Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [121]
"I can take you to Elminster's tower," Finder said, "but I can't wait for you.
If Morala discovers I've returned, she may insist I be returned to prison. I refuse to risk leaving my daughter to face Moander without me."
Breck nodded in agreement. Finder was right-Morala could be aggravatingly stubborn. She might refuse to recognize their need for Finder's help.
"If you can't find mages to teleport you back here to this place by tomorrow noon," Finder said, "I'll return for your forces then."
"He should take Zhara with him," Akabar said. "If she is with him in Shadowdale, Moander won't be able to detect them as they raise the forces we need to combat its minions."
Zhara frowned. "I don't want to be parted from you, husband," she said.
"It's only for a day," Akabar replied.
For a moment, Zhara looked as if she might argue further, but instead she said to Alias, "You will look out for my Akabar?"
"He'll be fine" Alias said, surprised that Zhara would entrust the mage to her care.
"That is not what I asked," the priestess said.
The swordswoman stole a glance at Akabar; he looked embarrassed by Zhara's request.
Zhara stepped closer to Alias and whispered to her, "Please. It is not true, what you said, that he does not care for you. He once destroyed Moander to save you. I know you care for him as well."
Alias sighed. She didn't approve of the way Akabar shared his love with so many women, and she couldn't believe his marriage to Zhara had nothing to do with Zhara's resemblance to herself, but she couldn't deny the priestess's words.
Akabar had risked his life to save her because they were friends, and she still cared deeply for him.
"Yes… I'll look out for him," she promised. She could see Dra-gonbait looking at her expectantly. He didn't need to speak or even sign for her to know what was on his mind.
"I'm sorry I hit you and for the things I said," the swords-woman apologized to Zhara. "I guess you aren't so bad, as priestesses go."
A smile flickered across Zhara's face. "And you aren't so bad for a northern barbarian who smells of wet wool," she said.
Alias laughed. She held out her arms wrists upward.
Zhara laid her own arms over Alias's, and they both clasped their hands over the other's forearm in an adventurer's embrace. The magical brand on Alias's arm tingled, just as it did when Dragonbait touched it, and Alias realized Zhara must feel the same sensation from the brand Phalse had put on her.
"Till next season, sister," Alias whispered.
"Tymora's luck be yours," Zhara replied.
Akabar moved to his wife's side, and Alias stepped back. She looked away as Akabar embraced Zhara and kissed her.
"If Breck and Zhara are to return here by tomorrow, they have to leave before then," Finder noted wryly.
Akabar nodded and stepped away from his wife. Zhara took Finder's and Breck's hands and the bard sang out a note.
Less than a minute after the three disappeared, Finder reappeared alone. "Lhaeo said Elminster hasn't returned yet," the bard reported.
"Morala said the sage was all right when she scried for him. Could Moander really prevent him from returning home?" Alias asked.
"The Darkbringer's power is very great in our world," Grypht said, "but it couldn't prevent me from leaving."
"Perhaps it could have stopped you but chose not to," Alias suggested. "Then when Elminster arrived on your world, Moander decided it couldn't chance allowing the sage to return and interfere with its plans. It knows we could use Elminster's help."
"We could use some food, too," Olive piped up.
"She's right," Dragonbait said. "There's not much left in our supplies. I'll see what I can scavenge."
"Not alone," Alias insisted, "take Olive with you."
Dragonbait nodded and signed for Olive to follow. The paladin and the halfling slipped out of the cave and down the mountainside.
From the pocket of his robe, Grypht pulled out a long thin silver box and slid open the top. Inside was a wand made of bone "This is a wand of frost. It's seen a lot of use these past few months, so there isn't much power left in it, but I want Akabar