Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [109]
“Never mind,” said Librettowit. “The process ceased while you were contemplating the change. Just go on. The beast will quit moving as soon as you get to the legs.”
Librettowit gave a yelp of approval. “That’s the way. That last bit charged up the remainder of his tail. He’s hauling around a city building’s worth of stone on his backside. Oops! That seems to have irritated the fellow.”
Two roars competed in ferocity. One of the heads reached over and nipped the other. Kale held her breath as she watched the hind legs pause, stiffen, and then change color from green to gray.
“Be a little quicker, will you, Fen?” said Librettowit. “The thing is going to suffer now.” He turned his head away.
“Right,” said Wizard Fenworth and closed his eyes to concentrate.
Kale turned away too. Then she covered her ears as the beast moaned. She welcomed the silence a moment later and looked back to the mountain path. A stone statue stood with one head hanging over the cliff edge. The two upright necks twined around each other and bent back along the creature’s spine.
Dar, Lee Ark, and Brunstetter cautiously came out of their hiding places. Leetu began her descent, and the kimens skittered across the open space to stand with Kale as she emerged.
“Well, then.” Fenworth climbed awkwardly over the rocks. Lee Ark and Kale moved to help him.
He crammed his hat back on his head and dusted off his robes. Then he slapped his palms together, knocking off the dirt.
“That was an uncomfortable situation. Warned you, didn’t I? Quests are quite interesting except for the uncomfortable parts. I don’t suppose that unpleasant woman is still here.” He looked around, even stretching to stand on his toes and peer beyond the monster. “A female wizard. Didn’t recognize her, but I suspect she was that Burner Stox woman. Married Crim Copper. Beastly wizard. Can’t say they get along at all well.”
The others began to move. Kale felt as if she had awakened from a bad dream. A giggle bubbled up in her throat, and she repressed it, knowing the others would count it for just what it was, nerves. She watched as Leetu picked up the few arrows that had bounced off the monster when it was still alive to threaten their lives.
The arrows stuck in its hide were stone now.
Dar rejoiced that his pack had not been trodden upon. Brunstetter and the kimens quickly gathered more of the scattered belongings and brought them to the wizard.
“My walking stick.” With one finger, Fenworth patted Seezle on the shoulder. “Thank you, my dear.”
He glanced up at the monstrous statue. “You know, I really think we must be going. I can’t remember if this spell holds or not.”
Kale had no problem with clearing out of the vicinity of the solidified creature. Lee Ark again took the lead, and the rest followed. Minutes later they heard a grinding crunch, and then a massive shudder vibrated under their feet.
“Crumbles,” said Fenworth. “I remember now. Crumbles. Good thing we weren’t standing under it. Wit, you’re going to have to explain to your kinsmen why one of their mountain passes is now filled with rubble. Should sit better with them, coming from one of their own.”
“Right,” said the tumanhofer, nodding his head and glowering.
“Perhaps you could write a history of the occurrence,” suggested the wizard.
“I’m a librarian. I read books. I don’t write—”
“Hmm? Well, then. Tut-tut. I could—”
“I’ll see to it, Fenworth.”
41
CITY OF DAEL
The path widened as it joined another mountain trail. The snow fell in earnest. The sun had been behind clouds for hours, and now the gray light grew darker. The veil of loosely woven moonbeam cloth over Kale’s face protected her from the chill and aided her ability to see. But as the afternoon faded into night, she began to worry about losing their way in the mountain passes.
“Not much farther,” Librettowit called to his companions.
“Stay close together,” ordered Lee Ark as he moved down the line, checking on each of the trekkers.
On his way back to the head of the line moments later, he repositioned the kimens. He sent Shimeran