visitors here, enjoy the hospitality but don't overstep your boundaries," Hadeshi said.

"Yes captain," they all chorused.

"Saito is in charge until I get back."

Hadeshi headed for the sultan's palace and the rest of the squad headed to the brothels.

He had been to Dahmaluhn as a padawan when he just joined the black hands. He thought it was the most beautiful place in the world but since then his missions had not brought him back there.

"Welcome to the golden palace of Dahmaluhn, captain," General Jhakubi murmured as the guards saluted him and let them into the palace gates.

"This place is as beautiful as I remembered," Hadeshi murmured.

They made their way to the throne room and there the old Sultan sat on his golden throne, his crown prince sat beside him to the right, and on the left princess, Raymah sat.

"She is as beautiful as I remembered," Hadeshi thought to himself.

He had met the princes the first time he came to the Tuari capital and they immediately fell in love.

She was so curious about everything about him. He was the first northerner she met. His red and silver hair, which was a result of his mother being from Rotezland and his father being from the Sanada clan fascinated her and he was gladdened by the attention he got from the princess. She was also curious about dragons and about seeing the world, something she could never do because of her status as a princess.

He placed his hands together, raised them together above his head, and tilted his head down for a bow to greet them.

"Your royal Majesty Sultan Qoobus, your highness prince Yossef, your highness princess Raymah."

"I see you're still as well-mannered as you were the last time you came here, Hadeshi," the Sultan spoke in a low-toned voice.

Hadeshi's eyes widened in surprise. He was surprised the old Sultan still remembered him.

"I can see the shock on your face. I requested for you when I heard that you're a captain now," the Sultan smiled.

"Leave us," he signaled everyone to leave the throne room then came down from his throne.

"Come on, captain. Come sit beside me," he sat on a chair behind the throne. The sitting space had a clear view of the city.

"She is beautiful, isn't she?"

Hadeshi was confused. "What?" he mumbled.

"Yes, the princess is beautiful, Captain but I'm talking about the city," the Sultan replied, stared into Hadeshi's eyes, and smiled.

"Oh, Dahmaluhn is the most beautiful place in the whole of Mundillum, Sultan."

"Well, I am pleased that you think so. Now you must help me save it from an enemy within," the Sultan whispered.