Elminster in hell - Ed Greenwood [105]
"Me?" Tarth asked, dumbfounded. "But what then?"
Elminster shrugged. "That is between the two of ye. She has served ye these past few years, willingly, even if ye knew it not, and I think likes ye. Thy ways may well am together a long time yet."
"Together," Tarth said wonderingly, looking up at the ceiling. "But how should I treat her? What do I say to her? Should I try to make her do me the services that remain? If I try, what will she think of me? Need I fear her-ah, attacking me?"
Elminster smiled slowly and spread his hands. "In this, ye must be your own guide. Ye have already shown that ye can take the proper course, alone."
Tarth stared at him. Then his eyes narrowed suddenly. "You did agree to teach me until the passing of the next moon. Tell me, then, what I want to know!"
Elminster nodded. "I agreed, aye. Yet I fear I can help thee little, Tarth. I know not the answers to any of thy questions."
"You are said to be the wisest of living sages, in most fields!" Tarth protested. "One who knows all the answers!"
They heard a light step upon the stair. Tarth turned and stared at the Lady Nimra, who smiled at him. Tarth looked deep into her clear blue eyes and was lost.
"Only fools know all the answers," Elminster told him quietly. He silently vanished, the dust swirling up around him.
"And so, Master Tarth," Nimra said softly, as she sat where the Old Mage had been, "your questions are your own to answer, and your choices your own to make, and you must live out the results. That is what being a mage is, after all."
Tarth nodded, and cleared his throat. "Ah, uh-well met!" he began brightly.
She started to laugh…
That's your "powerful magic"? You claw mo hard at my patience, little wizard!
How does it feel when i do the same to your chain? And make it take fire at the same time! Hey? Eh?
[screaming, raw and wild and in vain, dying away]
Oh, no! Nor that easily! A uttle healing and a jolt awake, and you're ready to taste torment again.'
[roaring diabolic laughter, screams rising]
Chapter Sixteen
FOR THE LOVE OF AN OLD MAGE
Tentacles reached angrily toward the dirty, naked chained heap that was a man… then, reluctantly, drew back again.
I remain somewhat bewildered as to why some of the memories you've shown me are of lasting interest to mystra-or to you. Why is this in your mind, elminster? Does mystra place there only what she wants you to see, or also some things you desire to see?
Out of love and grace, the Lady I serve gives to me memories of things I could not witness but desire to. The doings of Mirt, for example-I felt the need to understand the character of this man, as a fellow Harper.
Ah. Just as i watched you from afar, you watch others. [Growl] I'll not try to hide from you, manung, that rage rises in me as I scour your mind and search out memory after memory, as if I'm seeking one stone in all the rock that is avernus, and find nothing of the memories of magic I seek. Memories I need.
Yet you must have them, or you could not be what you are… Perhaps mystra is the key. I do not think she reached out to change you, in her brief visitation here…i would have felt that. So your memories must survive-and finding the ones she gave to you must he where the treasure lies.
Show me a memory from mystra. It doesn't mattek which one; i can taste the difference now and follow the trail you leave me make it too long, and i'll give you much pain. Lead me to what i see, and you'll live longer. A simple bargain, eh?
Clear enough.
I heard your tone. Remeatber this: I hold you in my hand. I decide the terms… And the punishments. Forget that not.
Oh, I'm unlikely to. Believe me. human, do you dare to threaten me? I never threaten, devil. I promise.
[growl] I have a promise for you. When I have what I desire, your suffering will be