Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [32]
Emmeric confirmed that the cultists who attacked his party stole the Ring of Calling. While one of the sorcerers interrogated him to learn the ring’s command word, a contingent was sent to the Room of Words to do its own research. “Our greatest failure,” he said, his shoulders sagging, ”was also losing the Gauntlets of Moander to the cult. From what I overheard before being isolated here, the cult’s leader-an archmage named Kya Mordrayn-now possesses the gauntlets.”
“Is she aware of their power?” Corran asked.
“Most certainly. Whoever these cultists are, they’re the force behind the new Pool of Radiance. Knowing that the gauntlets can destroy the pool, Mordrayn keeps them with her at all times, or so I understand.”
One of the skeletons in the cell clawed the wall, returning the group’s attention to their surroundings. “We shouldn’t tarry here,” Corran said.
“Where are you headed?” Emmeric asked.
“The Room of Words. We hope to get that Ring of Calling back,” Corran said. “Feel up to joining us?”
“I’ll lead the way.”
The party found the topmost level of the dungeon crawling with lizard men and orogs. Though Emmeric had warned them en route about the presence of the humanoids, even he was surprised by their numbers. The creatures of both races seemed focused on a single task: systematically looting every abandoned lair in sight.
“Tyr’s toenails,” Kestrel swore as they observed an orog band from a hidden alcove. The blasphemy earned her a withering look from Corran. Good. She’d meant to goad him. “I’ve never seen so many humanoids in one place.” The orogs looked like bigger, meaner-and unfortunately, more intelligent-orcs.
“I’m surprised the two races are operating as allies,” Jarial said.
Emmeric shook his head. “I don’t think they are. The orogs, I know, work as mercenaries for the cultists-a couple of them roughed me up to persuade me to talk, but I believe the lizard men were pillaging these caverns long before the cult showed up. They might resent the interlopers.”
“I don’t think they like each other at all,” Durwyn announced. “Look at the way the orogs keep glancing at that group of lizard men over there. And the lizards watch them right back. Then each side whispers among themselves. They’re like schoolchildren.”
The guard’s apt analogy surprised Kestrel. She hadn’t credited the big man with such perceptiveness.
“Perhaps we can use their enmity to our advantage,” Corran said. “They won’t notice us if they’re too busy fighting each other.”
A smile broke across Emmeric’s features. “I like the way you think. What do you have in mind?”
Corran turned to Jarial. “Was that an invisibility spell you used back there against the naga?” At the mage’s nod, he continued. “Can you cast that on any of us, or just yourself?”
“Any creature close enough for me to touch.”
“Excellent.” The paladin addressed the group. “Here’s my plan. Jarial can use his invisibility spell on me. I’ll move among the orogs and lizard men, getting close enough that if I speak they will hear me, but staying far enough away to make them think my voice is coming from a rival band. Then I’ll utter a few insults to make the two groups turn on each other.”
It sounded like a good scheme to Kestrel-it involved no risk on her part, and if it failed, she could spend the rest of this mission reminding Corran that it had been his idea. In moments, an invisible Corran was sneaking toward the nearest group of lizard men to put his plan into action.
“Look, Ugdag! Look at lizard slime.” Though Kestrel easily recognized the voice as Corran’s, he’d dropped it an octave lower than his natural timbre and covered his blue-blood accent with a guttural rumble. The disguise proved convincing enough to fool the lizard men. Several of the scaly green beasts snapped their heads toward the orogs, webbed hands gripping the hafts of their spears more tightly. Unable to hear Corran’s slurs, the orogs continued about their business.
“Lizards weak,” Corran went on. “Hai!