Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [39]
Marrec gazed out into the void, noting the firefly points as they drifted into and out of view. He realized that those points represented only motes of earth or objects that were somehow illuminated. Perhaps many others drifted unseen in the dark. He said, "What wonders could one find here, if he looked?"
"That is a question to which I have yearned to know, myself, though exploration of the Nadir could prove dangerous," said Ususi. "The Mucklestones are important to me. That is another reason I must see this thing through.
I have to learn how much the Rotting Man knows of the Celestial Nadir, and if he intends further incursions. As I've said, some things that lie here should not be disturbed. There is a reason the Imaskar empire fell, beyond that of simple revolt, I believe. It is my fear that a remnant of that power might lie herein, unremembered, but potent should it be disturbed."
Elowen had moved closer, leaving her mount in Gunggari's care. She said, "You always said… I mean, what, if not a slave revolt, brought down the empire?"
"I do not know for sure," murmured Ususi, "but I know one thing; it does not bear meddling if a taint of that power lingers here."
After that they continued their march without speaking for some tens of minutes. Marrec was contemplating empty places of the universe, when Gunggari's low voice interrupted his leaping thoughts.
The Oslander said, "Something is here with us."
They stopped. Peering back along the stone track into the deepening gloom, Marrec asked, "What?"
"Something that buzzes. It is not confined to the path. The buzzing sound puts me in mind of an insect, a large insect. I've been hearing it since before the water bubble crossed our path, but it's getting louder now."
Marrec couldn't hear it, but he knew Gunggari's senses were sharper than his own. He continued to cast his gaze behind, but Gunggari shook his head.
"It is ahead of us. We're drawing closer to it."
Ususi said, "The only way out is through; we must go forward."
Marrec nodded, and they continued.
It wasn't long before all could hear the faint buzzing. It did sound like an insect, sort of like a horsefly, but deeper.
Ususi volunteered, "I don't know that sound, but look there." She pointed to the stone path ahead.
Marrec saw that the flat column of stone continued on straight ahead without deviation, but there was a strange sheen to it, unlike the stone over which they'd already walked. The stone almost appeared to be coated with crystal, like the interior of a geode but without the brilliant color.
He asked, "What is it?"
Ususi shrugged, shaking her head. "It is a mystery to me, but it's interesting to look at." "Great."
They continued moving but slower. The thin crystalline lattice below their feet crunched with each step. While not slippery, the uneven footing made the broad path seem a bit narrower and more precarious.
"I spy a mist ahead. It covers the path, but we must pass through it. Let us slow down a bit," said Ususi.
Marrec realized that she was referring to the pale, wispy-white mist that was coming into the light shed by the Keystone lamp. It billowed like a cloud ahead of them, a vast cloud that had settled upon the path.
Ususi continued, "Let me go ahead and make certain it is safe to enter. I expect that it is harmless… but I would rather be sure." She seemed less sure of herself.
They waited as Ususi strode to the periphery of the diaphanous cloud. As she approached, the mist churned and gave way just slightly. The mage raised her other hand and concentrated. Arcane syllables fell from her lips.
Finally she turned and said, "Ectoplasm. It is ephemeral and harmless. I am not sure why it has been drawn into this space; it is normally a purely astral phenomenon."
Marrec was not familiar with astral phenomena, but he thought that the milky strands and gossamer draperies lent the path a dreamlike quality. He motioned for the rest of the group to follow behind. As they moved forward, the geode-like quality of the path become more apparent. He decided that the mist and