The 5th kataphracti rode out to investigate reports of unrest. Riding through a canyon on Irthuin they were met at its mouth by a Thorcin thane, Hadric Lawfinder. Hadric consulted with the polemarch for a few moments before stabbing him to death. The rest of the column was ambushed from above, and 90% of the legion slaughtered. Hadric took the phlamoulon as his trophy. Arden and Vul were sent to scout the scene before more troops were sent. The pair investigated many Thorcin villages until they tracked down Hadric at a longhouse built deep in the woods next to a shrine to Fenth. There they slew Hadric and some priests of Fenth and recovered the phlamoulon. The heroes were aided by one of the surviving members of the 5th kataphracti, the tulwar-wielding Lucius Minux.

When Arden completed the Labor, there is a reference to Arden, Vul, and Lucius Minux presenting two items to the emperor, a triangular phlamoulon (likely of the 5th Kataphracti) and a grapefruit-sized acorn.