Curse of the Shadowmage - Mark Anthony [49]
"We've got to do something!" Mari grunted as she brought her sword down in a slashing arc. Her blow cleaved a gibberling in two, revealing the creature's inner anatomy, which consisted largely of stomach. Mari slashed again, and Morhion noticed something interesting. Chittering with terror, several gibberlings had scrambled away from a shadow on the cavern wall- Mari's shadow, cast by the magical sphere of light. He wondered…
"Kellen, can you bring our shadows on the wall to life?" he asked quickly. "Make them large, and turn them into frightening shapes?"
Kellen nodded gravely.
"But there's no need to bother with Cormik's shadow, love," Jewel added glibly as she yanked her dagger out of a dying gibberling. "It's already frighteningly large as it is."
Cormik glowered at the impertinent thief, but before he could utter a biting retort, Kellen had lifted his flute and begun to play a haunting melody. Their shadows moved on the cavern's rough stone wall. The five silhouettes expanded, looming like twisted giants as they stretched out long, menacing arms.
Instantly, howls of fear rose from the army of gibberlings. The creatures abandoned their prey as they bit and clawed each other in a frantic effort to escape the undulating shadows.
"Keep playing, Kellen!" Morhion shouted above the cacophony. "It's working!"
"They're not very intelligent creatures," he called out, "but they do remember what they're afraid of. I think they encountered Caledan a few days ago, and now they are terrified of shadows. For good reason."
The gibberlings were dispersing, scurrying into tunnels and crevices.
"Come on!" Morhion shouted. "I think we can make it to the bridge now."
As they pushed their way through the panicked horde toward the stone arch, a stray claw sliced a shallow gouge in Mari's leg. Kellen's face was gray and strained, but he did not stop playing. The shadows continued to writhe threateningly on the cavern wall.
At last they reached the bridge. The narrow span of stone was swarming with fleeing gibberlings, all snarling and scratching in an effort to climb over each other.
"We'll never make it across that," Cormik said in disgust.
"Allow me to clear the way," Morhion replied with mock congeniality. Fluid words of magic tumbled from his lips, and a small crimson sphere appeared in his hand. As Morhion finished the incantation, he hurled the sphere at the bridge. It sped through the air, expanding rapidly into a huge, blazing ball of fire.
The creatures never knew what hit them. The fireball raced along the length of the bridge, igniting everything in its path and exploding in searing flame when it hit the far end. Engulfed in fire, scores of the creatures careened off the bridge, plunging into the chasm like shooting stars. When the smoke cleared, the bridge was empty. Only a thin layer of ashes covered its scorched surface.
"After you, Cormik," Morhion said graciously.
"You're too kind," he replied with a nasty grin as he stepped onto the bridge.
A sharp crack! resounded on the air. The bridge shook violently as a jagged line snaked across its surface. As they watched in horror, more cracks spread out from the fissure. Chunks of stone broke off the edges of the arch, dropping into the void. The bridge was collapsing. Jewel grabbed Cormik's belt and pulled the crime lord backward just as the rock beneath his boots crumbled. There was another sharp, rending sound. All at once, the bridge disintegrated, collapsing into the darkness below.
"The fireball," Mari murmured, gazing at the now-impassable chasm. "The heat of it must have weakened the bridge."
Morhion scratched his chin, giving the others a sheepish look. "Everyone makes mistakes now and then."
"This one was a doozy, love," Jewel commented smartly. "Thanks," the mage replied.
Kellen lowered his flute for a moment. "Morhion," he said breathlessly. "The orb of light,