“Have no fear,” Kalan chuckled. “The mixture only has a potency of a few minutes.” Again he pulled the lever, sending another huge green bubble of heat over the wall. As he did so, a whole section of the wall near the gates collapsed completely and when the smoke from the rubble cleared, Meliadus could see that there was now a way through. He was elated.

A sudden whine now came from Kalan’s machine and Kalan began to fiddle with the improved controlsleaping about from part to part giving hasty directions to his men.

Taragorm emerged on the roof and saluted Meliadus. “I underestimated Kalan, I see.” He moved towards the Serpent scientist. “Congratulations, Kalan.”

Kalan was waving his arms and screaming with pleasure. “You see, Taragorm! You see! Herewhy don’t you try it. You merely depress this lever.”

Taragorm gripped the lever in both hands, his clock mask turning to look at the wall through which it was now possible to see Huon’s troops retreating into the palace itself, pursued by the rolling spheres of death. But then suddenly from the palace a flame cannon roared. Huon’s men had at last succeeded in positioning their artillery within the palace itself. Several bolts of fire shot over their heads and others splashed harmlessly on the walls below. Kalan chuckled in triumph. “Those things are useless against my weapon. Aim it at them.

Taragorm. Send a bubblethere!” and his finger stabbed towards the windows where the guns were positioned.

Taragorm seemed as absorbed in the machine as Kalan and it amused Meliadus to watch the two scientists playing like schoolboys with a new toy. He felt in a tolerant mood now. It was obvious Kalan’s weapon was turning the battle in his favour. It was time to join Adaz Promp and lead in the troops.

He descended the steps that took him to the interior of the tower and called for his litter. Once in it, he leaned back comfortably, feeling already a certain sweet triumph.

Then overhead he heard a mighty explosion that shook the whole tower. He leapt from his litter and began to run back the way he had come. As he neared the roof he was driven back by an intense heat and saw Kalan, his mask twisted and buckled, staggering through the steam towards him. “Get back!” Kalan screamed. “The machine exploded. I was near the entrance or I should have been killed. It’s spilling my mixture all over the tower. Get away or we’ll all be eaten by the stuff.”

“Taragorm!” Meliadus said. “What of Taragorm?”

“There can be nothing left of him,” Kalan said. “Quicklywe’ll have to leave the tower as fast as we can. Hurry, Meliadus!”