Wizardry - The Wizardry Quested Part 15

aSomething like.a This complicated?a aPretty much.a aHow do you keep it straight?a Gilligan considered. Although the dragon riders were skilled fliers and sometimes fought in wing or multi-wing strength they apparently seldom coordinated more than a squadron attack at once. More, the idea of closely coordinating forces which were out of sight of each other was completely alien to them.

aPractice is part of it, of course,a Gilligan said, abut scheduling is more of it. One of the things we've found is that scheduling is a force multiplier. It lets us put maximum effort on the target at the right times.a The other looked interested and said nothing.

aSo the first thing we do is draft an ATO, that's an air tasking order, that coordinates the entire operation. That comes down from the very top with basic a.s.signments, timetable and such. Then each lower echelon fleshes it out so it all works together.a aCould you draft thisa"ATOa"for this operation?a Martinus asked.

Traditional role for grounded pilots, he thought to himself, pushing paper.

aSure, but it'd take time. Normally we've got software to help us.a Off in the corner a tall blond woman in a wizard's robe was listening intently. Mick vaguely recognized her as someone he'd seen hanging around with Bal-Simba.

aBasically it's a matter of deciding what you want to do when and working backwards.a aIt sounds complicated.a aUsed to take a whole room full of staff officers to do it. Now we have specialized software, but before that we used to do it on spreadsheets.a The other nodded. aIt would take something the size of a sheet to write all of this down.a aNo, it's a piece of software, a program. But you donat have those here do you?a He thought for a minute. aYou know, I'll bet Jerry and his friends could turn one out in no time.a aThe Mighty are all busy at their own tasks,a the other grunted.

aForgive me, My Lords.a Mick turned and saw the blond woman had joined them. aI could not help overhearing and I think perhaps we can convince the wizards to give you what you want.a She turned toward Mick. aYou are the Great Gilligan, are you not?a It took Mick a second to recognize how his rank had trans.m.u.ted. aThat's major. Actually I'm retired. Call me Mick.a The woman waved it off as if it were of no moment. aVery well, Mick I am Arianne, Bal-Simba's a.s.sistant. I wonder if perhaps you could help me.a

TWENTY-THREE - ENTER THE DWARVES.

Arianne growled in frustration and tossed her pen aside.

Trouble?a Bal-Simba asked mildly, looking up from his own work.

This plan of Gilligan's makes my head hurt.a aAnd mine as well,a the big wizard agreed. a aTis said that simple plans work best. But here we must have complexity if we are to attain our goal.a He gestured at the glowing letters. aSoaa This is far more complex than anything we have ever attempted and it must all work perfectly.a Bal-Simba nodded. aComplex indeed. But then we face a situation of unprecedented complexity. Indeed, I cannot see how matters could become more complicated.a He was about to go on, but Brian came dashing into the room. Then he remembered his lessons, pulled himself up short, squared his shoulders and pulled his tunic straight.

aExcuse me, My Lord, but the seneschal says there are a hundred dwarves here to see you.a Arianne c.o.c.ked an eyebrow at the big wizard, who shook his head and rose from his seat. aForetelling the future was never my strong point,a he said, and sighed.

Either Brian had understated the case or Wulfram miscounted. There were actually 128 dwarves waiting in the great hall of the Wizards' Keep. All adult males, since women and children never left the dwarven holds. All of them armored in knee-length bymies of chain or heavy leather, all of them wearing steel caps and all of them with their traditional dwarfish battle axes strapped to their backs. Since their round shields of iron-rimmed oak were slung over the axes and since the axes were tied fast to their baldrics by peace bonds, it was obvious this was not a war party. Just what it was, Bal-Simba and the other wizards weren't sure. Dwarves seldom left their delvings and never in human memory had so many been seen at the Wizards' Keep.

As Bal-Simba entered the hall behind Wulfram the dwarves arrayed themselves in parallel lines with an older dwarf at their head. From his position and stance, Bal-Simba took him to be their leader, a notion confirmed by the circlet of red gold fitted around his steel cap.

aI am Tosig Longbeard, King of the dwarves,a the head dwarf proclaimed as soon as the wizard gestured for him to speak aHere to reclaim my rightful property.a Bal-Simba looked blank. aProperty, Your Majesty?a aThe sword Blind Fury, the greatest treasure of my tribe.a aAh,a the giant wizard said softly. This was beginning to make sense.

aMy idiot kinsman stole it from our treasury. We have traced him here. Now give me the sworda"and while you're about it you can turn over my kinsman for punishment as well.a aI am afraid neither is here,a Bal-Simba said. aThey were here but they have departed.a From the way the news left Tosig Longbeard unmoved, Bal-Simba suspected he already knew that neither the sword nor the dwarf were at the Wizards' Keep.

aWhere?a he demanded, gimlet-eyed. aWhere did they go?a aThe dungeons beneath the City of Night. Your kinsmana"Glandurg?a"wished to accompany our folk on a hazardous mission there.a aA quest, eh? For what treasure?a aNo treasure, just great danger and a mighty foe.a Bal-Simba didn't need a mind reading spell to see Tosig didn't believe that. Not even his moronic nephew would go charging into someone else's dungeon unless there was treasure involved. The fact that the humans denied it only meant they didn't intend to share if they could avoid it. To the dwarf long that was perfectly reasonable, but it only made him more determined to get part of the loot.

aWe will follow him, then.a aThat may be a trifle difficult,a Bal-Simba said mildly. aThe lord of the dungeons has closed the path to any who try to enter. Not even dwarfish magic may force the way, I fear.a For a moment wizard and dwarf regarded each other.

aWell?a Tosig Longbeard said finally.

aI beg Your Majesty's pardon?a aWell what's the rest of it? You wouldn't tell me that for no reason and you obviously don't expect me to pay for that information. So you want something. What?a Bal-Simba didn't even try to disabuse him of the notion they were bargaining. The dwarf wouldn't have believed him, and besidesa aNo bargain, but I do have a suggestion. Soon we shall attempt a stratagem to force our way into the dungeons. If you would care to accompany us, we would be glad for your help. Meanwhile, please stay with us in the Wizards' Keep as our guests.a There was silence again while the king considered. aVery well,a he said at last. aIf you do not delay too long we will combine our forces to breach this fortress and recover our property.a will have the seneschal prepare accommodations.a aWe will camp amongst the trees across the river,a Tosig Longbeard said. aThis whole place stinks of dragons.a With that he turned and marched between the ranks of his followers and out of the hall.

aA hundred dwarves,a Bal-Simba murmured once the last mailed warrior had followed his king out of the hall. aAnd the Sparrow thought he had trouble with only one.a aA hundred and a score and eight,a Arianne corrected. aDo you think they will be much help?a Bal-Simba sighed. aI told you I fared poorly at predicting the future, Lady. I only know they will do less damage to our cause if they go with us rather than preceding us on their own and stirring up the Enemy.a He eyed the door where the dwarves had pa.s.sed out aProbably,a he added.

TWENTY-FOUR - OPERATION WINTER STORM.

Although not bound to their tunnels, the dwarves were uncomfortable away from them. Clearly Tosig's men would rather be back at their shafts and forges than preparing to battle an unknown enemy half a world away. Still, dwarves are stoic by nature and none has ever faulted them for lack of courage.

There was snow in the wood, piled up under the trees, and a skin of ice lay on all the ponds and streams. The dwarves didn't seem to notice as they bustled about, felling trees and digging into the frozen soil to make crude dugouts. Before the sun completed its short journey to the horizon, a section of the wood had taken on the appearance of a semi-permanent and none-too-uncomfortable camp.

Tosig Longbeard was standing in front of a camp fire, overseeing the last of the work and warming himself when Durgrim, captain of the dwarven guard and his military second-in-command, approached him.

aWe are almost done with the sleeping holes,a Durgrim told his king. aAnother day-tenth and the last of them will be done and the evening meal will be ready.a Tosig Longbeard grunted a.s.sent. Durgrim paused, judging the king's temper.

aYour Majesty,a he said slowly, aI have been thinking about this, and the place on the Southern Continent where we are bound.a aSpeak your mind,a invited the dwarf long in a tone that suggested his lieutenant had better be careful about what he said.

aEven before mortals started using it, the place had an evil reputation,a the other dwarf told him. aI am sure human occupation has not improved it.a aUnsurprising if it were so. You have an alternative to propose?a Durgrim paused again, obviously gathering his courage. aYour majesty, can we not simply bargain with this enemy, buy the sword back?a Tosig Longbeard glared at him. aDo you think I'm simple? I've tried that already. Whatever this creature is, it will not treat with us at all. Besides,a he continued, the anger leaving his voice, aeven if he would deal the price would undoubtedly be too high.a The dwarf long scowled back into the fire. aNo, there is no help for it. With or without the mortals we must penetrate this place to recover the sword.a Being dwarves and with dwarves' careful sense of property rightsa"not to mention their greed for treasurea"it never occurred to either of them to simply leave the sword in the Enemy's hands.

Charlie brought the Colt around in a wide, easy turn. He lined up on the white expanse between the rows of leafless trees and settled to the snowy earth lightly as thistledown. The big biplane rolled perhaps a hundred feet across the field before it stopped.

Malus stood at the edge of the field, blowing on his hands to warm them. As the plane rolled to a stop he crunched across the snow to meet Charlie.

aStill feels a little funny on the controls,a Charlie told the tubby little wizard as soon as he stepped down from the door. aI don't think you've got the center of lift quite right over the wings yet.a aI can adjust the spell again,a Malus said.

aNo, it'll fry fine the way it is. If it ain't too broke, then don't go fixing it, that's my motto.a aIs there aught else then?a aYeah, one thing. The propeller. It doesn't rotate.a Malus spread his hands. aIt is not necessary that it should spin. Magic now moves your craft through the air.a Charlie looked at him. aJust do me a favor. Make it spin.a Gilligan was in the awar room,a going over the details of the air operation and the scheduling software with Jerry when Bal-Simba entered.

aMerry meet, My Lord. How goes the plan?a aWell enough, I guess,a Gilligan said with a sigh.

aWhat is worrying you?a aYou mean in general? Nearly everything.a He grinned. aThat's part of my job.a aSpecifically, then.a aWella"a He hesitated. aHas it occurred to you that this might be another trap? That the whole purpose of this thing might be to lure as many of us as it can into those caves so it can snap us up?a Bal-Simba's smile had no warmth. aConstantly. It is our greatest fear. Yet we have little choice. We must strike soon and with all our strength or this thing will overwhelm us. We have taken what precautions we can, but this still remains the best course of action.a He looked at Mick. aIs there aught else?a Mick sighed. aCharlie. He isn't a programmer, he isn't a magician and I don't think he's ever really flown in a combat environment before. He's going to have a lot to do up there. Do you think he'll be able to handle it all?a Jerry looked at Mick and smiled. aTaj and I have rigged up a custom user interface to help him.a It was getting colder. Except for occasional spots like the hot springs or the lava tunnels, the caves had never been really warm but now they were getting more and more frigid. Wiz could see his breath in puffs before his face and he hugged his cloak tighter about him to try to keep out the frigid chill.

He tried not to think how hungry he was. Since their discovery that they were cut off, the group had been on ahalt rationsa that had grown steadily skimpier. Glandurg was not eating at all and Wiz suspected that half of Danny's ration was going to June.

They were even short on monsters. It had been nearly two days since the last attack. Wiz wondered if that meant they were headed in the wrong direction, but the new Moira seeker was pointing resolutely the same way.

Wiz went around the corner and came face to face with a cloaked, hooded figure. He drew back and Malkin's rapier sprang free before they realized they were seeing a reflection. Motioning Malkin to stay on guard, Wiz advanced, staff ready, toward the mirror. As he drew closer he saw it was no mirror. Instead there was a rough reflective coating on the rocky wall of the tunnel.

Wiz touched the glistening surface. aIce,a he called back to the others. aIce under a volcano.a aPerhaps our enemy likes it cold,a Danny suggested as the group came close.

Malkin arched an eyebrow. aMakes it easier to keep the zombies fresh, no doubt.a Wiz drew his hand under his cloak to warm it. aOr maybe it just makes things more uncomfortable for us.a He looked around aWell, let's get going. They say exercise helps keep you warm.a There was more ice as they went along. Here it glistened as a thin film on the rocky walls, there it made a treacherous coating over the floor of the tunnel. Occasionally there would be a solid vein of ice, filling a crack in the stone like some strange glistening mineral. Now the air was so cold the adventurers could see their breath before them.

Glandurg seemed unfazed, but the others kept then-cloaks wrapped tight around them. Still the cold seemed to steal through to sap their very strength and leave them weak and shivering.

Nor did the tunnel cooperate. It seemed as though every few steps they had to crawl over a pile of frozen debris or climb a slope so steep they must go on all fours or squeeze between unrelenting walls of rock. Places with level footing were few and far between. Even without the ice and cold it would have been difficult. With them it was exhausting. They saw and heard nothing for the rest of the day, save the occasional drip, drip, drip of not-quite-frozen water. Still, their senses were alert and straining and that added to their fatigue.

Malkin was on watch, staring out into the dark, thiefs senses alert. She neither turned nor moved as Danny came up behind her, but he knew she sensed he was there.

aAnything?a She didn't turn, only shook her head slightly.

With a slight sc.r.a.pe he slid in beside her.

aHow do you stay warm like that?a Malkin flicked a bit of a smile. aI don't.a aI can't sleep,a Danny said softly.

Malkin nodded, but said nothing.

aMalkin,a he said at last, ado you think we're going to be able .to rescue Moira?a aThat's what we're here for. That and to settle some scores with this thing.a Danny gathered his courage. aYeah, but do you think we're going to be able to do it?a aAre you so sure she wants to be rescued?a Malkin asked slowly.

aOf course Moira wants to be rescued.a aMoira herself might, but this thing has only Moira's body. The will is the Enemy's. I am not sure it will turn her loose that easily. The Enemy went through a great deal of trouble to get her. He obviously had some purpose.a aYeah. Bait.a Malkin nodded, eyes never leaving the corridor. aPerhaps that too. But I think Moira, or Moira's body, plays a greater role in the Enemy's plans than mere bait.a aWhat are you getting at?a aThat we may not be able to rescue her. But I do not think we can afford to leave her here.a aJesus,a Danny breathed. aThat's awful! Have you talked to Wiz about this?a aHe has problems enough and this is one he isn't going to think clearly upon.a She turned to face him. aBut we must think upon it, and decide what we're to do, should it come to that.a She turned her head to face down the dark pa.s.sage and neither said anything for several minutes.

aThat's a h.e.l.l of a choice,a Danny said at last.

aHard choices must still be made.a aAnd you think weaa aI doubt Wiz will be ready to make such a decision when we find her. Do not try to decide now. But think about it. And think about how to do what we must do if it comes to thata aIt wont come to that,a the young programmer said firmly. aWiz will find another way, or I will, or someone.a Malkin's expression did not change. aI hope you are right.a It could not be said to be anyplace, really, for it had no sense of self as we know it. There was a nexus, but its senses were spread over more than a continent. There was no feeling for where it left off and others began, because in a very real sense there was no aotheraa"there was only that which had not yet been absorbed and turned to its purposes.

It had discovered the strategy long ago, in the brutal battles that had led to its supremacy. Better to absorb and adapt than to destroy, to incorporate and use rather than smash. It was a superior strategy and even if it had the gift of introspection it would not have troubled about the consequences. This frozen corpse contained magical knowledge it could incorporate. With that came a burning hatred seared soul-deep, a hatred that set it on its present course, but that was of no moment. Later the gleanings of a soulless husk far away reinforced that animosity as well as adding knowledge. That too was of no moment. They were simply things to be absorbed and put to use. That was enough.

Wiz awoke still groggy, with an ache in his head and someone's foot in his face. From the way the rest of the pile shifted and grumbled he got the feeling they weren't in any better shape.

aHmf,a Danny grumped as he disentangled himself from the pile. aAnother day, another monster.a aNot many of those,a Malkin said.

Danny quirked a smile. ah.e.l.l, I even miss the lobster.a aI'm not so sure I'd go that far,a Wiz said.

aI would,a Malkin put in. aWe could eat for a week off that bug.a Wiz really wasn't quite ready to go that far, but he could understand the sentiment.

Carefully he measured the grain and a little of the vegetables into the cooking pot and added ice. Then he gestured and a flame sprang up among the rocks. He set the pot with the ice on it to melt. He crouched over it, hands extended to soak up the warmth.

aThat will tell the Enemy where we are,a Malkin said, eyeing the magic flame and not quite protesting.

The Enemy probably knows where we are already,a Wiz growled aWe'll be in a lot better shape to face him if we're warm, rested and feda After breakfast the group continued on. Wiz was right. If conditions were no better this day, at least they felt better for the hot meal.

Wiz had Danny take the lead with Glandurg behind him. Actually that meant Danny and June were in the lead and Glandurg following them. Malkin brought up the rear and Wiz stayed in the center of the formation for a change.

Just before the break for the noon meal Wiz pulled Malkin aside. aI want to talk to you.a The tall thief saw his expression and nodded. aYou heard last night?a He gave a tight little smile. aI don't sleep real well when I'm cold.a Malkin c.o.c.ked her head, waiting.

aI've been thinking about it ever since.a Wiz drew a deep breath. aI just wanted to tell you, I think you're right. I think we can still get Moira out, but if we can'taaHe stopped, gulped another breath and went on. aIf we can't I want you to know I understand if you doa what has to be done.a aYou want us to take action, then?a aI know that thing about shooting your own dog, but I can'ta He tried to smile again and the effect was ghastly under the bluish magic light. aJust don't do it unless you're absolutely sure, okay?'

Malkin nodded slowly, not trusting herself to speak.

aNow let's catch up with the others.a aHe heard us,a Malkin whispered to Danny later when she contrived to get him and June off to one side.

aAnd?- aHe does not like it but he sees the force of the argument. He only asks that we do it should it become necessary.a aI've been thinking about this too,a the young programmer said. aI think maybe there's an alternative.a .

aIf there is, well and good,a Malkin told him. aBut we do not dare leave Moira, or Moira's body, here.a aThey say you're coming with us.a Mick looked up from his planning software to see Jerry and Taj standing before him. There's nothing more useless than a staff officer when the battle's joined. So yeah, I'm going with you.a aWe figured you'd need a weapon,a Jerry said, handing him the box.

Mick opened it and inside was a military-issue Beretta semi-automatic pistol with a couple of clips of ammunition and a shoulder holster like the one he had worn in the attack on Caer Mort.

Mick slipped into the shoulder harness and hefted the pistol. aThanks, guys. But didn't you say things like this won't work in this world?a aThings like that work just fine,a Taj said. aIt's guns that don't work here.a aWhat he means is, it isn't what it looks like,a Jerry explained. aIt's actually a magic weapon that shoots lightning bolts. It just looks like a pistol.a aWe could make it look like a Star Trek phaser if you'd prefer,a Taj offered. aOr something really wicked.a aI think I'll stick with this, thanks.a Gilligan slipped the weapon into his shoulder holster.

aAnyway,a Taj said. aIf you've got a few minutes we thought you might want to come down and watch the takeoff.a Mick looked at the spreadsheet hanging over the map. There were still things to do, but he realized that most of it was make-work. The ball was about to start rolling and things were moving increasingly out of the war room and into the real world.

aYeah,a he said, rising from his desk, ayeah, I'd like that.a The three made their way down into the depths of the castle and into the echoing dimness of the dragon aerie. For Mick it was the first time he had been on the aerie floor since Karin brought him here the first day. He felt a pang at the realization.

Sitting in the middle of the aerie was Charlie's AN-2 Colt, newly equipped with a top turret, tail gunner's position and with what looked like science-fiction machine guns sticking out on the sides. The dragons eyed the newcomer and shifted and bridled uncomfortably. Clearly they didn't like this addition to their midst.

That thing looks like a bomber,a Gilligan said. aA B AN-2?a aActually it's a more like an EW AN-2,a Taj said. aExcept it's magic not electronic warfare, so I guess it's an MW AN-2.a aWhy do I get the feeling this is never going to make Jane's All The World's Aircraft?'

aDifferent world?a Taj suggested.

aHere he comes,a Jerry said. aAnd it looks like he's got his, uh, user interface with him.a Charlie stepped between the looming monsters and marched out to the group of waiting wizards and programmers. Trailing behind him were five bat-eared demons.

aMy crew,a he said to the group.

The first in line was a fresh-faced demon in aviator sungla.s.ses, an officer's cap with a thousand-mission crush and a brown cowhide flight jacket with a Flying Tigers Blood Chit on the back and an Eighth Air Force patch on the sleeve. aGerry O'Demon. My co-pilota Jerry groaned and threw an anguished look at Taj, who merely spread his hands and shrugged.

The next demon was short and slovenly with an unshaven chin and beady little eyes that never seemed to look at anyone straight on.

aThat's Joe, my tailgunner.a Next in line was an older demon wearing a baseball cap, coveralls liberally smeared with grease and chewing on a cigar stub that was disreputable even by demon standards.

aKelly. He's my crew chief and waist gunner.a Next was a young demon in a fleece-lined leather jacket, baseball cap and a particularly goofy grin. This is Sparks. He's radioman and handles the other waist gun.a Finally there was a slender, rangy demon wearing a leather flight jacket and a battered Stetson.

Tex here's the turret gunner.a With introductions made, Charlie waved his acrewa toward the airplane. aOkay, boys, saddle up and let's ride.a aUser interface, huh?a Mick said to Taj as they watched Charlie and the demons swarm over the plane doing last-minute checks.

aAt least it ain't Windows 95,a Jerry said.

The best interface is the one that best fits the user,a Taj added. aCan you think of a better interface for this job?a At last Charlie and the demons were aboard and in position. Charlie slid open the c.o.c.kpit window and signaled thumbs-up to the Flight Master, who controlled operations from the aerie.

As he had been taught, the Flight Master waved to Charlie to indicate all was ready. Charlie responded with a one-finger salute. The Flight Master turned to the door, dropped to one knee and brought his stiff arm down pointing at the entrance. On that signal Malus raised his staff and the big biplane shot the length of the aerie and out into the open air like an F-14 coming off the deck of a carrier. The cavern erupted into a deafening chorus of roars as the dragons protested an unfamiliar flying thing in their airs.p.a.ce.

As the grooms and riders fought to keep the dragons under control the plane disappeared below the rim of the entrance for a heart-stopping instant and then appeared again, climbing smoothly For alt.i.tude.

aCome, My Lords and Ladies,a said Bal-Simba. aWe have our own work to do.a With a final glance at the rapidly vanishing speck in the center of the patch of blue, Gilligan turned and followed the group out of the aerie.

aWhere's your girlfriend?a Taj asked as they climbed the stone steps back to the main keep.

aShe left a little while ago,a Mick said shortly.

Deep beneath the ground the pale queen sat upon her ink-black throne. Light there was none, nor sound. Neither was needful.

Part of her was in this dark hall and other parts were in a thousand different places, sensing, observing and here and there acting. All of that was part of the dark queen just as she was part of all of it.

She could feel the pulse of the earth and the putt of the tides. She could sense the currents and eddies of magic which flowed through this place. She could sense her belly ripening even as desires ripene. All were good. All would come to fruition in the fullness of time.

The pale queen knew neither impatience nor haste. Only the pattern, changing, unfolding, becoming. That was all there was and all there needed to be.