Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [67]
Damanda knew that last boast to be true.
"Of course, my lord. Instruct me," shuddered the faraway voice of Fallon.
"They will catch you if you stay above ground. You must lead them into a trap, below the boggy forest."
"Below?"
"Yes. This forest was a dark place, even before my arrival," chuckled the Rotting Man. "Why do you suppose the Nentyarch placed his seat of power here in the center of the Rawlinswood? To seal the unquiet Nar demons that still walk the blind paths below us. To stopper up Under-Tharos."
"Nar demons?" quavered Fallon.
"Do not interrupt me, elf. You may not know it, but Dun Tharos extends its crypt-like tunnels deep underground, though the Rawlinswood has choked shut most entrances. While my Close sits at the center of Dun Tharos on the surface, the extent of the city is far vaster below ground, showing only its tip here in the light. In truth, the Close is surrounded by a subterranean complex of great plazas and wrecked temples devoted to demonic powers. The treasures of NarfelPs fallen lords lie in buried storehouses and underground conjuring chambers. It was one of the reasons I chose to take this place as my own. Secrets can be had here that even I, Talona's favored, could stand to learn."
"I am to venture into this complex?"
"You are. I am sending Damanda to meet you. She can guide you through some of the most dangerous portions."
The blightlord smiled slightly upon hearing her name and the purpose the Rotting Man intended for her. She always enjoyed a chance to walk Under-Tharos. She was a seeker after lost secrets, too.
The Rotting Man continued, "You must keep pressing forward, Fallon. The demons bound by the sorcerers of fallen Narfell sleep; you can pass by them, but they are sensitive to the presence of mortal life, and in your wake they shall open their eyes. The cleric and his band will find roused demons barring their path. They will be turned back, or they will be killed. Either way, I succeed."
Fallon had the temerity to stutter, "What if a demon gets me and this child that you prize?"
"Keep moving. Do not linger in any one area too long. Do this, and you will live. Stay alive until Damanda reaches you. That is the only task you have. If by chance you should fail… well, the child whom you accompany may survive events that your frail flesh cannot, but I'd rather not put that surmise to the test."
"How will I find an entrance?" asked Fallon's rigid image.
In answer, the Talontyr touched the animate wooden mask on the forehead. The face screamed in sudden pain. The wood lost its coherence and gradually flattened back to stiff, petrified uniformity. The scream faded slowly away.
The Rotting Man turned to Damanda. "I implanted the location of the entrance directly into his mind. It seemed easiest." His eyes narrowed "My new pawn will be entering through the Barrow of the Queen Abiding. It is the Barrow onto which the Arches of Xenosi connect, after all. He's nearly on top of the entrance already. From there, he has a fairly straight path to us here at the center."
"What about the Lurker in the Middle?" asked Damanda. She remembered the name from another of the Rotting Man's foray's into the dungeons. That group had found the main passage contested by a creature, perhaps a demon, though that was uncertain, of considerable power. "Won't Fallon and the child have to pass the Lurker to reach here, not to mention all the rest?"
"That's why I'm sending you. Intercept him before the reaches the Middle Lurker. Keep the child safe from the Lurker. I do not much care what happens to Fallon, of course. He may serve as a useful distraction, should the