Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [51]
Ash made no move, nor did anyone expect a reaction. Marrec accepted the bridle, thanking the Nentyarch for his thoughtfulness.
"Wait, I'm going, too," yelled Ususi. "If the Rotting Man threatens Lethyr, then he threatens the Mucklestones. I can't have that. I will help you end his threat, if I can."
"I wondered," smiled the Nentyarch. "I suppose we can't let you go without a gift of your own to aid you in this fight. Let me think… ah yes, I have the perfect thing."
He gestured to the hunter who still held the chest containing the Keystone. Ususi's eyes widened. The Lord of Yeshelmaar opened the chest, retrieved the Keystone once more and bestowed it on Ususi. The glowing stone lit up her face like the light of the sun reflected off water.
The Nentyarch said, "The Keystone needs a keeper. I know of no one more knowledgeable about those mystic stones. 1 charge you with the protection of the stones and with the keeping of the Keystone. Use their power well, Ususi Keywarden."
Ususi swallowed, then simply nodded her head. Marrec enjoyed seeing the mage at a loss for words. Ususi solemnly placed the Keystone back into the chest. She finally said, "I am grateful." A thought struck Marrec then.
"Nentyarch," said Marrec, "with the Keystone, perhaps we may shortcut the ruined passages below the Rawlinswood entirely?"
The elder elf looked to the mage. Ususi considered and said, "That may be. We can perhaps pick up the path through the Celestial Nadir where we left it yesterday. I left the exit open. I might be able to forge a detour into the center of Dun-Tharos instead of back to the Mucklestones themselves."
The Nentyarch added, "If you choose such a route, be careful. My dreams hint that the Rotting Man influences all realms contingent and coexistent with his own. It could be that you'll find defenses even in your ancient space."
Ususi looked doubtful and said nothing. Marrec said, "We will take counsel and decide our path by this afternoon."
"Then the Court is concluded," intoned the Nentyarch.
The Lord of Yeshelmaar called a feast in honor of the heroes who were resolved to find and face the Talontyr. As usual during such affairs, Elowen ate sparingly.
Afterwards, Elowen, Gunggari, Marrec, Ususi, and the other three hunters whom the Nentyarch selected to aid in the endeavor agreed to meet. Plans had to be laid in such a mighty undertaking. They chose a garden high on the side of Yeshelmaar, called Skymeadow, which Fallon suggested for its ideal lighting.
Elowen reached the garden first. Of all the hanging gardens in Yeshelmaar, Skymeadow was by far her favorite, so she was surprised Fallon would suggest it. In her experience, the hunter always went out of his way to annoy her. She decided not to waste her early arrival in contemplation of Fallon's bitter nature.
She selected a cleared circular space of reddish flagstones, surrounded by low benches. A clump of leafy fruit trees overhung the patio, providing shade from the sun's direct glare. Papyrus stems and various flowering mints ran rampant outside the circumference of the patio, save for the occasional lone fruit tree. Beyond she could see a landscaped pool, complete with a cool grotto, like a cave, actually carved into the rock of Yeshelmaar. She could discern a bronze statue of Corellon Larethian deep in the shadows of the grotto.
Who was she kidding?
She pulled out the Nentyarch's gift, unstrapping the scabbard of Dymondheart from her belt and laying the weapon reverently before her on the stone bench. Though the scabbard was beautiful, her eyes were drawn to the grain of the wood hilt. She ran her hands along the hilt, then grasped it. She expected it to be slippery, but instead the grip was solid, warm, almost welcoming. She pulled the length of the blade free of the scabbard.
Shafts of sunlight penetrated the tree cover to strike and scatter off the