Baldur's gate II_ throne of Bhaal - Drew Karpyshyn [73]
Three bounding strides brought Abdel in range. Spinning to build momentum he slashed his sword at the creature's neck, intending to avenge Jaheira's death by beheading his foe with a single blow. His sword deflected mere inches from the beast's throat, ricocheting harmlessly as it struck some unseen, impregnable sorcerer's shield.
Lightning flared from the creature's clawed fingers and struck the big sellsword square in the chest, blowing Abdel backward through the air and nearly sending him over the plateau's ledge. Abdel landed less than a yard from the cliff's edge, then leaped to his feet and dived out of the path of a second blast of lightning that would have sent him plummeting over the precipice.
He ducked and dodged the onslaught of electrical bolts, slowly working his way ever closer to his enemy The wizard didn't seem to care that Abdel was steadily closing the distance between them. Just before Abdel got himself within range to try another swipe of his sword, the creature vanished.
Abdel spun around, certain his foe would reappear directly behind him, but the lizardlike mage was now standing on the far side of the plateau, already invoking another spell. Abdel heard a terrible roaring from above and just barely managed to dive clear of the column of flame plunging down on him from the sky. Abdel screamed in pain as the terrible heat blistered and seared his skin. As with the dragon's breath, the injuries inflicted by the fire did not heal.
Badly wounded, Abdel slowly struggled to his feet, only to be knocked to the ground by another lightning blast.
"You have no chance, Abdel Adrian," his enemy hissed. "Your crude warrior's skills are no match for my sssorcery."
As he lay on the ground, singed and no longer even able to stand, Abdel knew Abazigal spoke the truth.
Chapter Sixteen
Imoen shifted from side to side on the thin straw mattress that served as her bed. Melissan had not been exaggerating when she claimed the monks within the monastery lived a sparse, barren existence. Apart from the none-too-comfortable sleeping mat, there were no furnishings in Imoen's room. The walls were smooth, bare, white stone-just like every other wall she had seen since entering the sanctuary.
Imoen had been surprised to find the interior of the monastery was nothing more than a collection of single-story stone barracks lining either side of a large, open courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a single stone tower, just slightly shorter than the thirty foot walls surrounding Balthazar's simple keep.
Melissan had introduced her to two of the order's members, Brother Regund and Brother Lysus. Imoen found herself fascinated by the intricate tattoos covering the shaved heads and faces of the two men. She was dying to ask the significance of the glorious designs, certain they carried some deep religious significance. Remembering how she had embarrassed herself in front of Melissan with her earlier erroneous observations and comments about Balthazar and the monastery, she was willing to let her curiosity go unsatisfied.
Balthazar, the monks had explained after the brief introduction, was temporarily unavailable. They had assured Melissan that they would see to Imoen's comfort and safety to the best of their abilities.
It seemed to Imoen as if Melissan had found Balthazar's absence particularly troubling, but the tall woman had merely nodded her head in acceptance of the news.
"Go with these men," she had reassured Imoen. "They will take you somewhere safe. I have business to attend to, but I will come see to your comfort once I am free."
Though she was reluctant to leave Melissan's side, Imoen had followed the two men without protest into the solitary tower jutting up from the center of the courtyard. They led her through the tower's only door and up a long staircase to the windowless second floor. The floor consisted of nothing but a long, dark hallway and open doors that led into half a dozen rooms-all empty except for