Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [20]
"Gameliel is but one of three currently active blight-lords. Each is powerful in his or her own right, but all serve a still greater master. I've been afraid Gameliel was active beyond the Rawlinswood, but I had no proof until now. The other two blightlords are called Anammelech and Damanda. The blightlords all serve a single master: the Rotting Man, also called the Talontyr."
Ash, silent for so long, drew in her breath, as if in response to the last name.
All eyes found the child.
Ash was gazing at the hanging items, apparently without a care in the world, or cognizance of anything other than hanging roots, grasses, and bulbs.
When it was apparent that no further response was forthcoming from Ash, Elowen continued, "The Rotting Man is more aspect than mortal, but he is an aspect of decay. He is one of the Circle of Lethe's most potent and long standing enemies. If the Rotting Man's servant, Gameliel, is abroad in Lethyr, I must find and stop him. Even if I should succeed in that task, I must report back to the Nentyarch himself, who must be warned of the Rotting Man's newest embassy. He already holds most of Rawlinswood-he can't be allowed to infect the Forest of Lethyr."
"What are these Mucklestones? Why would Gameliel desire their control?" interjected Gunggari.
"They are ancient and potent," responded Ususi. "Though not all their powers are understood by any one person, save possibly for Briartan, one thing is certain: they serve as magical portals, allowing access to and from distant places across, and under, Faerun." By the significant tone in her voice, Marrec wondered if the strange woman knew more than she was saying concerning the Mucklestones, but he didn't press the woman.
"Gameliel would want them for the same reason anyone might-in order to quickly transport himself, or his forces, without the need to physically travel the distance in between," said Elowen.
All were quiet for a time, considering.
Ususi poured hot tea into dainty blue stone cups and offered them to each traveler, except for Ash.
Marrec took a sip. Interesting. Something like a cross between citrus and cinnamon. He felt some of his travel-induced weariness melt from him.
"Thank you," said Gunggari, also enjoying his tea.
Elowen merely sipped and smiled, evidently familiar with the revitalizing effects of Ususi's brew. For the moment, she was content watching the steam from her cup rise in simple loops and ribbons.
Ususi observed, "What about this child? I don't understand her role-why is she here? And the rest of you?" She pointed to Marrec and Gunggari. The woman seemed impatient, as if lack of understanding was a position unfamiliar to her.
Marrec's stomach sank. He realized then that Ususi knew nothing of Ash.
Marrec sighed, "None of us understand her role. My friend Gunggari and I are here because of her, and her apparent connection to these Mucklestones. All I know is that she is somehow important to my goddess Lurue."
Marrec launched into the story, telling Ususi about the goddess' growing silence over recent years, and the signs that finally led him to Ash, supposedly as an answer to these troubles.
When Marrec finished, Ususi frowned, sipped her tea, and offered no immediate response.
"Well?" asked Marrec, a little impatient in his own right.
"Your goddess is unfamiliar to me… she has not been one of my areas of study, but," Ususi raised her hands, forestalling Marrec's frustrated sigh, "I do have a strong feeling about this. Unless my eldritch intuition is astray, Briartan of the Mucklestones can provide you some answers to your questions."
Elowen nodded, saying, "There is little knowledge that Briartan does not gather to himself."
The unicorn warrior settled back, looking again at Ash. He had hoped to return Ash to her father after the Two Stars trip, but that was not to be, at least not immediately. The cleric would have to take the only other option available. He'd have to