Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [59]
Over a meal of roasted rabbit and hearty bread, Corran, Kestrel, and the others related their exploits in the dwarven undercity, ending with their ascent to the surface and their encounter at the shrine. “When the pool evaporated, a ghostly image of the intact temple appeared,” Corran concluded.
Faeril gasped, her thick slice of bread dropping to her plate. “By Our Lady, you have seen Anorrweyn’s shrine!” Her eyes shone with reverence.
“The shrine is one of several ghost buildings in Myth Drannor,” Beriand said. “The wars destroyed many structures, but some were so sacred to the elves that they refuse to disappear completely. From time to time, under certain conditions, these buildings reappear intact. When you defeated the naga and destroyed the spawn pool, you must have triggered the temple’s appearance.” He paused to sip from his goblet. “Did you ever see the crying woman you spoke of?”
“Just heard her,” Kestrel said, nibbling the last few shreds of meat off a bone. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she’d started to eat. “ ‘Where are the followers of Mystra?’ That’s all she said-over and over.”
“How blessed you are-to have heard her voice!” Faeril exclaimed. She rose to pour more wine, beginning first with Durwyn’s goblet and ending with Beriand’s. Kestrel noted that she did not lift Beriand’s cup to pour, as she had with the others, but brought the bottle to the sightless cleric’s goblet.
“That was Anorrweyn Evensong, the founder of our sect,” Beriand said. “When evil magic destroyed the temple during the fall of Myth Drannor, its head priestess also perished. So strong was her devotion to Mystra that her spirit remained on this earth to continue her work. Whenever the ghost shrine appeared, so did she.” Beriand reached for his wine, his practiced hand going straight to the goblet. “For centuries after the temple’s physical destruction, followers of Mystra would visit the site and use talismans to invoke the apparition and speak to Anorrweyn. But in the past two hundred years or so, Myth Drannor has become so dangerous that pilgrims stopped coming. I doubt anyone has invoked the shrine in over a century.”
Durwyn frowned thoughtfully as he chewed his food. Finally, he spoke. “If the priestess shows up whenever the temple does, why couldn’t we see her?”
“I suspect because there was no follower of Mystra among you.”
“Anorrweyn’s cry must be answered!” Faeril said. She pushed aside her wooden plate, her supper forgotten in her zeal. “Let me return with you and prove to the high priestess that Mystra still has followers in Myth Drannor. We cannot leave her spirit to think that the city has fallen entirely to the nagas who debased her sacred shrine.”
Kestrel could tell by the expression on Corran’s face that the paladin was about to take Faeril up on her offer. She shifted uncomfortably, pushing aside her own plate and drawing her knees up in front of her body. She had a feeling she was about to be labeled selfish again, but someone had to keep this mission on track. “Not that I don’t feel sorry for your priestess and all,” she began, trying to use more tact than she had previously, “but we have more pressing matters.”
Corran turned toward her, his brows drawn in displeasure. Before he could speak, however, Faeril addressed her. “Anorrweyn can help your cause, Kestrel. I know she will!”
Beriand nodded his agreement. “Anorrweyn Evensong would prove a powerful ally against those trying to[3] use the Mythal for their own wicked ends. In life she was dedicated to the causes of unity and peace, and was among the city leaders most in tune with the Mythal. She may know of ways to cleanse it that we do not.”
“In that case, we’d be honored to have you join us,” Corran said to Faeril. Kestrel bristled. She’d been about to concede the point herself, but once again Corran had spoken for the whole party without consulting anyone. She began to feel less contrite about her earlier remark.
The others were apparently tolerant of the paladin’s high-handedness. Ghleanna, in fact, extended