Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [71]
Ususi said, "They could. Demons are not from the world. They have an infernal power, and some even have abilities that could imperil your immortal spirit."
"Hmm," was Gunggari's only response.
Marrec walked to the edge of the mound entrance. "Let's go."
Gunggari and Ususi stepped forward, but Elowen said, "Hold on, what about Henri? We can't just leave him."
Ususi said, "This isn't the first time I've heard of such things-mounts being left at the mouths of subterranean passages too narrow for hooves. He should be safe enough until we return. If we return."
"He won't be safe in the Rawlinswood." The elf stroked the pony's mane.
Marrec paused. He had much on his mind, but he knew he couldn't forsake the creature. He said, "Henri is too large to negotiate the stairs."
"Too bad. We could have used a packhorse," said Gunggari. The Oslander was nothing if not practical.
"Remember, Elowen, he yet wears the gift of the Nentyarch. It was that magic that probably allowed Henri to find us just now. I don't doubt that it will see him safe all the way back to Yeshelmaar."
Elowen subsided. "I suppose you're right. He's probably safer than we are, come to think of it. We've just cleared the path back out of the forest."
They sent Henri on his way. The pony didn't seem dispirited to put his back to the dark, ill-smelling stairs.
They descended. The stairs were steep. Worse, the breadth of each step was shallow. Hard packed earth, then smooth stone, rose up on either side as they descended ever deeper below the surface.
Ususi conjured a light, one on the tip of Marrec's spear, and one for herself. The radiance was strong and unwavering, exactly unlike the light of a torch or even magical lights that emulated candle or torch flame to which Marrec was most accustomed. The woman possessed exotic spells, that was certain.
"It's getting colder," said Marrec.
Ususi responded, "That's normal underground."
"No. I mean, I've experienced the subterranean chill before-this is unnaturally cold."
The stairs ended on a landing below. The light on Marrec's spear revealed the truth of his words. Ice slicked the walls, glinting like crystal. An icy arch opened into a dark space beyond.
Marrec stepped off the stairs and up to the arch. He thrust his light through to reveal a wide, flat tunnel, obviously worked. The passage was completely sheathed in ice to the limit of Marrec's light source. Ice sickles hung like stalactites from the ceiling. His breath steamed out before him
Marrec turned to Gunggari, "I don't suppose you brought your furs, eh?"
Gunggari shook his head, "They're back in Yeshelmaar. We departed too quickly for me to gather all my effects."
"Yeah, I remember," responded the cleric.
Gunggari bent, touching the floor. He said, "They went this way. Come."
A voice, stark and devoid of warmth, spoke from the darkness ahead. It said something in a language incomprehensible to Marrec.
Ususi said in a quiet voice, "That is the language of the Abyss. Looks like you get to meet your first demon, Gunggari."
A creature of black ice slid into the light. It eased to a stop not more than ten feet from Marrec, without any outward sign of effort or limb movement. The creature was something like a wolf, though its icy composition and size belied any thought of a natural origin. Points of red hellfire burned in its eye sockets. The shards and chunks of ice that made up the creature flexed and pulsed in sick mockery of life, or with a life usually unknown except in the cold nether regions of Abyssal provenance. The monstrosity was wrapped in stink, reminiscent of a corpse buried in winter snow disturbed by scavengers.
The cleric made to cast his spear.
The demon spoke again, but that time in a language Marrec could understand. It said, "Parley." It rose to its rear legs, standing with an obscene approximation of a biped.
"Parley," it said again. "Speak with the Queen Abiding. Make agreement good for you, good for she that Abides."
When it talked, its breath chilled Marrec even where he stood.
"How can we trust you,