Azure bonds - Kate Novak [64]
"You needn't worry about safe delivery of your master's weapons to his contact in Daggerdale," the herald hissed. "The contact is already dead, a victim of his own penchant for violence."
The barbarian drew in a shocked breath. "You killed Brenjer, you murdering swine! I'll show you violence!" He drew his two-handed sword, swung the massive blade over his head, and struck the herald in the forehead.
The steel sliced through its target down to the waist with the same ease and sound it would make ripping through taut canvas.
Alias gasped, for the body of the herald did not gush blood or fall to the floor, as would a carcass of meat. Instead, two ragged shards of purple cloth drifted to the floor and a black mist rose from them, forming into the shape of an inverted tear drop above the barbarian.
Two unblinking, yellow eyes glowed within the cloud of dark vapor. Beneath the eyes a huge gap parted, revealing rows upon rows of needle-sharp teeth. From this maw came the sound of a thousand snakes hissing in a stone room.
"A kalmari," the youth whispered to Alias. "They're native to the lands of Thay, used by the Red Wizards and their allies. Some speculate they are relatives to intellect devourers. Remarkable, isn't it?"
Alias, intent on watching the barbarian deal with the monster, did not reply. The barbarian passed his sword through the mist, but his blow did no more damage than it would to smoke. The kalmari gave a rattling laugh, then distended its jaws so its mouth made up more than half its body. The creature fell forward over the man and swallowed him in a single gulp, broadsword and all.
For a moment there was silence while the inn's occupants struggled to comprehend what had happened. Then the room erupted with a clatter of toppled chairs and tables and shuffling feet as the inhabitants sought escape.
Clerics and mages intoned the words of half a dozen spells and wardings as they backed away from the beast.
The kalmari tilted its head back and spit out the barbarian's sword, its blade propelled upward in a twisting ribbon of flame. The sword flew into the upper rafters and stuck there, imbedded to the hilt. The flames spread across the ceiling, engulfing the rafters in a white heat
The kalmari smiled, a wide grin that stretched three-quarters of the way around its body. The smile lasted only a moment before a battery of offensive spells struck-bolts of lightning and flame and radiant blue daggers of magic missile. Alias felt her right arm ache and, looking down, saw that her own runes glowed.
She tried to rise, intent on aiding in the battle any way she could, but the youth beside her placed his hand over the sigils on her forearm and, with the lightest of pressure, held her trapped against the table.
"You'll get your chance," he grinned mysteriously. "What's your hurry?"
The fires spread with unnatural speed, and soon the entire area, save for where Alias and her companion sat, was engulfed in flame. Through the dancing flames Alias could see the kalmari swallowing a mage whole, then belching up another burst of burning ichor.
Yet Alias felt no heat. A moment later, the flames, the kalmari, and its opponents diminished to shadows against the walls of the common room. Then, even the shadows vanished. The inn around her was whole and sturdy, unaffected by the fire, but nearly barren of inhabitants.
Still seated beside the youth, Alias spotted a solitary figure at a table across the room. The figure's features were completely concealed by a cloak and a hood. This is the one I've been waiting for, she told herself with certainty. But now she was reluctant to make the meeting.
The young man drained the last of his wine and rose to leave.
"Wait!" Alias insisted, grabbing his arm. She wanted to say "Don't leave me alone with that one," but she knew her words would not influence him. So instead she asked, "When did this happen?"
"While you were still hunting halfling-stealing