Darkvision - Bruce R. Cordell [77]
"This high passage is rarely used, and never by conveyances as large as this. We'll have to walk from here."
Ususi nodded. She tied off the reins, pulled the handbrake, and pointed at the steed tied into its harnesses. With a small pop, the creature vanished.
After dismounting, the trio gathered in front of the tunnel. Ususi snapped her fingers and said, "Bring me my pack!"
Eined glanced at the wizard, then at Iahn, uncertain if Ususi were talking to her. She gave a small jump of surprise when the coach door opened of its own accord and Ususi's large pack floated out and into the wizard's hands.
"Don't worry. My uskura is always with us," said Ususi, as she reached into the pack. She pulled forth a tiny orb of pale stone.
Eined peered around, trying to discern the invisible helper, with no luck.
"It's perfectly natural. Where we're from, they're common aides."
"Where you're from… where is that?" asked Eined. "I've noticed how pale you both seem. And the streaks that run through your skin."
"Our home is far from here," broke in Iahn. "Now, let's enter and find what we came for."
Eined nodded and dropped the subject.
Ususi released the orb to orbit her brow, and a bright light broke from it. Following the wizard, Eined and Iahn entered the tunnel mouth.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"What's wrong, Grandson?" asked Shaddon. "Are you not happy to see the excellent fashion in which your grandfather has preserved himself against time's insult?"
The living flesh of the elder Datharathi, if any remained, was lost in glittering, glassy facets. His face was a crystalline mask, but beneath it, veins pulsed with blood, raw muscle moved, and bone gleamed. One eye socket was replaced completely with a crystal orb, but the other remained real-a watery blue orb that rolled and fluttered as if caught in a trap. The man was clothed head to toe in ornate golden robes complete with a stiff collar, cape, and silken gauntlets, so Warian was unable to determine the extent of Shaddon's self-transformation. Warian feared the worst.
"I'm… glad to see you again after so long, Grandfather," he finally managed. Warian unconsciously tried to catch the porter's eye-had Uncle Zel known the extent of Shaddon's transformation? The consummate professional, Zel didn't react to Warian's glance. Instead, he moved to one side as if looking for a place to set down the baggage.
Shaddon grinned. Somehow, the crystal of his face was able to flow and move almost like real flesh. Seeing the naked sinew beneath the mask made the expression too much like a skull's rictus for Warian's comfort. He partially averted his gaze.
"And it is good to see you, too, Warian. Very, very good indeed." If possible, his grandfather's grin seemed to stretch wider. Warian's earlier concern that Shaddon might harbor the same taint as the other plangents returned and perched on his heart.
"Because you miss your grandchildren?"
"Certainly, always. But also because of what you represent, Warian. You're the first, you know. Your arm is what led to all this." Warian's grandfather gestured to his own face and toward Sevaera, who stood nearby.
"I'm here because I've been having trouble with it. It is malfunctioning of late, and I'd like to learn to control it."
Shaddon nodded. "Yes, I've heard. Let me take a look," he commanded, approaching Warian.
"You've heard? But we've only just arrived."
"You don't think my communication with Datharathi Minerals is limited to the speed of an airship, do you? Of course not. I have my ways. Now, let me see your arm."
Warian held out his prosthesis, palm upward. His grandfather reached out with his gloved hands and ran them along the crystal.
"Interesting," said his grandfather in a distracted manner. "You may not know it, Warian, but your prosthesis is cut from a portion of the lode not connected with the pure vein we found recently. It is not part of the crystal node that has brought the family so much wealth and influence."
"I saw the new mine-and some sort of magical portal. Where in the name of