Beld, the Emperor of Marmo, an island south of Lodoss begins his plan to conquer Lodoss. He leads two subjects, Ashram the Black Knight, and Wagnard the Dark Sorceror. Karla also appears to be in cahoots with them. Parn trains with Ghim on becoming a stronger fighter, but then encounters a group of kobolds that are led by a dark elf. Deedlit tries to fight the elf, and the rest of the party arrive. The kobolds retreat when they see Alanian soldiers. But Parn is surprised when the Alanians capture them. In the cell, they meet Woodchuck for the first time, but then get their name cleared when the Alanian captain, Jebra, returns and acknowledges Etoh. Jebra offers Parn to join his army. But Parn does have much of a chance to accept as Ashram, the dark elf, and the kobolds later storm the fortress.