Black wizards - Douglas Niles [126]
But now Ysalla sought a different kind of treasure. She went to the body of a Northman, frozen in death on the sea bottom. The man's yellow beard and wild hair floated around his bloated, horrified face. His eyes, delicacies, had long ago been eaten by sahuagin young.
The High Priestess cast a spell, her voice clicking and shrieking in the deep water, and the body shifted and rose. The eyelids opened over the horrid, gaping sockets, and the booted feet clumsily sought purchase on the sandy seabed. And he stood before the priestess and waited.
One by one, Ysalla and her priestesses call the drowned men back to a semblance of life, or at least animation. The Northmen and Calishites gathered together and followed the priestesses at a slow, drifting march toward Kressilacc.
All across the Sea of Moonshae and around the islands as well, the priestesses of the sahuagin summoned the sailors who rested there, and another army of death – the dead of the sea – came into being.
XVII
Return To Doncastle
It was late afternoon when Devin burst through the front door, red-faced and gasping for breath. As he flopped into a chair, Fiona and Pawldo jumped up in shock. Canthus leaped to his feet with a growl and stared, hackles raised, at the front door.
All was quiet outside, however. Pawldo stroked the dog's raised bristles, and slowly Canthus relaxed. He sat, but did not lie down again, and his eyes and nose remained focused on the door.
"I didn't mean to frighten you," said Devin, finally regaining his wind. "But I have urgent news."
"What is it?" asked Pawldo. His nerves were raw. Tristan and Daryth had entered Caer Callidyrr several days ago, and there had been no word from them since.
"The High King has called for a general muster of the Scarlet Guard. The entire army has been recalled from its posts throughout the kingdom – they gather now in Callidyrr."
"Why? Is there any more information?" The news seemed to confirm Pawldo's worst fears.
"Rumors – perhaps hopeful. It is said that the king fears a usurper, and that this usurper was, until recently, a prisoner in the High King's dungeon. Now he has escaped."
"Tristan and Daryth?" Pawldo asked.
"I hope so," replied Devin. "Could be them, or maybe nobody at all. That is the way of rumors.
"And of course, there are reports of a rebellious army gathering in Dernall Forest," Devin continued. "The king believes the whole country is ready to burst into civil war."
"Well, isn't it?" demanded Fiona.
Suddenly, Canthus leaped to his feet and growled deeply. Pawldo sprang to the front window, peering cautiously around the curtain. His knees nearly collapsed at the sight.
"Ogres!" he whispered, pale. "Coming to your door!"
Devin's face blanched and he sagged into the chair in despair. In the next instant, however, he leaped to his feet.
"This way," he whispered, grabbing Fiona's arm and jerking open the trap door. He half pushed his daughter down the steep steps, but she landed lightly on her feet at the bottom. He turned and knelt, his face inches from Pawldo.
"Get her out of the city. Go to Doncastle – get word to O'Roarke about the army. Hurry!"
"Come with us!" urged the halfling, taking Devin's hand in both of his. "We can make it!"
"No," said the man impatiently. "They know I'm here – they must have followed me. They won't stop searching until they find me. I will buy you some time. Now go!"
Pawldo turned angrily, knowing Devin was right. He pushed Canthus toward the trap door, and the big hound sprang through the hole. The halfling dove into the opening and heard the door close above him even as the front door splintered under the impact of ogre clubs.
Fiona stared in shock. "Where's my father?"
"He… stayed behind. He said it was our only chance to escape. Let's go!"
"No! I can't leave