Mistress of the Night - Don Bassingthwaite [111]
"Perhaps," said Variance, "you'll find that Shar triumphs over Selune after all, Keph."
Once again, the shadows seemed to thicken around her. Keph shuddered. In spite of himself, he took a step closer to the priestess. Facing the watching statue, she held out a hand and beckoned with two fingers.
"By the power of the Mistress of the Night, I bid you come forth, O beasts of Shadow!"
Around the plinth on which the statue stood, shadows lengthened and deepened, then swirled and condensed. Something within them moved-and five massive dogs came padding silently into the square. Keph shuddered and moved back. The dogs were as black as the night itself, with smooth, shining coats over thick muscles, and malevolent eyes above powerful jaws. And Variance wasn't finished.
"Come forth!" she said. "Come forth! In Shar's name, come forth!"
The black dogs kept coming until eighteen of the beasts squatted and stalked in the square. Even Shar's faithful pressed back from them. One of the dogs growled at Bolan and the priest took a cautious step away.
"Be calm," Variance commanded. "They're shadow mastiffs-our allies." She raised her hands and Keph could feel the power that flowed from her as she made a final call. "Rax! Variance Amatick summons you to Shar's service. Bound by ancient contracts, I call you now. Rax, stand forth!"
The shadows didn't so much condense then as collapse.
The final shadow mastiff to step onto the square was as large as a warhorse and brutally scarred. All of the other dogs looked to it with deference.
Variance held out her hand and said, "I would have you be my lieutenant tonight, Rax. Half of these beasts will be your pack. I ask only that you cause the greatest confusion possible." Her hand swept around the square. "In return I offer three nights hunting upon Faerun with Shar's blessing."
The huge dog's eyes narrowed and it let out a growl. Something about the sound of the black beast struck terror deep into Keph's soul.
Variance nodded calmly and said, "I thank you, Rax. Choose your pack and go. Your territory lies that way."
She turned and pointed-but not toward Moonshadow Hall or even Fourstaves House. She pointed down a third street.
Directly toward the night-crowded maze of the Stiltways.
Rax growled again and trotted off. Nine of the other mastiffs followed. Variance turned to Keph.
"There is your distraction," she said. "You'd best hurry if you want to make the best of it. When you have the tiles, bring them to me at the east wall of Moonshadow Hall. I'll be waiting for you." Keph stared at her. Her eyebrows arched. "Go!" she commanded. Her hand jabbed in the direction of Fourstaves House.
Keph whirled and ran. Behind him he could hear Variance as she called out to the cultists, "Come forward and receive Shar's blessing, for now we join her battle!"
***
The gout of divine fire lasted only moments, but it left Feena writhing on the floor of the kitchen. Footsteps approached-she forced herself to roll over and raise her head. Velsinore looked down at her. In her hands she clutched a long iron rod, a spit from the kitchen.
"Tell me, Feena," she said. "If Selune is good and Shar is evil, then why does Selune grant me the power to do this to you?"
Feena looked down at her hands. They were burned red and raw. It hurt to flex her fingers. The sleeves of her robe were smoldering. She groaned and sat back on her heels, looking up at Velsinore.
"I asked myself that question when Mother Dhauna forced me to attack her," Feena snarled. Her lungs burned with every breath. "This is what I think: Selune grants you power, but you choose how to use it. Selune isn't evil. You are."
Rage flared in Velsinore's eyes and she swung the rod with both hands. Feena hurled herself