Lady of Poison_ The Priests - Bruce R. Cordell [98]
They broke out into a large clearing. The orange light of advancing dawn revealed a large, mausoleum-like stone building in the clearing's center. Thick undergrowth partially hid the entrance.
"What is it?" wondered Lex, speaking for the first time. Her voice sounded like a squealing hinge, irritating and penetrating.
"It is an old Nar hermitage," said Damanda, sounding pleased. "I found it on a map the Talontyr keeps in his library. When we followed our missing morsel… er, friend, up to the surface, I decided we'd get back to the Close quicker if we took an overland route. I knew this structure would be around here."
Lex grunted acknowledgement, looking at the lightening sky.
They entered the dark building.
None of the vampires commented when Fallon picked up a length of dead branch before pulling Ash after him through the entrance.
CHAPTER 27
Marrec smiled when they reached the surface. They had lost track of time during their sojourn in Under-Tharos. When the light of day caressed his face, his spirits lifted a bit. His friends were likewise affected, all except for Ususi. The wizard seemed impassive in the sudden daylight and squinted as if in irritation. Strange woman, thought Marrec.
Gunggari brought his dizheri to his lips and played a quick, celebratory tune, which was difficult with the low, thundering notes the instrument was mostly able to produce, but the Oslander managed to sound a cheery refrain.
Elowen clapped the man on the shoulder when he finished. "What was that tune called?" she asked.
"'Welcome to the Morning.' It seemed appropriate."
Marrec said, "Not morning too far along, by the light." Elowen nodded.
"Gunggari, do you still have the trail?" inquired Marrec. With the sun above, even through the filtering branches of the Rawlinswood, they might be able to close some ground with their quarry.
The tattooed soldier stowed his instrument, crouched. After a moment, he looked up, said, "It is clearer than ever. This way."
They traveled then for a time under the boughs of the forest. Where they had ascended to the surface, the forest didn't seem especially corrupt, for all that it overlay Under-Tharos and was nominally in the control of the Rotting Man. They had found a portion of the forest that had escaped direct contamination with evil or rot. Though the sunlight seemed different there than to the west or south, harsher, it was sunlight all the same. The scents of pine and fir were a welcome break from damp stone. Above, clouds piled high along the skyline as they rushed toward the dryer east.
It eased Marrec's soul.
Gunggari stopped again. He looked around at an area of forest that didn't seem too much different than any of the areas they had just passed, at least to Marrec.
Gunggari said, "There was some sort of meeting here. I think I understand now. Two were far in the lead, but four caught up with them, right at this point."
The Oslander searched the ground and nearby trees more closely. He shook his head, saying, "Something strange happened. One of the pursuers left quickly. There is no further sign of that one. The others were involved in some sort of minor altercation, perhaps just a scuffle. Afterwards, all continued, but in this direction, toward the center of the forest again."
Marrec had earlier noted that they had been moving away from the center. Strange. He asked, "And Ash?"
Gunggari nodded, "Yes, her prints remain clear, clearer than all the rest, nearly. She was led this way." He continued to point toward the center of the forest.
"How long, Gunggari?" asked Elowen.
"Sometime before dawn."
"Then we are a few hours behind, at the very most. Let us make haste."
As they made to move on, Victoricus tittered. The demon said, "I've brought you as far as the Queen Abiding intended. From here, you go alone."
With its last word uttered, the ice demon cracked, and shattered into small chunks. The pieces began to melt in the sunlight.
Marrec said. "It's up to us."
"The demon was useful," noted Gunggari.
Ususi sniffed. Marrec knew the wizard felt otherwise. He hoped