Crown of Fire - Ed Greenwood [35]
As the high priest came back from the doorway, the beholder spoke again. "Go on, Fzoul. I'll regard the map if I feel the need. Your aerial spies found no trace of the speIlfire wielder and assumed she'd gone to cover in the Hullack Forest."
"Aye," Fzoul said. "Manshoon felt that if magic was to succeed against speIlfire at all, it must be by new spells devised to deal with spellfire or by some combination of spells or manner of attack that we, as experienced workers-with-Art, had missed seeing. I agree with this view. We had already sent out a summons to all our magelings, to a meeting in the High Hall. When they met, Manshoon invited them to go out and seize speIlfire by whatever means they chose."
"Filling the field with a score or more of wild, ruthless, half-tutored mages? Was that wise?" The beholder drifted closer, fixing several disapproving eyes on the priest.
"It was necessary," Fzoul said, trying not to sound apologetic. "Our magelings need a weeding. We'd like some of them tested and all of them given experience, and there are one or two who have developed or found spells we'd like to see in action-before their owners have time to plan and properly prepare for an assault on us. The stability of the Brotherhood is better served if we remain in control of it for some time to come."
"So your force from the Stonelands is lost in the north reaches of Hullack Forest, various magelings are wandering all over the map, and Shandril's disappeared from view-in a sovereign realm with its own powerful band of organized wizards. This is your plan?" Its deep voice purred with sarcasm as it drifted lower.
Fzoul stepped back despite himself, but continued flatly, "The force under Karkul Memrimmon laid a trap for Shandril, which she fought her way out of. Evidently thinking herself free of enemies, she camped and practiced hurling her speIlfire for hours. After dark, Karkul's force surrounded her and attacked."
"And were slaughtered in their turn?" The beholder winded amused.
"Well, yes-a few fled, but Karkul, the upperpriest, and the rest fell. Shandril had to destroy a fair stretch of forest to do this and now, we believe, has exhausted her spellfire again-with two magelings moving in on her." "Three I know of," Xarlraun corrected.
Fzoul raised an eyebrow. "You seem to have sources unknown to me," he said, his voice a soft challenge.
The beholder seemed to smile. "Have you any more of those flying bites?"
Fzoul nodded. "I'll see." He strode to the door of the sanctum, gave curt orders, indicated a guard at random, and returned to the beholder.
"Tell me more of your plans, should this Shandril escape from the Hullack Forest," the eye tyrant ordered. Fzoul quelled a flash of anger and nodded, face expressionless. "Our agents in Arabel have orders to do whatever it takes-even revealing their loyalties by making open war in the city-to prevent Shandril from moving farther west into Cormyr. We hope to drive her to the Stonelands or Tilverton, where our forces are stronger. At that time, the more powerful members of the Brotherhood will take an active part in trying to seize spellfirewith the very real reward of rising to lead us all if they gain it."
"And what if you do gain it? What use is this power to blast men to ashes?"
"We see-" Fzoul began as the terrified guard, cursing and shouting, was catapulted naked into the chamber. When he saw Fzoul, he began to plead, offering money, mistresses, information about hidden treasure caches and the doings of Fzoul's rivals-Fzoul turned his back and walked away.
The temple guard flew at the high priest from behind, hands outstretched to grasp Fzoul's neck. The beholder watched with interest. When Fzoul made no move, it reluctantly reached out with its eyepowers to prevent murder. The diving guard tore through the map image, scattering it into sparkling nothingness-and then was tugged aside, jerking and thrashing as a fish struggles in a net.
Fzoul turned his head and smiled up at the eye tyrant. "My thanks," he said. "Primarily we are interested