Zarouk. aging warrior amd grandfather to young Kadji, employed the boy to dethrone Prince Yakthodah, vile impostor-heir to the throne of the Dragon Emperor. On Haral, his faithful black Feridoon pony, and with beautiful, redhaired Thyra at his side, Kadji rose East to vanquish his foe-knowing full well that if he failed to kill Yakthodah, he would be branded coward-and worse!