Pool of Radiance - James M. Ward [133]
"Probably." Ren nodded. "But this time it will be different. Cadorna won't be there to keep our testimony from being heard. And remember, we still have all those documents from Yarash."
"Plus the fact that one of my brothers, an elder from the temple, was promoted to Third Councilman when Cadorna became Second. When Cadorna rose to First Councilman, he probably rose to Second," Tarl added.
"And now, with Cadorna gone, he must be First!" Shal concluded happily.
Tarl kept the four ioun stones from the hexagon for the temple. The hexagon itself was of pure gold, and Tarl and Shal agreed that Ren should take it, since he was no longer thieving for a living, but they found nothing else of value in the dragon's lair. When they left, the three discovered the body of the wizard Cadorna had killed, and Shal gathered up his spellbooks and notes as she had Yarash's. A handful of butterflies followed them out, then disappeared into the brightly lit afternoon.
On a whim, Ren went past the two dead ogres they had seen earlier and made sure the door with the dragon head was open. A brigade of butterflies-orange, yellow, blue, and green-flew out through the open door and followed the others into the light of a warm afternoon.
As they passed through the castle and then through the ruins of Phlan, they found signs everywhere of kobolds, orcs, gnolls, and other creatures, but left to their own devices, without the dominating influence of the Lord of the Ruins, the humanoids and monsters were not unified in their efforts, and even the few that did see the three passing had enough memory to know that they didn't want to mess with the party that even now they still called simply "those three."
As cleric, mage, and ranger made their return, they talked of the expansion the city would see with the artifacts of Tyr in their rightful place, the Lord of the Ruins vanquished, and the river flowing clean and pure into the bay. Shal hoped to return to Cormyr, to Ranthor's keep, for things she had left behind. Tarl promised to accompany her on the journey if she would just wait until he was sure Anton was healed, and she spoke earnestly of the possibility of returning to Denlor's tower and starting up his school again. After all, there was that huge library in the ruins that she had yet to explore…
Shal and Tarl walked hand in hand, and Ren spoke wistfully of Jensena. Ren had asked Sot to keep an eye on her while she continued to recover and to be sure to find out where she was headed if she left. The innkeeper had agreed and even threatened to make Ren stay and scrub tables forever if he didn't hook up with her. "The woman needs your company," Sot had reasoned, "what with her friends gone and all." Ren hadn't disagreed. And, he felt certain, neither would Jensena…
* * * * *
Back at the pool, Gensor had materialized quickly after the three departed, and his thin, pink lips were turned up in the biggest smile of his lifetime. In the depths of the pool he had found the dragon's hoard-gold and jewels that would fund his magical endeavors for a lifetime, magical items beyond his wildest imaginings, and spellbooks enough to keep him studying forever-and all magically protected from damage by the water. Who needed Cadorna?
EPILOGUE
"You realize your name doesn't fit you anymore, don't you?" asked Shal.
Why? Because I no longer glow blue? I told you, I don't distinguish colors, so it doesn't matter.
"Well, it matters to me. I think Mulberry would be an appropriate name."
Mulberry? Cerulean hunkered his head down and plastered his ears tight beside his forelock. Mulberry?
"It's a little less pretentious, don't you think?" Shal pursued.
A lot less pretentious. Milbert or Herbert would put me in the same arena.
"Now, now. Mulberry's a beautiful color, and a splendid name. And if you're good, I won't even call you Mully for short."
Mully? Gads! Ugh! Kill me first. That's a cheap and dirty way of getting me to agree to the name Mulberry…
"Oh, good, you like it! Then it's