Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [40]
Nottle appeared not to notice her sarcasm. “These cult folks, they’re the ones who killed yer friends the other day. They’re also the ones who drove the alhoon and phaerimm outta this part o’the city.”
“Their sorcerers are that powerful?”
“Their leader is-he’s a dracolich!”
A shudder raced up Kestrel’s spine. If an undead dragon was behind all these events, their quest was even more doomed than she’d previously imagined.
Durwyn scratched his head. “I thought Emmeric said the cult leader was an archmage. Some woman-Kya something.”
“Perhaps they’re working cooperatively,” Corran suggested. “Nottle, did you overhear anything else?”
“Somethin’ ’bout using some kinda pool t’make the dracolich stronger than he already is.”
Everyone but Nottle exchanged apprehensive glances. “Does the pool have a name?” Ghleanna asked.
Nottle shrugged. “Don’t know. They jus’ kept calling it ‘the pool.’ It was a little hard t’hear from where I was sittin’, ye know.”
Jarial cleared his throat. “Can we talk about this en route? Now that Nottle is free, we shouldn’t tarry.”
Corran nodded. “Jarial’s right. This news only increases the urgency of our mission.”
“Emmeric?” Durwyn asked.
“At rest.” Corran replied. “Let us finish what he and his companions started.”
Following a shortcut Nottle knew, they passed yet another ice-covered doorway on their way back to the Room of Words. “I sure wish we knew what those frozen rooms were about.” Durwyn said.
“Perhaps they’re related to the Rohnglyn,” Nottle said.
“The what?”
The peddler shrugged. “Accordin’ to rumor, some kinda magic transportation use t’connect all four levels of the dwarven dungeons. Rohnglyn, the elves called it. Years back, when the alhoon was still layin’ claim t’these halls, they all got in some big feud an’one o’the beasts put an ice charm on the Rohnglyn. Froze the thing right in place, or so I hear.”
“This device,” Corran asked, “it would enable us to move between levels more quickly?”
“Instantly. So they say, anyway.”
Corran pulled out his warhammer. “Care to help me make a few ice cubes, Durwyn?”
The two warriors smashed their way through the ice, revealing a room identical to the one they’d seen before-with one notable exception. The rune on the floor lay covered with ice stalagmites infused with colored lights. Elaborate icicles, many thick as tree trunks, hung from the ceiling, some of them fused to the lower ice formations in great columns of ice. As in the other room, a frozen golden sphere floated at about waist level in the center of the circular pattern.
Ghleanna tapped one of the ice formations with her staff. “Solid.”
“Can you free it from the alhoon’s spell?” Corran asked.
“We can try.” She raised a brow at Jarial. “What do you think? Should we attempt to dispel the magic or counter it?”
“The alhoon are powerful spellcasters. I don’t know if either of us has the experience to dispel such strong sorcery.” Jarial circled the rune, running his hands along some of the icicles. “It looks like the sphere could withstand a fireball, which would probably melt some of the ice…”
Ghleanna nodded pensively. “Perhaps if we all stood outside the chamber, a lightning bolt could break through the thicker ice formations.”
As the two discussed additional possibilities, Kestrel noticed Durwyn shifting impatiently. The warrior concentrated on the icicle nearest him, his fingers absently stroking the haft of his axe.
Corran joined in the mages’ discussion. “If you weaken the ice with your spells, I’m sure Durwyn and I could then-”
“Enough talk. We waste time!” Durwyn raised his battle-axe and swung at the closest icicle. The force of the blow sent a huge crack running along the ice from top to bottom. As it weakened, its center seemed to take on a bluish hue. Durwyn struck again, this time breaking through the formation. Embedded in the jagged layers of ice rested a thin blue shard that twinkled in the torchlight.
They all moved closer for a better look. “Well, I’ll be pickled,” Nottle said. “What do ye suppose that is?”
Jarial furrowed