Finder's Bane - Kate Novak [53]
"It's more luck than I'd hoped for," Holly said, staring in wonder at her cutlass. "You gave me my weapon just in time for us to go explore the cave up there."
"We agreed we weren't going to waste a lot of time here," Jas said. "We should press on to the south before the day gets any later."
"We should at least find out what's inside," Holly insisted. "It could be important. Lord Randal will want to know."
"It's Shraevyn's tomb," Jedidiah said.
"Really?" Holly asked excitedly. "Are you sure?"
"Who's Shraevyn?" Joel asked.
"Who cares?" Jas sighed.
"He was a mage who created magical weapons for the warriors of the dales a long time ago," Holly said. "How do you know for sure it's Shraevyn's?" she asked Jedidiah.
Jedidiah looked up at the sky. As if he saw words written there, he recited,
"A stone cast with faerie fire
marked the mage's final resting place.
His apprentices laid Shraevyn in a casket
in the mountain cave at the west end of the valley.
The wizardess and the warrior stood watch
while the worthies of the world
paid homage to the weaponsmith.
Beside him rested the Sword of the Dales,
waiting to shatter the bonds of tyrants."
Holly's eyes widened. "You were there?" she asked.
Jedidiah laughed. "My dear, that was over three and a half centuries ago. Just how old do you think I am? No, better not answer that. I was quoting from 'The Lay of Shraevyn,' translated, of course, from the elvish."
"The Sword of the Dales," Holly whispered. "Is that a great weapon?"
"It must have been," Jedidiah answered. "Shraevyn crafted it."
"I can't just leave here without finding out more," Holly insisted.
"We haven't got enough manpower to go looting a crypt," Jas insisted. "Besides, they're always loaded with traps and tricks."
"It might be better to let Lord Randal investigate with several stout men of his own choosing," Jedidiah suggested.
"But that could take days," Holly argued. "We can't risk the Zhents discovering what's in there first."
"We will lead the Zhents away from this place when we leave," Jedidiah said. "As for the time, that I may be able to shorten." He whistled and cupped his hands together. When he opened his hands again, a golden warbler hopped from his palm to his finger-the same sort of bird Joel had seen in his vision. The bird tilted its head to look up at the old priest with one eye. It peeped expectantly. "Speak a message to Lord Randal," Jedidiah told the paladin. "Keep it short," he added.
"Lord Randal," Holly began tentatively. Her voice wavered, but she grew more confident as she spoke, "Shraevyn's tomb has been found," she reported. "Uncovered. At the end of Giant Craw Valley. If you hurry, you may reach it before the Zhentarim learn of it. I travel south now. Your faithful servant, Holly." She looked up at Jedidiah. "Is that all right?"
"Perfect," the priest said. He whistled at the bird and raised his hand. The golden warbler circled to gain altitude, then took off to the southeast.
Holly smiled with pleasure. "Thank you," she said to Jedidiah.
"You're most welcome. It is the least I could do for the service you have rendered me," he said.
"What service?" Holly asked.
"Looking after my student here," the old priest said, patting Joel on the back. "Thank you both," he said, nodding to Jas.
"You'll get my bill later," Jas muttered. "Can we leave now?" she asked Joel.
Joel looked at Jedidiah. The old priest smiled but said nothing.
"I guess we should be off, then," the young bard answered.
They left the valley riding the Zhents' horses. The horses without a rider they tied together and led along behind them. Holly looked back on the valley and noted to her satisfaction that the exposed crypt entrance couldn't be seen from the magical stone.
As they rode south through the foothills, Jedidiah entertained Holly and Joel with song after song. The old priest's repertoire seemed infinite. Joel sang along with a few he knew. When Holly asked shyly to be taught some of the