Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [86]
“We did, priestess,” Corran said. “But he could not help us.”
Anorrweyn’s eyes widened. She sat forward as if she hadn’t entirely heard him. “Miroden Silverblade refused to aid your quest?”
“The Gem of the Weave is no more. The Baelnorn destroyed it to keep the cult from seizing its power.”
“Impossible!” Anorrweyn shook her head vigorously, as if doing so could negate the truth of the statement. She rose and paced restlessly. “You are sure you understood him correctly?” She cast her gaze from one person to the next, but all gave affirmative nods.
“The Protector said he cannot commune with the Mythal because the sapphire no longer exists,” Corran explained. “We found him imprisoned by the cult, who tried to steal it when they captured him.”
Anorrweyn sat down once more. She seemed lost in thought as she stared though the doorway of the temple at the ruined city beyond. Several minutes passed in uncomfortable silence as the ghost remained in reverie and the mortals hesitated to disturb her. Faeril waited in rapt attention. Durwyn traced the handle of his axe with his thumb. Ghleanna picked lint off her cloak. When Kestrel turned her gaze to Corran, she was startled to find him regarding her. Surely her didn’t expect her to do something? She frowned in question, but he looked away.
Were the others as conscious as she of time ticking away? Ultimately, it was the paladin who took the plunge. “Priestess…” Corran began tentatively.
Anorrweyn broke her trance. “My apologies. I hoped to sense confirmation of your news through my own, limited, attunement to the Mythal, but I cannot. These tidings deeply unsettle me. Either Miroden is mistaken about the fate of the sapphire, or he lied to you. I can think of no other explanation. The Protector’s very existence is linked inextricably to the Gem of the Weave-that is what it means to be a baelnorn. If the sapphire was indeed destroyed, he would have died along with it.” She frowned in puzzlement. “Did he say anything else?”
“He told us that a new Gem of the Weave could be made, with a new stone and a new communicant. The replacement gem could be used to reverse the Mythal’s corruption and free it from the cult’s hold.”
Anorrweyn’s brows rose at the suggestion. Guarded interest danced across her delicate features. “This replacement gem-how is it to be created? Where are you to locate an appropriate jewel?”
“Harldain provided us with a new stone.” Corran brought the emerald forward for Anorrweyn to see. Its color was a near-perfect match to the shade of her gown.
She reached toward the gem, caressing the air just a hair’s breadth away above its surface. “An emerald this time…” The jewel caught a ray of afternoon sunlight and held it, appearing to glow from within. Anorrweyn raised her eyes and met Corran’s gaze once more. “And the new communicant?”
“The Protector thought that you might be persuaded.”
Her eyes widened. “Me? I-” She fell silent again, apparently pondering the unexpected proposal. She glanced around the ruined shell of her temple, her gaze lingering on each small sign of destruction-the missing ceiling, wall cracks, rubble piles, vestiges of the nagas’ occupation. Her face settled into an expression of sadness so intense it pained Kestrel to behold it.
“There is nothing left here for me,” she said finally. “Of course I shall answer this new call to Mystra’s service.” She rose, her incorporeal form already starting to fade from view, “Since you have the gem, all that remains is to carry it to the top of the Speculum. There shall we attune the emerald. Pass through the Gate of Antarn to begin your climb up the dragon’s back. I give you now my blessing, that the gate will open to admit you.”
Anorrweyn closed her eyes and raised her hands over the party. In a low, soft voice she murmured the words of her invocation. Kestrel and the others bowed their heads to receive her blessing. Faeril dropped to her knees.
When the priestess finished, she lowered her arms and opened her eyes once more. “Farewell for now, my friends.