Xena found Gander relaxing in the shade of a tree, his back against its trunk, watching a squirrel watching him. As she came closer the small rodent detected her presence and was up a tree in a flash.
"Having a little chat were you?" she asked.
"Oh! ... Xena. You can be rather quiet when you want to be," said. "As to my furry little friend ... he wasn't much of a conversationalist; though watching his antics helped to divert my mind for a little while."
"Has anything been bothering you in particular?" Xena asked.
"Nothing and everything if you know what I mean."
Xena simply nodded her head a little as she knelt down beside him.
"Actually," Gander said, "there is something on my mind. I'm going to have to do something I am not looking forward to."
"What's that," Xena asked.
"I am going to have to get inside the tower of the fortress keep before we proceed much further. And I'm going to have to do it in such a way as to avoid detection."
"Why?" Xena asked with concern showing in her eyes and her voice.
"What purpose would be served?"
"When Sorcerers settle down in a place for a long stay," Gander told her, "they bring certain things with them. If they feel secure enough they often leave these things, scrolls, books, ancient texts, and such laying about. If one knows what to look for, and I do, it is possible to get an idea of just how much a Sorcerer knows, the degree of his training, the sort of magic he prefers to use, and how powerful he has become."
"I see," she said. "When are you going?"
"Very shortly. In fact in the next few minutes. It seldom pays to put off unpleasant tasks and it is essential for us to know, as much as possible, the sort of nasty things our young Sorcerer may be able to throw at us."
"I'm going with you." Xena said firmly.
Gander just shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. Not this time. I can sprout wings and feathers and fly. And flying is the only stealthy way I know of to accomplish what I must."
Xena didn't care for this idea; not even a little. She had come to feel close to this strange yet wonderful man; this Wizard. He had become one of the comparatively few she thought of as a true friend.
"Gander," she said, "listen to me for a second. Maadrik just told me there is a secret passage leading into the keep itself. We could use it to get inside. At least then I'd be there if something went wrong and we could fight our way out."
Gander reached out and took her hand and held it firmly while fixing his gaze on her.
"Xena. You and Gabrielle have become very special to me and I can sense you feel much the same. I also know more about you than you may realize. "Your strength, courage, and loyalty to those you call friend are indefatigable. You are prepared to sacrifice yourself for those you hold dear and that, Xena, is noble in the extreme. But there are a couple of important points I don't think you are taking into consideration."
"And what are these points?" she asked.
"First," he replied, "you have been trained in the military arts. You must know one of the most basic principles one must follow is to 'know your enemy.' Isn't that one of the big ones?"
"Yes. But ..."
Gander had raised his other hand to silence her.
"As to the secret tunnel ... Such contrivances are valuable. But, as a rule, they can only be used once. So while we will use it we will do so only when it really counts."
She opened her mouth to speak but, again, Gander cut her off.
"You spoke of fighting our way out: That is the last thing we want. In such a situation, ... alone, ... I could simply dematerialize and escape; but not if you were with me.
"You speak from your heart, Xena, and back your words with your courage and your sword but my dear ... if something were to go very terribly wrong I might have to bring forces and power to bear which you cannot even conceive of. Were that to happen anyone near me could find themselves in mortal danger.
"If you have such power," Xena asked, "why not use it and finish this whole affair?" she demanded.
"Xena ... I could do precisely that. But there is the matter of those three young women abducted from the village. They may have been tortured but we do not know them to be dead. And have you forgotten about the young lord Riphanay and his sister? They are being controlled in some way by Kuhlamann. They don't deserve to die.
"Were I to deal with our young Sorcerer in anything like the way I would have to deal with his mentor ... for leagues in all directions there wouldn't be one stone left standing on the other. In fact ... those stones which didn't disappear completely would be reduced to sand and not one, single, creature would be left alive. That is why we must do this thing the hard way and why I must know how much of a threat this Kuhlamann really is."
Letting go of her hand he slowly got to his feet brushing bits of grass and leaves from his cloak.
"I might as well get on with it," he said with resignation.
"If something ... goes wrong ... how will we know?" Xena asked.
Once again there was a jolly gleam in his eye and his now familiar, crooked grin, was back.
"Xena," he said, "I will do everything I can to keep such a thing from happening. However if things were to go totally to Tartarus you would know very quickly."
"How?" she asked.
"There would be a very large, blinding, flash from where Al Fahd now stands. But until then don't worry. I should be back in a little while. Hopefully, then, we'll have a better idea of what we're really up against."
With a mischievous wink he turned and walked out into the open field. In a matter of moments he was transformed and airborne. This time there was no dip of a wing. He made not a sound. This flight was not for fun. Its purpose, Xena knew, was deadly serious and the lives of a great many depended on its success.
As she stood there, watching as Gander flew off, Gabrielle came quietly up behind her.
"Where is he off to?" she asked.
"He's going to reconnoiter the fortress." Xena answered with deep concern in her voice, "and try to learn what he can about Kuhlamann."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Gabrielle asked.
"Yes," Xena said, "but he'll be all right." What she left unsaid 0was, 'I hope.'
"Come on Gabrielle. We need to gather the others. Maadrik has important information and when Gander returns there will be a lot we'll have to talk over."
Winging his way over the foot hills Gander could see the broad expanse of the valley ahead. The grass lands were green and in the cultivated fields the crops were growing abundantly. This valley was beautiful and its soil ˙was rich. That someone like Kuhlamann had come along to corrupt and eventually destroy it saddened Gander greatly.
What he was about to do was risky but his personal safety was not what concerned him. For him escape and evasion would be simple enough. The discovery of his presence by Kuhlamann was his concern. Were he to come to the realization there was a Wizard in the neighborhood Kuhlamann might be able to prepare a much more vigorous defense. He might even go over to an all out offensive and that could be much more costly in terms of blood shed and lives lost.
Gander would have to use at least some small part of his powers if he was to be successful in reconnoitering Al Fahd and spying on Kuhlamann. But if he used the 'Dubious Gift' and over-did it, even a little, the young Sorcerer would be on to him and the element of surprise would disappear.
When the fortress came into view he climbed higher. For the first few passes over Al Fahd Gander wanted as much air space between himself and those on the ground as possible. He made his first pass over the fortress flying as fast as he could and kept going until he was sure he was out of sight.
Although he'd been going too fast to make out any small details he now had a good idea of the layout of the fortress. It had been built in two elements. A high wall of cut stone several cubits thick made up the outer defenses. Built onto the inside of this wall were barracks for the quartering of troops, stables for horses and other livestock, and workshops of various kinds as well.
The inner element, or keep, had walls even higher and thicker but its gateway was much narrower and had a series of three massive gates. Even if an enemy force were to make it through the first gate there would be two more to contend with and all the while they would be exposed to attack from above. Defending archers and others, hurling stones or Greek fire, would have a field day with an attacking force caught in such a confining space.
Then there was the tower. With its narrow openings on all sides archers would be able to cover every bit of the ground between the outer wall and that of the keep.
But the top of the tower was what he had been most interestedin. There was a crenellated wall, a little more than chest high, around the very top of the tower and to one side there was a trap door: He'd been counting on the existence of just such a means of entry.
He made his second pass somewhat lower and slower and came in from a different direction. There were a considerable number of the black uniformed soldiers on the cat walk of the outer wall. Each was evidently responsible for a specific section of the wall and their marching back and forth appeared to be timed with great precision.
Every one of them seemed to reach the end of their beat at exactly the same time. They would pause for a few moments and then execute an about-face and step off in the opposite direction simultaneously. As for the keep there were two guards outside the first gate and another two inside and all four of them appeared to be quite alert. However none of those on guard appeared to pay the least attention to anything going on above them and this was another thing he'd counted on. They were concentrating on threats at ground level and as long as he was quiet and careful they would pose no problem for him.
On his third pass he spiralled downward and landed below the level of the walls atop the tower. This was going to be the tricky part.
Gently, almost tenderly, he began to extend his power; probing and searching out the floor immediately below him. If Kuhlamann was there, and even half the Sorcerer Gander suspected him to be, this would be the time he would be detected. Several minutes passed as Gander carefully examined the space below his webbed feet. Nothing. There was no living thing present.
Transforming himself Gander was careful to keep hidden below the level of the wall. Carefully, quietly, he moved over to the trap door which he could see was heavily built and reinforced with iron bands. Reaching down he took hold of the heavy iron ring affixed to the door and slowly lifted it. There was a slight squeaking of the door's hinges and Gander froze for several long moments, listening intently, but there was no sound of alarm from below.
Easing the door the rest of the way open he began making his way cautiously down a flight of stone steps. At the bottom of the steps he found himself in a single, large, room which was dimly lit by beams of dusty sunlight entering through the narrow openings in the walls.
At one end of the room stood a large, canopied, bed. The walls were lined with shelves which were loaded with scrolls and the center of the room was occupied by a large, heavy, table and a couple of comfortable chairs. The table was also loaded with a pile of scrolls, candle sticks, ink, writing implements and blank parchment.
Yes, Gander thought to himself, this is what I need to see. Walking over to the table Gander began memorizing the precise placement of each and every item. Were he to fail to leave everything as Kuhlamann had left them Gander knew the Sorcerer would know of it in an instant and would leave no stone un-turned looking for whoever had trespassed here.
Very slowly and carefully Gander began examining the scrolls the young Sorcerer had left on the table. Some of them dealt with the derivation and effective use of power. Many were filled with ancient historical and religious texts or dark prophesies while others contained precise plans and drawings of various, infernal, weapons and machines of war.
These sorts of things were actually rather run of the mill and Gander was not greatly concerned until he began examining the last three scrolls on the table. Opening the first of these Gander's stomach turned to ice. He didn't need to read the whole thing. All he needed to see were the first few words at the beginning of each of the three scrolls.
After carefully arranging the scrolls in their proper places Gander was about to make his way back up the stairs, to the top of the tower, when he was stopped cold by something he heard. Straining to hear he remained perfectly still. Then he heard it again. Coming, it seemed, from a great distance, or the bowels of the earth, he heard the screams of someone in terrible torment.
Knowing the contents of the scrolls Gander knew what those screams meant. Sick to his stomach he made his way back up the stone stairway. Carefully closing the heavy trap door Gander was transformed and back in the air in an instant.
Winging his way back toward the mountains Gander's thoughts were terribly grim. What this Sorcerer had learned from his Master he had learned only too well. In the process he had become, truly, a fiend. He, Kuhlamann, had to be destroyed, totally, and as soon as possible. The alternative ... there was no alternative.
Landing back at the settlement Gander slowly made his way to their campsite. Xena, Gabrielle, and the others were gathered around the small fire ring and deep in discussion when Xena saw the Wizard walking toward them.
There was something in his appearance and bearing which immediately alarmed her. His features were drawn and his complexion was pale. He moved far more stiffly and slowly than usual. It looked to Xena as though Gander had aged a hundred years in the space of the few hours he'd been gone. Gabrielle also saw him coming and the two of them went to meet him.
"Gander?" Xena said. "What wrong? You look like death warmed over."
"Did you learn what you needed to know?" Gabrielle asked.
By now Akress, Maadrik, and the others were aware of Gander's return and came to their feet as he approached.
Picking up the wine skin and a spare cup he took them over to a vacant seat and sat down wearily. Pouring a full cup of the strong drink Gander downed half of it in a couple of gulps.
"Are you all right?" Xena asked.
"Yes Xena," Gander said, "I'm all right; at least physically. It's my spirit which isn't feeling very chipper right now."
"What were you able to learn about the Sorcerer?" Gabrielle pressed.
"All I needed and a lot more I wish I hadn't," he said in a soft, tired, voice, looking up into her blue-grey eyes. "The situation is far more dreadful then even I suspected."
Downing the remaining contents of his cup he poured another as a little color returned to his face. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Then opening his eyes he let his gaze sweep the now concerned faces of those around him.
"I now know what happened, and is still happening, to those three young women from your village. Additionally I am now sure of certain things concerning this Sorcerer's soldiers. Things I only suspected before. But above all I now know this Kuhlamann is a Sorcerer with a potential for unspeakable evil. He must be utterly destroyed!"
Having consumed the contents of his cup and pouring a third Gander told them about the scrolls.
"There are three of them," he said, "and together they comprise the 'Codex of Ultimate Evil.' The knowledge they contain is so vile and destructive; they represent the single greatest threat, to the continuing existence of mankind, extant in the world today."
"Can you give us an example of the sort of information these scrolls contain?" Xena asked.
"Without getting into details", Gander explained, "among other things they teach the precise method of deriving tremendous power from the intense physical and emotional torment and agony of others. That is why those young women were taken and why they have been subjected to hideous torture. Our young Sorcerer feeds and grows stronger on the suffering of others. Even comparatively minor emotions, such as fear and sadness, give him pleasure and serve to enhance his power."
"What you have just told us is terrible enough," Gabrielle said, "but what else has Kuhlamann learned from these scrolls?"
"Among other things," Gander replied, "he has obviously learned how to completely control those who come under his power through their minds. His soldiers are a prime example. They have no need to talk between themselves, in order to perform their assigned duties, because he controls them individually and collectively.
"Additionally, by controlling their minds completely Kuhlamann is able to block all but the most severe sensations of pain. As long as these soldiers are alive, have legs to limp about on, and can hold a weapon, they will continue to attack anyone they are directed against."
Xena's voice was tired and her expression bitter but determined.
"That's it then," she said. "We can give no quarter."
"I'm afraid you're right," Gander said. "At least not so long as Kuhlamann lives. So long as he's alive to control them his soldiers will fight to the death if such is his desire; which it probably will be. And you may be very certain they will show no mercy. While they are mortal fighting them will be like fighting animated corpses."
"Is there anything else of importance we need to know?" Xena inquired.
"Only this," Gander said. "It will be extremely difficult but whatever else we may do we must control our emotions as much as possible. Remember this Sorcerer is able to derive great power from fear, sadness, hatered and anger. He has become a master of using these human emotions to enhance his power while destroying those who oppose him; both at the same time."
"I don't know if that's possible," said Akress. "After everything he's done to us, all the suffering he's inflicted on us, hate is like a fire in our bellies."
"On the one hand I understand your feelings," Gander said sternly. "But an important part of your training, from now on, must be in learning to fight and kill as efficiently and dispassionately as machines. Otherwise you will actually strengthen Kuhlamann instead of destroying him. This is why he is so dangerous and why he must be completely eliminated, utterly destroyed, for once and for all."
"Very well," said Xena. "Now that we know something of what he is capable of let's turn our attention to planning our attack and Kuhlamann's destruction. Maadrik. You mentioned a passage into the fortress keep. Since that is likely the key to any successful attack we need to know everything you can tell us about it."
Maadrik cleared his throat. Then, when he was sure he had the undivided attention of all present, he began speaking.
"The passage to which I referred is actually the oldest part of the fortress. It began as a wide ditch; fourteen cubits across and fifteen cubits deep. As it was being dug stone masons followed close on the heels of those doing the digging.
"Some of the masons were put to work laying down a floor of well cut stone and mortar. Others built walls three cubits thick and eight cubits high along both sides of the trench. As these walls were completed a third group of masons built a very strong, vaulted, stone, roof covering the whole affair over its entire length; a distance of more than a thousand cubits.
"Once all the masonry work was completed it was covered with earth and sod was skillfully placed so within a few months no trace of the tunnel's existence could be seen. The outside entrance is disguised within a huge, ancient, hollow tree trunk.
"Anyone looking into the hollow center of this tree trunk would see only rotted wood. But inside the trunk there is a cleverly hidden catch. When this is pulled the bottom of the inside of the trunk springs up to reveal a ladder of iron rungs set into the wall just below. The only way anyone can get close enough to look inside this trunk is by forcing their way through a patch of thick brambles which surrounds it.
"The other end of the tunnel comes out in the dungeon and is hidden by a cunningly contrived and counter-balanced stone wall. There is a certain stone which, when pressed, unlocks the fake wall and permits it to be pushed open easily.
"Once inside the dungeon, at the far right corner, there is a short flight of stone steps leading up to a double set of iron gates. Both of these were always kept locked and they probably still are.
"Beyond these gates, down a hallway, is a heavy, iron bound, door. This door opens onto the great hall."
Maadrik used a pointed stick to roughly diagram the interior layout of the keep in the dirt.
"Once here." he said, "at this end of the great hall, are two large doors made of heavy timbers and bound by iron bands. These lead out to a large entrance hall. On the opposite side of the entrance hall is another set of equally large and heavy doors. These, in turn, lead to the first of three separate gates guarding the entrance to the keep itself. The stone walls which create this entry way are twelve cubits high with cat-walks from which defenders can create havoc for anyone caught below.
"Now, going back. ... To the right of the entry to the great hall, all the way on the other side, is another heavy wooden door. This opens onto a stairwell which leads upward from the ground floor to the landings for each of the floors above."
"Then our primary objective," said Xena, "must be to occupy and hold the keep. With the keep and its tower in our hands we can continue bringing in reinforcements through the underground passage. At the same time we can man the fighting positions. Our archers can then turn the area between the keep and the outer walls into a death trap for however many of the Sorcerer's troops are there."
"And," Gabrielle added, "if any of them make it out the gates in the outer wall our people outside the walls should be able to catch and finish them as they try to escape."
"Right," said Xena. "Is there anything else?"
"Have those uniforms we took off the bodies of that last patrol been cleaned and mended?" Gander wanted to know.
"Yes," Akress said, "and if we attack at night the enemy should be none the wiser. At least not until they begin dropping like flies with our daggers in their innards."
"That reminds me." Xena said. "With some of our people dressed in their uniforms, with their faces covered, how are we to tell the difference between them and the enemy?"
"I have given that some thought," said Gander, "and the answer, I think, is their swords. I have made up ten swords for this purpose. The pommel, grip, and guard of each of them is precisely identical to those of the swords we took from the patrol. But the blades are not black. They are highly polished. Sheathed they will look as they should. Drawn they will allow us to identify our own people: ... Besides my blades are so much better than theirs."
This last drew a bit of a laugh from the others.
"Very well then," Xena said. "I guess the only question remaining is how quickly can we supply Maadrik with the weapons he'll need to arm and train his people."
"I have given this question some thought as well," said Gander, "and the solution, I believe, is fairly simple. So far I have been able to produce a modest surpluss of arms for the people here.
"Now, I think we are agreed that time is of the essence. It's going to take time for Maadrik to make the trip back to his stronghold. Further he's going to need additional time to see to the training and preparation of his people. What I propose is we save time by giving him our current surplus and have our people supply the remainder of what is needed from the weapons they now hold.
"Granted this would leave us short of arms for some of our own people for a few days but we would still be far from disarmed. It would then be a simple matter of replacing the arms we donate and there would be no time lost in arranging for their transportation."
After consulting among themselves for a few moments Akress, the other village elders, Xena and Gabrielle, all agreed Gander's proposal was likely the best. They also agreed to have work begun at once on the construction of several hand carts with which to transport the arms.