Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [93]
Kestrel and the others hesitated, still trying to absorb all they’d heard. Kestrel felt she ought to be angry with the Protector for his betrayal, for setting in motion the events it now fell to her and her companions to stop. Yet, as she looked at the baelnorn’s shriveled form, his face wracked with shame, she felt only pity.
“Make haste,” Anorrweyn urged. “The cult cannot be allowed to poison the Mythal any further. I will return to the Speculum. When the sapphire is destroyed, I shall use the emerald to turn the Mythal’s power against our enemies. Then you can seize the Gauntlets of Moander from Mordrayn to destroy the pool.”
As they filed into the passage one by one, Kestrel stole a last glimpse at Miroden Silverblade. The elf lord who had for centuries defended the Sapphire of the Weave with strength and wisdom-who had willingly sacrificed his own life to protect the Mythal-once again huddled on the floor. Anorrweyn knelt beside him, drew his head into her lap and gently rocked the tortured spirit.
Kestrel felt she was observing grief too intense and private for an audience. She turned and entered the passage, leaving the ghosts to mourn in solitude. She and the others had no more time to dwell on the past.
Not if they were going to save the future.
BOOK THREE
The Arcane Cabal
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“You can admit it any time now.”
Corran’s jocular tone took Kestrel by surprise. She frowned at the paladin as they stepped over the bodies of yet another soulless drow band. The winding passage beneath Castle Cormanthor was simply too tight to move the enthralled Kilsek aside after defeating them. “Admit what?”
“We were right to trust Nathlilik,” the paladin said, muting his voice in case other patrols lurked nearby. “That Staff of Sunlight has proven invaluable.”
She glanced at the sacred weapon in Jarial’s grip. They’d encountered so many cult patrols since leaving the baelnorn that without the staff they would have exhausted themselves getting this far. “We would have found it anyway,” she said with a shrug. “As for Nathlilik, if she had done what she promised and released all her kin into true death, we wouldn’t even need the staff. She probably gave up and skipped town.”
“Or got caught.”
Kestrel followed Corran’s gaze. Ahead, the corridor widened into a long, narrow chamber lined with prison cells carved into the rock like small caves. The pens, separated from each other by about six feet, stretched as far up the passage as Kestrel could see. In the closest cell, Nathlilik herself paced like a caged panther.
The drow leader stopped abruptly when she saw them approach. “We meet again, humans.” She grinned mockingly, gesturing at her cell with a sweep of her hand. “Welcome to my new abode. Can I offer you tea? A glass of wine?”
Kestrel ignored her sarcasm. “What happened?”
“What do you think?” Nathlilik snapped. “The cult captured us. Killed all my men one at a time and fed their blood to the dracolich as an appetizer. I’m the main course-at least I was until you came along. What are you standing around for? Let me out.”
Nathlilik’s attitude made Kestrel’s hackles rise. “I don’t think I like your tone.”
The dark elf barked a harsh laugh. “Don’t expect me to beg, human. Not to you.” She strutted to the corner and plunked down on the floor. “The cult has taken my life-mate. They’ve taken my men, and they’ve taken my weapons, but I’ll hold my pride until the last drop of blood leaves my body.”
Kestrel shrugged. “You do that.” She walked past the cell, fighting the urge to turn around to see whether the rest of the group followed. If someone else wanted to free the arrogant drow witch, let them try to get past that lock. She knew exactly which tool it would require.
She heard Corran’s footsteps behind her. “Kestrel…” he murmured.
“Corran, we haven’t the time, and I haven’t the inclination.” She continued marching away.
“Wait!” Nathlilik cried.
Kestrel turned. To her amazement, the whole party had followed her lead. Nathlilik had watched all six of them