Death of the Dragon - Ed Greenwood [113]
A fresh company of warriors, this one composed of the finest knights from the loyal noble houses, stood between the high windows along the exterior wall. They held their weapons high and ready but seemed unable to take their eyes off the chair where Tanalasta sat, still oozing blood from the gashes in her face. The tale of how she had grabbed a halberd and split open Melineth Turcasson's chest had spread across the estate like wildfire, growing in the telling as it passed from one building to the next. By the time the account reached the stables where the knights were waiting as a mounted reserve, the story had her destroying the ghazneth single-handedly, hacking him apart piecemeal as she chased him across the chamber. It was not an account any sensible man would believe when he saw how hugely pregnant she was, but the princess let the tale stand without comment. Having won fame for her ruthlessness, she thought it wise to earn a reputation for bravery as well.
Seeing that all was ready, Tanalasta nodded to Owden.
The harvestmaster removed Chauntea's sacred amulet from around his neck, then asked, "Are you sure you're ready to do this again so soon?"
Tanalasta nodded. "The king must hear what Vangerdahast said. I am ready." She looked across the room to the company of knights she would be relying upon. "Are you?"
"We are," answered Korvarr Rallyhorn.
It had taken seven priests of three different faiths nearly four days to put Korvarr together again after the battle with Luthax. As soon as he could stand again he rejoined his family retainers and promptly found himself elected captain of a company mustered from several loyal households. Few of those who had chosen him knew of his loose tongue with Orvendel, but Tanalasta doubted he would make such an error again and had gladly asked to have him assigned to her in reserve.
Owden gave the knights a few moments to prepare themselves, then kissed Chauntea's amulet and stooped down to touch it to the inflamed gashes Melineth had opened across Tanalasta's cheek. He spoke a prayer asking the goddess's blessing, then intoned the words of his spell. Chauntea's healing magic flowed into Tanalasta's face, and she felt the inflammation and poison leaving her.
The lookout's voice echoed down the stairs. "Ghazneth on the horizon!"
Owden uttered another spell, and Tanalasta felt the edges of the wound close.
"Shape now visible," called the lookout.
Another voice echoed down the stairs after the first. "We've got one to the east, too! Still a fleck."
Continuing to hold his holy symbol to her face, Owden paled. "Given what we've been through-"
"We'll take them both!" Tanalasta commanded, speaking over Owden. "Send the reserves upstairs. Have their war wizard cast a false aura as the second one approaches, then hold until we finish the first."
Owden finished his spell and removed his hand from Tanalasta's face, then muttered under his breath, "And pray there are no more."
"And that neither of these is Boldovar," Tanalasta added under her own breath. They had prepared enfeebling artifacts for every ghazneth except the Mad King. As of yet, no one had thought of a way to betoken what he desired. She leaned her head back over her chair and called, "Status!"
"To the west, wings and feet clearly visible. No hint of identity."
"To the east, cross shape just visible. It's hazy."
"Xanthon," Tanalasta said to Owden. "I'm going to enjoy this."
"Remember, you must forgive him."
"I must absolve him," Tanalasta corrected. "Besides, that's one ghazneth I'd like keeping locked in an iron box in the dungeon."
"That would be a big risk," Owden said warily.
"I know." Tanalasta had hardly been able to sleep since locking Luthax in the dungeon, and she had assigned fifty men to stand a constant guard over him. "But even