Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [93]
"In the meantime, I want to take another look at those treants," the ranger said. He gulped down his tea. "I'll be back by sunrise," he promised, and he trudged out of camp.
Alias sipped her tea slowly. When she finished, she strapped on her sword. Then she nudged the sleeping Zhara with the toe of her boot.
The priestess awoke with a tiny gasp. She sat up, immediately alert. "What's wrong?" she said.
Alias snorted. "I want to talk to you," she said.
*****
Akabar shook Grypht awake. The beast growled at him. "It's dawn," the Turmishman said. "We should be going before this place collapses."
Grypht didn't understand a word the mage had said, but the tone was clear.
Akabar was impatient to be on the road. The saurial wizard looked around them.
He'd forgotten they were in the extradimensional space he had created. They'd have to leave soon before it collapsed and they fell to the ground. Grypht already hurt all over his body, and he was anxious to avoid acquiring any extra bruises.
Akabar lowered the rope out of the space and climbed down to the ground. Grypht tossed down his staff and climbed down after it. He made a soft bellowing sound as he climbed.
Akabar pointed to the ground. "Look there. We've been followed," he said, indicating two sets of bootprints and another set of three-toed prints. "You know, these almost look like Dragonbait's prints," the Turmishman said.
Grypht sniffed the air. His head perked up and his eyes grew bright with surprise. Akabar could smell the lemony scent of the saurial.
"Shall we follow?" Akabar asked.
Grypht was already tracking Champion with his nose.
*****
Zhara stood face-to-face with Alias. From beside the fire, Dragonbait watched both women nervously. If Alias wouldn't pay attention to his signing, Zhara was his only hope of reconciling with the swordswoman. Now he prayed the priestess could calm Alias's anger enough for her to give him a chance to apologize.
"Assuming you're right and Moander is returning-which I still refuse to believe-I want to know why Akabar must be the one to destroy Moander," Alias demanded. "Why couldn't the gods have picked some powerful wizard-like Elminster or Khelben of Waterdeep or King Azoun's flunky, Vangerdahast."
"I do not know," Zhara answered calmly. "I presume because Akabar has fought Moander once already."
"I think it's because Akabar is the one you've got wrapped around your finger,"
Alias retorted. "If you could have wormed your way into a more powerful mage's heart, you'd have chosen him to fight Moander. If you really loved Akabar, you'd keep him as far away as possible from Moander. Don't you know what Moander did to Akabar before? How it used him?"
"I know," Zhara whispered. "But if Akabar does not destroy Moander, then Moander will destroy him."
"What do you mean?" Alias snapped.
"Moander wants revenge on Akabar. Tymora warned me that the Darkbringer's minions are searching everywhere for my husband. Our family decided that Akabar should flee to the north. My co-wives sent me with him so he couldn't be scried upon. I possess the same misdirection shield as you do," Zhara explained.
"Then you're safe. There's no need to go looking for Moander," Alias argued.
"We cannot stay in hiding all our lives," Zhara retorted. In a softer voice, she added, "I know that you have good reason to be afraid of Moander, but you cannot run from your fears."
"Can't I? You just watch me," Alias said. "As soon as we find Grypht, and I get the finder's stone, I'm leaving. I was stupid enough to get drawn in by Moander's siren call once, but I'm not going to let it capture me again. I'm going to go find Nameless and stay with him as far away from Moander as I can get."
"Akabar needs your help. Don't you care about him anymore?"
"Why should I?" Alias growled. "He obviously doesn't care about me."
"Don't be ridiculous. He cares about you very much," Zhara persisted.
"If Akabar cared about me,