Elminster's Daughter - Ed Greenwood [76]
The Old Mage was aware of the two women backing instinctively away from him, awe warring with apprehension on their faces. "And like ye," he went on, his eyes never leaving those of his onetime pupil, "I feel the talons of time clawing at me at last. Like ye, I know not how much time I have left-but I know enough to feel 'tis not much any longer. So like ye, this drives me to do all I want to do, as swiftly as I can-and be damned to all these younger fools who stand in my way. I know just how ye feel, Vangey. Believe me."
He lifted one open hand, as if offering something invisible to the empty air. "So now, I'm going to ruthlessly compel ye-quite rudely, but 'tis necessary and this way 'twill at least be swift."
Vangerdahast glared at him, shuddering and going red-faced as he fought the invisible bonds of Elminster's magic. At last he barked out brief, wordless frustration and gave up, to slump and hang limply in midair. "Ask your questions," he said bitterly.
"I'm sorry, Vangerdahast," the Old Mage told him. "First then, precisely what creatures are you planning to bind, with these secret spells you're crafting?"
"Whatsecret spel-"
"Truth,Vangey. The truth, if ye can still remember what that is after so many years at Court," Elminster ordered, his voice calm but implacable.
Vangerdahast glared at him then snapped, "Dragons. Neutral or benevolent dragonkind."
Both Caladnei and Myrmeen drew in breath so sharply that they almost gasped-but said nothing, their eyes burning at Vangerdahast. So it was true!
Elminster spared them not a glance. "Willingly or unwillingly bound?"
The former Royal Magician seemed to shrink, dwindling in the air. "Willingly, if possible," he murmured.
"To awaken at what triggers?"
"When called."
Elminster acquired a sour look. "Vangey," he murmured, "are we going to have to do this by dragging every last word out of ye like so many hooked sea-beasts being hauled ashore? No one in this room thinks ye're anything less than Cormyr's savior and staunch defender, the backbone of the realm. We admire thy intended legacy-so why not discuss it freely? None of us three wants to see Cormyr overrun by Red Wizards and Zhentarim-among many others-hunting for ye or for thy spells, so we're hardly likely to pass on what we hear to anyone else. I'll even mindshield these two ladies, if they desire it, so anyone who tries to read their thoughts or memories will get blasted by magic that should leave that anyone drooling-witless for a day or so. So why not just speak freely? Hey?"
Vangerdahast closed his eyes, sighed, and said, "Very well. I intend that the guardian wyrms will be awakened by any being who utters the right words of summoning. For the words to work, the speaker will have to find and stand in the active area of the right portal-there should be at least two 'right portals' per dragon- while holding an item of the correct substance."
"And that substance is?"
"I know not, yet. Most probably a particular sort of gemstone. I haven't yet decided on that part of it. I'm leaning toward establishing two allowable substances in all cases, either one of which will 'work.' Of course, 'tis best if such substances will last down the years."
"Of course. Under what orders will these bound guardians operate when awakened?"
The former Royal Magician cast a quick glance at Caladnei-and just as quickly averted his eyes from her furious stare. "To defend and preserve the realm," he replied, almost sighing the words, "its government, and those of its folk who stand loyal. To strike at foes of the realm the guardian identifies or that are pointed out to it by its summoner and other beings it comes to trust."
"Itcomes to trust?"
"In the end, all things come down to trust," Vangey muttered quietly, looking at the floor. "They always do."
One of the two women drew in her breath sharply again, swallowing