The liquid in the cauldron bubbled languidly, heated by the glowing coals beneath it. Narcotic vapours rose from it. Some gathered in the vaulted stone roof, but the bulk of the fumes hovered above the cauldron, forming a cloud that curled in the light of the fire. Wu Gu Xian - the oriental wizard - dipped a long, copper rod into the mixture and intoned a trio of arcane syllables. The cloud began to take a definite form - that of a long face with a pointed chin and deep-set eyes. Wu Gu Xian retrieved his wand and, holding it in front of him, bowed low.

"Oh Ancient One," the sorcerer began. He bowed again. "Your servant hears your summons. Your servant awaits your instructions."

The eyes in the cloud glowed emerald green. "Wu Gu Xian." The words were thin and attenuated, like the smoke they emanated from. "We have a task for you."

A wisp of the narcotic smoke escaped from the cloud to curl around the oriental's pronounced cheekbones. Despite Wu Gu Xian's long-standing familiarity with the many exotic compounds that had gone into the mixture in the cauldron, he still felt his senses clouding. With a conscious effort of will, Wu Gu Xian spoke. "I hear you."

"There is a foreign warrior," the spirit in the smoke said. "He comes from Yingguó, the Magnificent Flower Kingdom."

"A barbarian land, Ancient One," the wizard replied. "Beyond the end of the Silk Road. Why should we be concerned with a single man from such an uncivilised place?"

"I am. And you should be too. This foreign warrior goes by the name of Richard of Warwick."

At the mention of this name, Wu Gu Xian looked up. "I have heard you speak of this foreign warrior. He is the Golden Knight?"

For a moment, the eyes in the cloud blazed brightly. The spirit's voice was low and full of menace. "Yes. He is the Golden Knight." Then the eyes returned to their previous brilliance and the voice from the cloud became calm. "The same Golden Knight who has destroyed my physical form and thrice meddled in my schemes. The same Golden Knight who has spurned my offers and spat them back in my face. I wish his soul."

Wu Gu Xian's thoughts raced. "I understand, Ancient One. But how can I, your humble servant, succeed where you have - ." He looked up in time to see the eyes in the cloud burning like green fire. "Succeed against such a formidable opponent?"

A low chuckle emanated from the cloud. "I shall provide the tools. There is a ritual that shall ensure this Golden Knight will become mine." The cloud of vapours swirled, collapsing into a dense core. As Wu Gu Xian watched, the dark smoke took the form of a bamboo scroll case. "Take this."

Wu Gu Xian extended trembling hands to take the case, opening it so he could read the parchment within. "This ritual - it requires the sacrifice of a thousand willing souls! There are not that many who would do such a thing."

The face in the smoke reformed. "Ah, but there will be, Wu Gu Xian. There will be."

"Where will I find so many?"

"In the lands of Araby. At the city of Acre. Do not worry, I shall set events in motion. All you need do is take advantage of them. Travel to Acre and make the necessary preparations. Then, at the appropriate hour, all you need do is complete the ritual and Richard of Warwick, the Golden Knight, will be mine!"

Wu Gu Xian bowed. "As you command, Lord Lu Xi Fa."