Shadows Out of Time

Cimmerian, you were a worthy foe. I warned my men not to kill you but only to take you prisoner. This body of yours, as you must by now be aware, has been usurped by one of the farwandering Great Race. Because of the link between you I am able to speak with you.

“And what would you say to me, my lord Rang-Thalun?”

Do you then bear me no ill will?

“I do not. It is part of the great game: someone must win, as you have, and someone must lose, as I have. So be it.”

Good man. I expected as much from you, O Crom-Ya. My business with you is this. I know of the Great Race and their schemes for the simple reason that I, too, was abducted by them. During my years of captivity I took the opportunity to learn what I could from their archives of the magic of wizards from other lands and times, even of other worlds such as I had never suspected. I did not scruple to record my own learning in their metal volumes since my knowledge was crude by comparison with that already recorded there and therefore could be of no real use to them. But my powers grew mightily, and you have seen the results.

Now I propose a plan of action whereby both of us may have our vengeance upon our captors, as well as your escape from them.

“Your powers are truly great! But can even you manage these feats?”

As a shaman, the art of soul travel was already known to me. When I learned all I could from my fellow captive wizards and the metal books of still others, I did what no other had ever done: I effected the mind transfer in reverse, regaining my own body and sending its usurper back to his own. I am sure I can return you, too. Then you shall rule beside me as my general. I am no fool to let such talents go to waste. But first you shall make contact with the subterranean enemies of the Great Race.

“Such is my own purpose, O Rang-Thalun! But I know not how.”

While living among the Great Race I searched their citadel as best I could, and I discovered their armory. Listen closely, and I will tell you how to secure the force-weapons of the Race. With one of them you may easily breach the barrier to the underground world. If you can contrive to take more of the weapons to arm the Blind Ones, do so.

In the Dungeon of the Devils

Some weeks later, the cone-thing named Crom-Ya was conversing with three others whose minds had come from cultures in which the hunting of wild animals was an honored sport. He proposed to these fellow “guests” that they venture into the jungles beyond the Great Race’s city for a hunt. Having explained their plans to those in charge, they were able to obtain permission to borrow four of the force wands. No one thought it would be a bad idea to thin the herd of gigantic predators. The cones in authority thanked them for their service. CromYa’s companions half-suspected there was more to their venture than big game hunting, and if some kind of subversion against the Great Race were afoot, they would not object.