Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [116]
Kestrel took advantage of the distraction to scurry over to Athan and Corran. Athan had recovered much of his strength, but the paladin looked ready to collapse. “I’ve healed him as much as I’m able,” Corran croaked out through blistered lips and a throat parched by heat. “Tyr answered my prayers beyond my imagining.”
“You should have saved some of those healing powers for yourself.” Kestrel pulled her last two blueglow moss potions from her beltpouch. “Drink these.” Corran accepted one vial but pushed the other away. “Both of them,” she admonished. “No arguments.” Athan voiced his agreement. Pelendralaar swiped his claws at Durwyn. At a word from Ghleanna, the burly fighter suddenly moved with lightning speed, easily dodging the knifelike talons. The dracolich jerked his head at the sound of the mage’s voice. “Your sorcery is nothing to what my queen’s was.” He fixed his gaze upon her and uttered a string of arcane syllables. Bursts of magical fire raced toward the half-elf, but a shimmering barrier surrounded Ghleanna, repelling the missiles. Durwyn, meanwhile, landed an axe blow on one of the creature’s claws.
Athan rose to his feet, anxious to reenter the battle. Corran too, now partially restored by the potions, looked for an opportunity to strike the dracolich. “Our swords can’t reach him from up here,” the paladin said. “And we’re vulnerable to another breath attack. We have to get off this ledge.”
Kestrel soberly assessed the steep drop. They’d kill themselves jumping, but she didn’t relish the idea of a slow climb down with her back to Pelendralaar. “We have no choice but to scale the wall,” she said finally. “Durwyn’s got the beast distracted-this may be our only chance.” She headed for the ledge and prepared to descend. Corran was right behind her, but Athan remained where he was.
“Go ahead,” Athan said, his eyes on Pelendralaar. “I’ve got another way down.”
Kestrel exchanged quizzical glances with Corran but had no time to ponder Athan’s plan. She slipped over the edge and scurried down the wall as fast as she could.
The dracolich batted at Durwyn like a kitten trying to catch dust motes. Faeril struck him with the spiritual hammer once more. With a roar, Pelendralaar twisted his long neck to capture the cleric in his sight. His mouth opened wide and rushed toward Faeril. Mystra’s servant stood her ground.
Just as his jaws were about to snap around her, Faeril shouted a command. Brilliant sunlight streamed from her staff. The dracolich howled as the pure rays eclipsed the unholy fire in his own eyes. The cleric thrust the weapon into his jaws, wedging them open. Thus disabled, the dracolich could neither bite nor speak-nor cast spells.
Pelendralaar’s whole body thrashed as he tried to shake loose the staff. He tossed his head wildly. Tendrils of foul-smelling smoke curled up from patches on his body where his undead flesh smoldered in the sunlight.
An evocation from Ghleanna draped an enormous, sticky web over Pelendralaar’s forelegs. Each time he raised his claws they became more enmeshed in the webbing. Unable to bring his forelegs up to his jaws, he tried lowering his head to meet the limited range of his claws and mired his snout in cobwebs. He flapped and twisted at the edge of the Pool of Radiance.
Kestrel, now safely on the ground with Corran, dashed out of harm’s way as Pelendralaar’s flailing brought him near the ledge where Athan yet stood. The dracolich beat his wings, scraping the ledge with the leathery appendages. Before Kestrel realized his intent, Athan leaped forward and grabbed hold of one of the wings.
Pelendralaar buffeted with new violence, now trying to throw off Athan. Somehow, the fighter held on. He gripped the wing with one hand while hacking at it with his sword in the other. Kestrel marveled at the feat of strength. Perhaps the gauntlets lent him magical aid-they and the spell Ghleanna had just uttered.
Durwyn