Amber and Ashes - Margaret Weis [16]
“And there, for over thirty years, Lord Ausric Krell has been a prisoner, forced to live eternally in the fortress where he pledged his loyalty and his life to Lord Ariakan.”
“And he is there still? During all those years, the gods were gone,” Mina stated, wondering. “Zeboim was not in the world. She could not have stopped him from leaving. Why didn’t he?”
“Krell is not Soth,” said Chemosh dryly. “Krell is sneaky and underhanded, with the nobility of a weasel, the honor of a toad, and the brains of a cockroach. Isolated on his rock, he had no way of knowing that Zeboim was not around to keep an eye on him. The seas lashed the cliffs of his prison as relentlessly as when she was there. The storms that are so prevalent in that part of the world beat upon his prison walls. When he did eventually discover that he’d missed his chance, he was so furious that a single blow from his fist knocked down a small tower.”
“And now that Zeboim has returned, does she guard him still?”
“Day and night,” said Chemosh. “Testament to a mother’s love.”
“I have no love for traitors myself, my lord,” said Mina. “I will gladly undertake whatever task you set for me in regard to this one.”
“Good,” said Chemosh. “I want you to free him.”
“Free him, my lord?” Mina repeated, astonished.
“Help him escape Zeboim’s watch and bring him to me.”
“But why, my lord? If he is all that you describe him—”
“And more. He is shifty and cunning and sly and not to be trusted. And you must never question me, Mina. You may refuse to do this. The choice is yours, but you must not ask me why. My reasons are my own.”
Chemosh lifted his hand, stroked his fingers over Mina’s cheek. “Freeing Krell will not be an easy task. It is fraught with danger, for not only must you face the death knight, you must first deal with the vengeful goddess. If you refuse, I will understand.”
“I do not refuse my lord,” said Mina coolly. “I will do this for you. Where shall I bring him?”
“To my castle here in the Abyss. This is, for the time being, where I reside.”
“For the time being, my lord?” asked Mina.
Chemosh took hold of her hands, raised them to his lips. “Another question, Mina?”
“I am sorry, my lord.” Mina flushed. “That is a failing of mine, I fear.”
“We will work on improving it. As for your question, that is one I do not mind answering. I do not like these accomodations. I want to walk in the world, among the living. I have plans to relocate. Plans that include you, Mina.” He kissed her hands, soft, lingering kisses. “If you do not fail me.”
“I will not fail you, Lord,” she promised.
“Good,” he said briskly and dropped her hands. He turned away. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“My lord!” Mina called to him, as she began to lose sight of him in the darkness. “There is something I need—a blessed weapon or artifact or spell imbued with your holy powers.”
“Such a weapon would not avail you much against Zeboim,” Chemosh said. “She is a god, as am I, and is therefore immortal. I must warn you, Mina, that if Zeboim believes for one second you have come to rescue Krell, she will inflict upon you the same torment she inflicted on him. In which case, much as I will grieve your loss, I will be helpless to save you.”
“I understand, my lord,” said Mina steadily. “I was thinking more of the death knight, Krell.”
“You faced Soth and lived to tell of it,” Chemosh said with a shrug. “When Krell finds out that you are there to free him, he will be all eagerness to assist you.”
“The problem will be remaining alive long enough for me to convince him of that fact, my lord.”
“True,” said Chemosh thoughtfully. “The only amusement poor Krell finds in his prison is slaughtering those who