Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [151]
"No," a voice said, a voice that sounded like Akabar but couldn't have been, for the mage's lips never moved. Finder watched with surprise as a white mist slid from Akabar's body and drifted over toward him.
"No!" Moander's mouths shouted.
The mist coalesced into a translucent form shaped like Akabar.
"Akabar, is that you?" Finder asked the misty figure.
"This is my spirit and soul," a voice from the mist said. "Moander holds my body and mind in thrall, but it cannot tether this part of my being. Finder, I cannot allow you to bargain for my life. I will soon be finished with living. I am prepared to dwell now in another plane."
"But Alias wants me to bring you back," Finder objected.
"Yes," the mage's spirit form replied with a smile. "Alias was always very demanding. Finder, I have abided by this monster's side only long enough for your arrival. In my dreams, the gods of light told me that I was to instruct you. Now, at last, I know what it is I must teach you. First, understand this," the spirit form said, using the formal tone of a Southern scholar. "This body behind me is Moander's true body. If it is destroyed, Moander's essence will be destroyed forever, completely, in every incarnation in every world."
"Akabar," Finder said, "I know that already. I don't care about it. I only came here to get you."
"Now know this," Akabar's spirit continued. "You have the power to destroy Moander's true body. You were right-its true body is weak now. Cling fast to the seed of power, Finder Wyvernspur, for with it in your possession and your dagger of cold, you can destroy this god."
"Destroy me! Destroy the mage! Destroy yourself!" the voices of Moander sang, but their tone held a hint of panic.
"You may indeed die in the attempt," the spirit said to Finder.
"I didn't come here to kill Moander," Finder protested. "I came to bring you back. Moander, release Akabar's body and mind, and I will leave here without injuring you."
"Promise?" the mouths of Moander asked eagerly.
"No!" Akabar's spirit cried angrily. "Finder," he said hastily, "I realize this is not the fate you had in mind for yourself, but if you do not destroy Moander now, you will be throwing away the only opportunity creation has ever had to rid itself of this monster. Finally learn this," the mage's spirit said, concluding his instruction, "This is how an unselfish man dies."
Akabar's spirit form raised his arms as high as he could and called out in Turmish to the gods of light he venerated. Finder recognized many of the gods' names, though most of what Akabar's spirit said was not clear to him. The spirit's last words were a Turmish prayer that the bard did recognize.
"Gods of my heart, claim your faithful servant," Akabar's spirit cried, and a white light, as bright as the desert sun, encased the mage's spirit form. The light glowed so brightly that Finder had to turn his back and close his eyes.
Moander's mouths shrieked with fear and rage as the god's eyes were blinded and it sensed it was being robbed of its hostage.
The light vanished, and with it took Akabar's spirit and soul. Akabar's body crumbled to dust.
Finder shook with awe. There was no way he could ignore Akabar's sacrifice and turn around and go home. Only a fool would accept all the luck that Tymora had thrown in his path these past two days and give nothing in return. In one hand, the bard clenched the seed, created from Akabar's blood and Moander's power, and in the other, his dagger, tipped with para-elemental ice. He flew up above the body of the god.
"Destroy me! Destroy yourself!" Moander's mouths shrieked hysterically.
"Only my body, Moander,"