Mistress of the Night - Don Bassingthwaite [110]
"Then why does she still answer my prayers?" Velsinore thrust out her hand, Selune's medallion in her grasp. "Moonmaiden, scour my enemies!"
A scream wrenched itself out of Feena as silver-white fire burst all around her, burning her flesh and searing her very soul.
The Sharrans poured out of a cramped tunnel and through a splintered wall into a dusty cellar beneath a broom-maker's shop. Had the shopkeeper known what the broken wall had hidden? Keph didn't think so-there was blood on the shop floor and the smell of death in the air. Someone had been murdered to keep the newly opened passage a secret.
Outside the shop, the night was sweltering hot and still. Clouds veiled the stars. Far off in the distance over the Sea of Fallen Stars, heat lightning lit the sky in silent display. Yhaunn seemed to hold its breath. The chants and clashing that had accompanied the cult through the tunnels beneath the city fell silent. Most of the cultists slipped into the shadows, and all Keph could think of was a swarm of rats darting through the streets.
Variance walked down the center of the street like some kind of dark matron and where she walked the shadows grew deeper, cloaking her skulking children. Anyone meeting the dark tide in the street would surely vanish into it, and anyone glancing out a window would see nothing but thick shadow and vague figures.
Keph had been counting the cultists. He edged up beside Variance as they strode along.
"You have twenty-eight madmen and women following you," he whispered. "That's not going to be enough to launch an assault on Moonshadow Hall. If the Selunites can't stop you themselves, the city guard will!"
Variance looked at him. He could barely see her face, but her voice was low and calm. "Are you trying to convince me to stop the attack?"
His stomach twisted. "You're leading the cult into a massacre."
Faster than he would have thought possible, her hand lashed out and dug into his shoulder. Her fingers were hard. He gasped.
"You should only worry about the task ahead of you," she said. "When the time comes, I suggest that you run for Fourstaves House very quickly. You won't have long before the distraction begins." Keph caught the flash of a frown. "For now, stay close and hold your tongue. I will turn Shar's magic against you if I have to." ' She released him and he staggered. A short distance away, Bolan snickered.
"Keph! Hey, Keph!" Baret jogged over to him. "Where's Jarull tonight?"
Keph could feel Variance's eyes on him. He ground his teeth together.
"Jarull… is out of Yhaunn," Keph lied. "He's gone to Ravens Bluff."
"Why would he do that? He's going to miss everything!"
Baret sounded genuinely disappointed.
"Maybe Shar called him," Keph answered.
"Dark!" Baret said in wonder. "Both of you touched by the goddess!" He drew a deep breath. "Talisk, Starne, and me were wondering if we could stand with you during the assault. Talisk says that if Shar rescued you from the Selunites, she must have you marked. We could be an honor guard for you."
Keph's throat seemed to close around his breath. "No," he said.
"Come on!"
"I said, no!"
Keph reached out and pushed the other man away, Baret stumbled and cursed.
"Keph's modesty ill becomes one favored of Shar," interrupted Variance. Keph whirled on her. The priestess was wearing a smile. "The Lady of Loss has given him a special task tonight, one he must perform alone. But such faith as yours will be rewarded, Baret. Bring Talisk and Starne to me and receive the blessing of Shar's own strength."
Awe crossed Baret's face. "Yes, Mother Night!"
He disappeared into the shadows. Variance watched after him for a moment. Keph glared at her.
"He doesn't deserve to die," he said between clenched teeth.
"He came to Shar's embrace willingly-even more willingly than you did." She stopped abruptly then called, "Bolan!"
Without further instruction, Bolan swiftly herded the other cultists away from