Daughter of the Drow - Elaine Cunningham [152]
"To what end?" the priestess asked.
Liriel returned her gaze to Qilue. "What do you mean, to what end? Fyodor is a berserker warrior, a protector of Rashemen. I am a wizard whose magic comes from the Under-dark, and from the heritage of the drow. We merely wish to be what we are."
"Your friend desires to serve his land," QiluЈ pointed out. "How will you use the power granted by the Windwalker?"
Liriel blinked. Power was the goal of every drow she knew, and it was pursued for its own sake. No one pondered what they'd do with it, beyond wielding it to gain still more. Though Qilue's question was strange, Liriel found she had an answer.
"The amulet has been stolen by a drow wizard called Nisstyre, captain of a merchant band known as the Dragon's Hoard. I know what he wants to do with it: he hopes to coax the drow from the Underdark to follow the ways of his god, Vhaeraun. From what I've seen of Nisstyre and his drow thieves, this would not be a good thing," Liriel concluded grimly. "If I must justify my claim to the Windwalker, then taking it from Nisstyre would be a good start!"
"A start!" exclaimed one of the guards. A tall drow male, clad in a hauberk and helm of black mail, stepped to Qilue's side. "My lady, that name is known in Skullport. Nisstyre is a wizard of Ched Nasad, and his guards number at least four score. Worse, it is rumored the name of his company is taken from his hidden hold: a cavern somewhere beneath the city that was once a dragon's lair. Many have followed these rumors in search of treasure. None have returned. Who knows what magical defenses might guard a dragon's hold?"
"Well then," Qilue said calmly, "we had better lay our plans well."
Chapter 25
THE DRAGON'S HOARD
At a cavern buried far below the streets of Skьllport, the drow priest Henge paced the small chamber where Nisstyre lay in a deathlike stupor. The wizard had improved but little since the night he'd been mysteriously struck down. Every day since, Henge had kept reluctant watch over him.
Nor was he the only one watching. At times the priest sensed an unnerving, malevolent presence, an evil hunger, behind the ruby embedded in Nisstyre's brow. Someone, somewhere, had reached through that gem and struck down his captain. Had the blow been clean and sure, Henge would have been delighted; this lingering vigil, however, was becoming unbearable. The ships of the Dragon's Hoard were loaded and ready to sail for the far south, but only the secretive Nisstyre knew the identity of their contacts there. There was nothing to do but wait, and dark elves were not known for patience.
The door to Nisstyre's chamber swung open, and a tall drow stalked into the room. Henge took in the elf'stattooed face, the patch over one eye, and the livid scar slashed across his throat.
"Ah, Gorlist. Here at last. The cuff of regeneration did its job, I see. Your wounds seem to be healing nicely."
The younger drow scowled. "But not without scars!"
"Yes, you're amassing quite a collection of those," Henge observed, "but considering the location of that throat wound, I should think you'd count yourself fortunate to have come off so lightly. I take it the wench is still alive?"
Gorlist ignored the cleric's taunts. He snatched up Nisstyre's travel bag from the bedside table, rummaged about in it, and took out a small, crimson vial shaped like a candle's flame. "Give him this. Those meddling drow from the Promenade are making inquiries in Skullport. If there's trouble, we'll need the wizard."
The priest balked. "This potion is more likely to kill than cure! You should know that as well as anyone."
"I survived it. He may, also. You needn't worry about breaking your blood-bond, or fear punishment if the wizard dies of the potion," Gorlist said bluntly, getting to the real issue behind the priest's hesitation. "Nisstyre is my sire; I have the right to order his treatment. You are absolved from responsibility."
Henge shrugged and uncapped the vial. It was past time for Nisstyre to rejoin the Dragon's Hoard, and his painful journey back should be