It took Akress and his people all of the rest of the day of the battles, and most of the following day, to complete the horrific task of finding all of the enemy dead and stacking their remains for the pyres. At the same time a fairly strong, heavily armed, force was sent down the track, toward the valley, to recover the remains of their own dead; if possible.
The scene of this initial engagement was, at first glance, no more terrible than the battle fields at either end of the forest. Kuhlamann had taken no steps whatever to recover or dispose of the corpses of his vassals. But then they discovered what had befallen the remains of the young men and women of Al Fahd. What had been done to the bodies of those who had fallen in the course of their fighting withdrawal, was enough to cause more than a few to become wretchedly ill.
All had been mutilated in ways so horrible as to nauseate even some who were hardened old veterans. Not one of the bodies had been spared. Arms and legs, as well as heads and other bodily parts, had been hacked off. In turn these had been slashed into much smaller pieces; then scattered and strewn to the four winds. The heat, the stench, the flies, and the sight of the scavengers picking at these remains, was very nearly more than any of the men and women, assigned this bitter task, could bear.
Yet bear it they did and slowly, with great difficulty, they managed to recover those remains which could be identified as belonging to their friends and loved ones. These were placed on litters and into push carts and taken back for proper funeral rites. A more melancholy procession had never been seen by the people of Al Fahd; as it entered the settlement, disconsolate, bearing its appalling burdens.
Separate pyres were prepared as far from the battle fields, and their enormous stacks of the fallen enemy, as possible. The sights and sounds of grief and mourning were enough to crack the hardest of mortal hearts. Though they were still not entirely recovered from their own brush with death Xena and Gabrielle felt compelled to be present for the last rites of these their fallen friends.
As the sun was setting that evening Gander traveled first to one, then the other, of the battle fields. There, focusing his powers on the horrible piles of enemy dead, he set them ablaze. As the flames and billowing black smoke climbed ever higher in the darkening sky the odor became so foul it drove what few witnesses there were from the scene.
These conflagrations, sending tongues of fire more than fifty cubits in the air, continued to burn throughout the night. Their glow, reflecting from the bottoms of the lowering clouds, could be seen for many leagues.
Nor did the fires in the mountains go un-noticed. Gazing out from the tower of the fortress keep Kuhlamann saw, and fully understood, what was happening. He knew what fueled the two, huge, blazes he saw but these meant nothing so far as he was concerned. His fallen vassals were little more than useless, rotting, refuse to him. But there was the glow of several other, smaller, fires to be seen and it was these he viewed with intense pleasure. While he was still learning to increase the range to which he could effectively extend and use his powers he found the terrible grief he now felt, emanating from the area of those smaller blazes, most rewarding and enervating. The increase of power he was experiencing was not as great as he would have wished but this too would improve with time and practice. Yes. Time and practice. The two things he felt quite certain he would have plenty of.
The light from the pyres was also seen and noted as far off as the other end of the realm. The sight of them caused Maadrik deep concern. It was obvious something very important had happened and he had to find out what it was and as quickly as possible. To this end Maadrik dispatched a small squad of his younger men. Their mission was to go to the settlement to learn what had transpired and to inform Akress, Xena, and Gander that they were within a week or so of being ready to join them in the planned attack on the fortress.
This squad, five men in all, had covered only a few leagues before observing the first of the Sorcerer's patrols. Getting around them didn't prove too difficult but shortly they came close to running, full tilt, into another one. Very soon it became evident the Sorcerer had finally taken steps to secure much of the valley and that they would have to be far more cautious in their movements.
This information was considered important enough to send one of their number back to Maadrik; to warn him of the increased enemy activity. The rest of them continued on toward the mountains; though much more slowly and carefully.
Shortly before dawn, the following morning, having traveled only about a third of the distance between their fortified encampment and the settlement, Maadrik's men realized it would be necessary for them to find a concealed position and lay up during the day. They had been forced to take a number of detours around patrols and check points manned by Kuhlamann's vassals and it had become apparent it was going to be far more difficult and take somewhat longer for them to get where they were going. The closer they got to the beginning of the foot hills and the track leading up to the pass the more they saw of the Sorcerer's troops. These were, obviously, being positioned to interfere with any attempt by the people of Al Fahd to approach the valley.
It also became obvious that detailed information on the locations and strength of the various enemy positions and movements was going to be of critical importance. Using pieces of bark and the juice of berries they began to prepare maps detailing, as much as possible, the location and strength of each of the patrols and enemy posts they had encountered.
After sunset of the second day they continued their trek through the valley. Using every tree, bush, and natural declivity in the terrane for cover they pressed onward toward the foot hills and their goal. But, in doing so, they discovered the farther they went the more there were of Kuhlamann's black clad warriors to contend with.
About an hour before sun-up, of the third day, they found themselves in a small copse not far removed from where the track, leading up toward the pass, began. What they saw from their concealed position was the most worrisome thing they'd seen up to that point. There, straddling the track, they saw a large number of the Sorcerer's minions engaged in the first stages of building a large, heavily fortified, redoubt. Even more troubling was the sight of stables being constructed. Stables could mean only one thing. Cavalry.
It didn't take a great military mind to realize what these developments portended. Once complete and fully manned this redoubt could make it all but impossible for Xena's force to infiltrate the valley without being detected. They weren't sure of what might be done but they knew they had to get word to the mountain settlement without delay.
As they laid there watching the ongoing work they noticed a heavy fog bank beginning to roll in. Then and there they decided they would have to take a terrible gamble and press on. They also decided to split up into two groups of two men each. Taking somewhat different routes they figured to double their chances of getting through and warning the people of Al Fahd of what was afoot.
Keeping quite low, moving as quietly as they could, sometimes crawling on their bellies, with the heavy fog their only real cover, they managed to bypass the dangerous position. Once in the clear, out of sight of the redoubt, they elected to throw caution to the wind and took off at a dead run.
Several hours later the two who had remained close to the track had once again slowed to a brisk walk. They were less than two leagues from the beginning of the forest when they came, suddenly, to a stop. The wind, which was in their face, now carried a horrendous stench.
There was a sharp bend in the track ahead. Conferring together they decided to leave the track and cut cross country. The bend ahead could have concealed an ambush and they weren't about to take any chances.
After traversing a distance of more than a thousand cubits, and having seen no indication of a trap, they moved to rejoin the path. As they did so a scene of hideous carnage began to unfold before their eyes. Everywhere they looked there were corpses which, by now, had deteriorated to semi-skeletal remains.
Both awed and horrified the y drew their swords and began moving cautiously through the killing field. Obviously the battle which had taken place here had involved a large number of the Sorcerer's warriors and had been a terribly bloody affair. But as they proceeded on they began to take heart from the fact that all the cadavers they saw wore shredded, black, uniforms. There were still scavengers about and flies hovered and buzzed in huge, disgusting, clouds over what little was left of Kuhlamann's men but nowhere did they see the remains of any of their own people.
Once clear of the battle field they increased their pace to a trot. But even though they were now up-wind of the scene of battle the stink of death and corruption didn't lessen. Indeed it seemed to become stronger and it wasn't until the verge of the forest was in sight that they discovered the cause. There, a short distance off the track, opposite the beginning of the woods, was an enormous pile of charred bones and skulls interspersed with the fire twisted, melted, remnants of shields and weapons of all sorts.
They were still staring, somberly, at the grizzly pile when they were hailed by sentries from the forest's edge. Turning away from the ghastly sight they walked swiftly toward the tree line. As they approached an opening appeared in the bushes, as if by magic, and they passed through.
A little further into the woods they were confronted by a number of well armed, young, men and women. After stating they were from Maadrik they told the stern faced defenders they should expect two more of Maadrik's men, if they hadn't arrived already, and asked to be taken to Akress and the others at once: They had news and little of it was good.
Less than an hour later they stood before Akress, Xena, Gabrielle, Gander and the village elders. Delivering their report in a short but precise manner they handed over the rough yet reasonably accurate maps they had been able to produce. Then, having recounted all they could remember of their perilous trek, they were sent off to clean up and for food and rest.
The assemblage they left behind was anything but happy with what they had been told and shown. They variously sat or stood about, gloomily silent, contemplating these new, and decidedly unpleasant, developments.
"It would seem," said Gander, finally breaking the silence, "our little Sorcerer has decided to begin taking us seriously. It also appears he is beginning to learn a thing or two from the rather expensive lessons we've given him."
Xena turned to face Akress.
"Are there other passes through these mountains?" she asked. Akress gave her question some thought. Then, sadly, nodded his head.
"They aren't much," he said. "They're steep, narrow, treacherous, even down-right dangerous. No more than goat paths really. But yes there are other ways over and through the mountains and if Kuhlamann isn't concerned about losing a number of his men and mounts it is possible for them to get through."
"Then we don't have a week or so," Xena said decisively. "We don't even have a few days. It isn't going to take Kuhlamann's men very long to finish preparing that redoubt. Then, with a cavalry force of any strength using that position as a base, they could keep us bottled up in these mountains.
"Here, in this forest, we have the advantage; but only for the time being. The Sorcerer's forces still outnumber us by quite a bit and, out in the open, they might well be able to defeat us.
"And even if that were not the case merely being detected would be enough to deprive us of the element of surprise."
"And," Gander added, "once warned of an impending attack it would be much more difficult, maybe even impossible, for enough of us to gain access to the entrance to the secret passage without being spotted."
"Why haven't we heard about this before?" Gabrielle asked.
"Because," Xena explained, "our observation post is closer to the fortress than it is to this new, fortified, position. On top of that this sudden increase in patrol activity may be causing our men to stay put."
What she didn't say was there was also a chance their men in the valley had been detected and taken or killed.
"In either case," Xena continued, "they may not be aware of this new development."
"There is something else bothering me," Akress said.
All turned their attention to the Headman.
"As long as the fortress was the only strong position the Sorcerer held," he said, "and we had it under constant observation, I felt fairly comfortable about leaving our younger children, elderly, and disabled here at the settlement. But now, the more I think about this new, strong, position Kuhlamann is building, the less I care for the notion of leaving anyone behind.
"Between this redoubt, and Kuhlamann's greatly increased patrols, the risk of having our main force discovered and attacked, when we make our move, has increased many fold. If that were to happen and we were unable to fight our way clear the Sorcerer might be able to pin us down while sending another strong force, from the redoubt, to assault our positions here.
"Our youngsters are good and I don't doubt they would take out quite a few of Kuhlamann's warriors but I do not believe they would be able to defeat an all out attack. Not by themselves. And if any of our young ones were taken alive ... I can't bear to think of what the Sorcerer would do to them."
Once again they fell silent for several moments.
"Akress," said Gander, "we, ... Xena, Gabrielle, and I, realize that these are your people and the responsibility for their protection and well-being is, finally, yours. We've
stayed to help you and them in any way we could and we will continue to do so. So whatever course of action you decide to take we will do whatever we possibly can to assist you."
They were still deep in discussion when the last two of Maadrik's men were escorted into the settlement. When they were brought before Akress and the others their report initially served only to confirm what their comrades had said. But then they mentioned the route they had taken had been somewhat farther removed from both the redoubt and the track. Once they had moved about a third of a league farther away they had seen no more of the Sorcerer's men.
They supposed this was due, at least in part, to the terrain being much rougher and more difficult to pass over. Part of their route had taken them through a long, rock and boulder strewn, ravine which had provided innumerable places to hide. The rest of their route had taken them over rough and broken ground covered by expanses of tall grass and bushes which had also provided excellent cover and concealment.
"Would it be possible," Xena asked, "to get all our people, including the infants, the old ones, and the infirm back down the mountain and through the valley using this route?" The two young men conferred between themselves for a few seconds before agreeing that while it would be difficult it could be done.
"I don't like it," said Akress, "but the Sorcerer hasn't left us much of a choice. This new, fortified, position of his is like a dagger pointed at our innards. Our attack on the fortress will require all of our able bodied people. But while we are engaged in the fighting at the fortress another powerful force of Kuhlamann's warriors could be sent from his new redoubt against this settlement. Worse yet, there would be little or no warning.
Another of the village elders, a wizened and wiry man with completely white, long, hair and an even longer white beard, cleared his throat meaningfully.
"In light of what we now know," he said in a scratchy and rather high pitched voice, "I don't understand why we are wasting so much time with needless talk. We must evacuate this place now, at once, and join forces with Maadrik and his people. If we do not move, immediately, it may become impossible to move at all. With our forces joined we may stand a chance of defeating and destroying this filthy creature. But if we allow ourselves to be separated ... I think, eventually, we will be the ones who will be defeated and destroyed."
Akress gazed solemnly at the rest of his elders who, each in turn, nodded their agreement with what had just been said.
"Then it is decided," Akress said with finality. "We evacuate: Tonight if possible but by first light, tomorrow, at the latest.
With the issue decided the council meeting broke up. Within minutes word of the decision to evacuate had spread throughout the settlement. When attacked the first time, within their village, by Kuhlamann's methodical butchers, they had been forced to run, in panic, for their lives. This move, however, would be far different. Though their preparations would still be hurried there would be time to pack up their tools, food supplies, clothes, bedding, and what little they had by way of precious, personal, items. They would not be left, again, with nothing.
Dawn of the following day found every man, woman, and child assembled at the valley end of the forest but more than a league from the track. The weather had turned cooler and every leaf and blade of grass was heavy with dew drops which sparkled in the early light like countless numbers of tiny gem stones.
Looking out from the tree line they saw an expanse of grass so tall a man could stand upright in the middle of it with little or no chance of being seen by anyone more than a few cubits away. It was fairly obvious that once they were in this grass the only way they would be visible would be from above.
Since the Sorcerer had, so far, shown no particular desire to leave the comfort, not to mention the presumed safety, of the fortress, nor any talent for transformation, Gander was reasonably sure Kuhlamann would have no eyes in the sky. This, however, was an advantage the people of Al Fahd would have.
The previous evening Gander had sat down with Xena, Gabrielle, and Akress and worked out a series of simple, non-verbal, signals he could use to communicate with them while in his transformed state. From the moment they left the protection of the forest Gander would be in the air. If he saw the slightest sign of any of the Sorcerer's men, or any other possible problem, he would be able to warn them while airborne; avoiding any chance of giving their position away to anyone watching on the ground.
There was one thing, though, which might be visible above the grass: Argo. While the color of Xena's horse would more or less blend in with that of the grass Argo's head might be visible from time to time. Of course there was no thought of leaving Xena's mount behind. But, as a precaution, her saddle, bridle, saddle bags and any other baggage she might have born, were placed on litters carried by the villagers. To lead Argo Xena used a simple rope tied about her neck with a slip knot.
Additionally Argo's horse shoes were removed. In this way, if Argo were spotted, she would have the appearance of being wild or, at least, long since escaped from her owner.
The first to leave the cover of the woods was Gander. First spiraling to a considerable height he then banked and headed off, at a leisurly speed, across the grass lands. About a quarter of an hour later they saw him returning and still flying at the same elevation.
Flying in a lazy circle he honked, once, then turned and flew off in the direction he'd just come from. That had been the signal they'd been waiting for. Gander had neither seen or sensed anything of an alarming nature and the way appeared safe for them to proceed.
The first to leave the sheltering trees were the two men from Maadrik's camp who had come by this route. They, in turn, were closely followed by the point element; ten men armed with spears, swords, and shields and five women with their small but powerful bows and full quivers of arrows.
Next came the main body with two long lines of flankers; one a few dozen cubits to the left and the other an equal distance to the right of it. These were followed by the rear guard comprised of another fifteen men and women who were armed to the teeth.
The going was anything but easy but those at the front were the ones who had the hardest time of it. Then, as the sun rose higher in the sky and the temperature began to climb, the people began to sweat profusely and before long this began to draw stinging, biting, insects of all kinds.
As the day wore on they continued to plod along. While the adults were able to bear their increasing discomfort and fatigue in stoic silence the very young became more and more inclined to cry and whine. Gander had figured something like this might come to pass and he also knew a cranky infant could be heard for an uncomfortably great distance. So, as a precaution, he'd supplied Gabrielle with a few vials of sedative powders and had carefully instructed her as to the exact dosage to use mixed with water.
In as much as these very young ones did not commence making their complaints loudly known all at once Gabrielle was kept more than a little busy. Eventually she lost track of how many times she had to trek from one end of the moving line of people to the other helping mothers, who knew the true nature of the danger they were all in, to put their children to sleep. That she was able to hold up and keep her sense of humor was a testament to her good natured equanimity.
By the middle of the afternoon the grass began to thin out as the ground became more and more rocky and began to angle downward. This was the beginning of the ravine they'd been told about which continued on for leagues on end.
Within a few more hours they had reached a place, deep within the ravine, where there were numerous crags, crannies and huge boulders which could provide good cover and concealment for all. Since there was less than a couple of hours of daylight left it was decided they would spend the night there.
When Gander landed he reported having seen several small patrols of Kuhlamann's men. The closest of these had been about a league away but they hadn't seemed interested in coming any closer. None-the-less Akress, Xena, Gabrielle, and the others concluded it would be best not to cook any food or have any fires. That night theirs would be a cold camp. The vagaries of wind and weather could carry the scent of cooking and smoke a very long way and though the Sorcerer's minions were, supposedly, brain-dead they might still have the capacity to follow their noses.
The night was chill and damp with dew. There was no moon and though the stars were brilliant they did little to light the scene within the ravine. What little there was by way of conversation was conducted in hushed whispers for fear their voices might, somehow, carry on the night air.
From time to time their sentries heard skittering sounds among the rocks and boulders in the ravine or from above. When they did their hearts practically leapt into their throats and a chill, far colder than the damp night air, would travel up their spines. However these disturbances were caused by small, nocturnal, creatures merely going about the business of catching and consuming their evening meal; or avoiding becoming such a meal. So, while they spent the hours of darkness in a state of tension and fear, the night passed without incident and with the first light of dawn they continued on their way.
The ravine seemed to meander quite a bit and the lose rock under foot made the going difficult and slow. But with Gander keeping continuous watch, high above them, they were able to move along in relative safety.
By noon of that second day they reached the point where their guides had originally entered the ravine. There had been some discussion of climbing up and out of the ravine at this point until Gander informed them of the presence of Kuhlamann's patrols less than a league from where they stood.
"I know it's hard going down here," Gander told them, "but the fact is this ravine is a gift from the gods. Kuhlamann's patrols are making no further move in this direction. In fact they may not even be aware this ravine exists. If this is so we should be able to avoid detection entirely and, what's more, it continues on all the way to the hills we are heading for."
By late in the afternoon of the third day of their journey Gander was able to report, with a weary smile, that they were out of immediate danger.
"The nearest of their patrols," he told them, "is at least five or six leagues behind us and they seem content, for now anyway, to remain where they are."
This was very welcome news. The necessity of pitching cold camps for the previous two nights had prevented them from preparing anything like a decent meal. Coming upon a place where a small, clear, brook entered the ravine Akress and Xena called a halt for the night and Gander proceeded down the line of march establishing small, smokeless, fire rings with their beds of bright, hot, coals.
The first to be fed were the men and women who's lot it was to climb out of the ravine, onto the plain above, and set up and man listening posts throughout the night. The Sorcerer's men might not have been near but no one was willing to risk a surprise attack.
Akress and his son had joined Xena, Gabrielle, and Gander at their fire ring. As they waited for a pot of the Wizard's venison stew to finish cooking their conversation turned to the possible timing of their attack on the fortress.
"How much longer," Gabrielle asked, "before we pay a little visit of our own on Kuhlamann?"
"At the rate we are able to travel," Xena replied, "it's likely to take us at least another full day, maybe a day and a half, to reach Maadrik's stronghold."
Akress concurred with this estimation with a nod of his head.
"Once we have joined forces with Maadrik," Gander said quietly, "and have our elderly, disabled, and children inside his stockade, I'd give it another day; maybe two. Our fighters will need at least some rest after this trek but time has never really been on our side. So if we are to strike and destroy our troublesome, young, Sorcerer I believe it will have to be done quickly."
They sat there quietly for a bit, watching the bubbling pot, until another thought crossed Gabrielle's ever active mind.
"Gander. ... You said Kuhlamann has a large library with him."
"Yes," he said, turning to face her. "Yes he does and it appears to be quite comprehensive."
"Once he's gone: ... What's going to be done with it?" she asked.
Akress looked up at her with fire in his eyes.
"Burn it! Every vile, rotten, scrap of it!" he growled.
Gabrielle silently returned her gaze to the glowing coals until Gander spoke up.
"Actually that would be a rather poor idea," he said.
Akress looked at Gander with shock and anger in his eyes.
"What are you talking about, Wizard!" he all but shouted. "That demon is evil through and through! You've said as much yourself! As far as I'm concerned anything, anything at all, of his is tainted; fit only for the fire!"
While the Headman's reaction had been vehemently angry, and even justifiable, Gander continued to calmly explain his position.
"It is true," he said, "that Kuhlamann has placed himself utterly beyond redemption. His possession and use of the Codex is absolute proof of this. However, with the exception of the Codex, which is inherently evil, it is my intention to preserve, as much as possible, the remainder of his collection."
Akress simply sat there, stunned, with his mouth agape. It was Xena who spoke next.
"Why?" she asked simply, regarding Gander with a level gaze.
"Xena," he replied in a calm, quiet, tone of voice, "you are far from being un- educated. You should know why and," he said, with a grin, "I think you do.
"The thing is scrolls and books are inanimate objects. With the exception of the Codex, the literature, stories, and information they contain are neither good or evil. In fact knowledge, as such, is really quite neutral.
"As a rule the only thing which can make knowledge, as such, either good or evil is the use to which it is put. So, looking at the subject in that light, surely you can see it is the way in which people use, or mis-use, the knowledge they have been given which is either good or evil; not the knowledge itself."
"Even granting you that much," Akress said bitterly, "the only purpose those scrolls of his would serve, as far as we are concerned, would be as an ever present reminder of this nightmare we've all had to suffer through. Besides, we are all simple country folk and even the young lord Riphanay doesn't know how to read all that well; by all accounts. So what earthly use would those things of the Sorcerer's be to us?"
"Akress," said Gander firmly, "I'm going to tell you something right now. Even if, as you have said, the only purpose the Sorcerer's library would serve would be to remind you of the horror of these past months it would be a very good thing."
"What are you talking about?" the Headman demanded angrily. "The only thing we are going to want to do, once this Sorcerer is consigned to Tartarus, is try to forget this horrible time, rebuild our homes and shops, and try to get on with our lives!"
"And," Gander said, in a voice which was becoming more than a little testy, "if ever you do forget, ... may all the gods forbid, ... another time of terror will descend on you. It may not come quickly but sooner or later another would-be tyrant will come along to cause you all manner of grief; just as surly as night follows day. And if such a thing does come to pass, Akress, it is very unlikely we will be here to help you and your people.
"So," Gander continued, in a calmer tone, "it is my greatest hope that none of you will ever forget. Indeed I most sincerely hope you will remember and that you will tell those of your children, who are now to young to recall, the whole horrific story so they can pass it on to their children and their children's children.
"This way none of you will ever allow yourselves to sink back into complacency. If you keep the memory of these dark times alive then, no mater how hard you have to work or how busy you may be, you will always make time to keep your weapons free of rust and sharp as razors. Additionally you will be certain to do what you must to keep your knowledge and your hard learned skills in the arts of war as sharp as the points and blades of your weapons.
"I don't say these things to be unkind my friend. And I can just about promise that if you do as I'm urging you to do, the next time you are confronted by someone with evil intent, you will be able to defend yourselves, your families, your homes, shops, land, and all else you hold dear."
"Well perhaps," Akress said more coolly, "my anger got the best of me. But who is to maintain the Sorcerer's scrolls and books. Indeed how are we to derive anything of use from them when none of us can read very well?"
"If you'll agree to leave this library of the Sorcerer's intact, and leave the rest to me, I have an idea or two about how to make these things very useful to you. Indeed, some of the things I saw in Kuhlamann's collection have information which, if properly used, could help you to rebuild not just another village but a town. One which would be many times better, and far more beautiful, than the one which Kuhlamann destroyed.
"You've trusted me about a great many things in the past and I've always done right by you and your people. Please continue to trust me in this matter."
Akress sat silently for several moments before finally nodding his head.
"After all you've done for my people, ... I suppose I did fly off the handle just now. But I'm sure you know my anger wasn't directed at you. It's just that we've lost so many friends and loved ones to this beast ..."
Akress didn't finish. There was no need to. He knew Gander understood; which he did.