Viper's Kiss - Lisa Smedman [23]
Arvin tried to manifest a second fate link-this time, between elf and naga. The monster wouldn't suffer the effects of the damage the elf had already taken, but if it continued to attack, the pain it would suffer would give it pause for thought. Though he felt a slight tingle in his chest, nothing happened. His psionic energies were too depleted to manifest that power.
The wife's wails were increasing in volume. Releasing her husband's body at last, she rose unsteadily to her feet and shook her fist at the heavens, one hand gripping the keel. "Why him?" she screamed. "Why?"
The naga's head whipped around. It lunged down, sinking its teeth into her upraised arm. She gave a choked cry and staggered backward as the nags released her. She collapsed into a seated position, supporting herself with one hand.
"Stay where you are," Karrell called to the woman. "I am coming to help." Then, before Arvin could stop her, she dived into the water. What Karrell thought she could accomplish, Arvin had no idea. The woman would be dead within a few heart beats from the naga's venom. Even if Karrell reached her in time to cast a preventive spell, she'd be the next to fall.
"Karrell, no!" Arvin cried. "Come back!"
She ignored him, swimming steadily on toward the boat.
He had to do something-but what? His energies were almost depleted, but there was one small thing he could do. Sending his awareness clown into his throat, he chose one of his lesser powers-one that caused its target to become momentarily distracted by an imagined sight or sound. A low droning filled the air as it manifested. The naga had been lashing back and forth, but as the power manifested, its head turned sharply to stare at a distant spot on the river.
As Karrell at last reached the boat and climbed up to help the injured woman, Arvin used his power to distract the naga a second time. "Karrell!" he shouted. "Swim with her back to the island! Get away from there!"
Karrell, however, wasn't listening. She crouched beside the woman, touching her arm.
The naga glanced down at her and parted its jaws. Arvin distracted it a third time.
"Hurry up," Arvin gritted under his breath. "Finish the spell."
The naga recovered-more quickly than before. Arvin distracted it a fourth time.
Karrell still hadn't completed her spell.
The naga loomed above her, hissing furiously. It was almost as if the monster realized it was being hit with psionics-and blamed the attacks on the woman who was crouched on the overturned boat, within easy striking distance.
Arvin tried to distract the naga a fifth time. Nothing happened. The energy stored in his muladhara had run dry. "Leave her!" he shouted at Karrell. She ignored him.
"Where…" a faint voice asked, "… is it?"
Arvin glanced around. The elf was kneeling on the rocks behind him, his head drooping.
"Give me your hand," Arvin said. "I'll show you." He grabbed the elf's hand and aimed it at the spot where the naga was. "There," he said. "About…"
Seeing that Karrell was also in a direct line with the elf's hand, he hesitated. If he judged the distance or angle incorrectly, she would die.
The naga bared its venomous fangs. Its eyes were locked on Karrell.
"One hundred and seventeen paces away!" Arvin urged. "Quick! Cast your spell."
The elf's lips drew together in a determined line. He pointed at the sky with his free hand and chanted the words of his spell. Guided by Arvin's hand, his arm swept downThe naga lunged forward; Karrell jerked to one side. The naga reared back, preparing to lash out at Karrell a second timeThe lightning bolt struck. This time, the aim was true. The bolt lanced into the naga's head, exploding it. This time it was bits of skull and brain that splashed down into the water, rather than splinters of wood. The suddenly headless naga swayed back and forth for a moment longer then crumpled into the water. It disappeared from sight, leaving behind ripples that sloshed against the overturned boat, staining the river red.
The elf turned his head, listening.