Fistandantilus Reborn - Douglas Niles [67]
“Gnar, your leg is badly hurt. We’ll have to see how you fare. And, Kal”-he addressed the man who had been kicked in the head-“you’ll be able to walk, I have no doubt.
“Nic, let me see that arm.” Kelryn gestured to the man whose elbow had been crushed by the rearing horse. The fellow came forward and knelt, while the bandit leader took the limb in both of his hands, ignoring the man’s gasp of pain when the arm was lifted.
“Fistandantilus!” cried Kelryn Darewind, turning his face to the sky.
“Hear my prayer and grant me the power to heal your unworthy servant’s arm!”
A green light flared through the night, and Danyal gasped at a sudden, foul scent, like the odor released when someone turned over a rotten log.
Kelryn Dare-wind stiffened, calling out strange words as he clutched the injured elbow.
“Stop! No!” The wounded bandit cried out in pain and twisted away, falling to the ground and writhing. He groaned, kicked weakly, and drew ragged breaths as he lay motionless, panting like a dog. After a few moments, however, he pushed himself off the ground with both hands, forcing himself to sit up.
“The-the pain is gone,” he declared, extending the arm. To Danyal, the limb seemed stiff, still cocked at an unnatural angle, but the bandit seemed content that his agony had been dispelled.
“You called out the name of Fistandantilus, and then you healed him?”
Foryth Teel, like Danyal, was clearly amazed. “What happened here?”
“A priest called upon the power of his god… and he cast a spell.” The bandit leader spoke of himself in third person. He seemed dazed.
“That was astonishing!” Foryth Teel declared. He picked up his book, flipping through several pages. “Healing magic is the clear province of faithful priests and gods. But you called upon Fistandantilus. Does that mean that you…?” The question trailed off. Then the historian blinked.
“You are the Master of Loreloch?”
“Indeed. As I was the Seeker in Haven, the ‘false’ priest of Fistandantilus.” “But-but that was real magic! You actually healed him!”
“You are surprised?”
“Astounded, more truthfully.” Foryth blinked again, scratching his chin. “And you claim the faith of a god named after the ancient archmage Fistandantilus? That is truly amazing.”
“In fact, I worship the true faith of Fistandantilus, the sect of a god as genuine as Takhisis or Paladine!”
“But he was mortal. He was a man, not a god!” Foryth Teel was adamant. “There must be some other explanation. An inconsistency in translation, perhaps!”
“No, nothing like that, I assure you.”
“But-but how could it happen? It’s impossible. It must have been a trick-“
“In case you doubt the evidence of your own eyes, I dispute your preposterous suggestion about my actions. Are you as much a fool as the others?” The bandit sighed, with an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders. “It seems that I will have to prove it to you. Fistandantilus is a god, and I am his high priest! And you, of course, are my prisoners!” Once again Kelryn seemed to be in sudden good cheer, throwing back his head and laughing heartily. “Now, my unwilling guests, if you will be so kind as to gather your blankets, I wish to start out before the dawn.”
“Where are you taking us?” Danyal dared to ask, keeping a wary eye on the menacing figure of the one-eyed bandit, Zack.
“Why, to your destination, of course.” Kelryn spoke as if he was surprised by the question. “You will have a chance to become acquainted with the dungeon of Lore-loch, but it is still some miles away.”
“Splendid!” Foryth Teel declared. “Then we’ll have plenty of time to talk!”
The amazing thing was, thought Danyal as his fellow captive excitedly gathered his quills, ink, and teapot, that the historian actually meant it.
CHAPTER 24
Another Detour on the Road to Faith First Majetog, Reapember 374 AC It is with a mingled sense of purest excitement and deepest regret that I at last address my notes. On the one hand, I have made a startling discovery that twists an understanding of history on its ear: Fistandantilus, a god! With