Spellfire - Ed Greenwood [131]
The chairs of Sashen, Kadorr, and Ilthond had been removed; so had Fzoul's own, for he now sat in Manshoon's high, curving black seat. Marsh wondered what had happened to the others, but decided it would be safer not to inquire. He liked The Black Altar very little, with its priests and traps and guardian creatures, and liked this chamber, with its air of a prepared trap, even less. The last seat indeed!
"We are all here, now, save for our many-eyed friends and the High Lord Manshoon, "said the red-haired high priest. "I will waste no time on pleasantries. Manshoon is yet absent from his tower and the city. Our best scrying spells cannot find him, nor can we contact him by other means. He can, of course, block or lead astray most magics, but we have no reason to believe he has done so. I fear, fellow lords, that Manshoon is dead.
"This may not be so, but too long we have waited for his return. We must act on one matter without further delay. If Manshoon likes our actions not upon his return, I shall bear the responsibility.
"The matter I refer to is that of spellfire, and the legendary and very rare power of wielding it. You all know, I think, what it is. Its precise limitations have never been determined, but you know what its presence means. I wish to know your minds on this matter." For a moment, no one spoke. Then Sememmon leaned forward.
"The last being who could wield spellfire that I know of previous to this Shandril was the incantatrix Oammasae, who dwelt in her youth in Thunderstone.
Is it mere coincidence that two bearers of spellfire have been reared in the southern Dragonreach near the Thunder Peaks, or are they related by blood?"
Fzoul leaned forward in his seat in interest. "A most intriguing question! Does anyone have any knowledge on this matter?"
Sarhthor shrugged. "They could be mother and daughter. The years allow of it. But, with respect, what does it matter? Dammasae is long dead, as is her husband. This gI’ves us no hilt with which to wield Shandril."
"Aye," Casildar agreed. "Her lover, Narm, is our means to move Shandril to our bidding. What I would know is the strength of his art. How easy a hilt to grasp is he?"
Sememmon shrugged. "He has been in Shadowdale, now, days enough for Elminster to teach him much.
Whether that has occurred, I cannot say. I doubt that this art is terrifying whatever Elminster has done.
Marimmar the Mage Most Magnificent was his tutor until recently."
There were dry chuckles from the mages at the table.
The priest Zhessae frowned and asked, "Is ability or mastery of art a necessity to wield spellfire?"
There were shrugs. Fzoul spoke. "We do not know. I would tend to think not. This maid had no known skill or use of art before using spellfire openly against the dracolich Rauglothgor. Interestingly, the keep above the lair she destroyed was the Tower Tranquil-once the home of the sorcerer Gartliond, husband of the incantatrix Dammasae."
"Does that mean," the mage Yarkul asked, excited,
"spellfire may be contained in an item, or process, that was left in the tower by Dammasae? Which, in turn, argues that other wielders of spellfire could be created!"
"There have been several wielders of spellfire active at the same time before. It is not an ability the gods give to only one being at a time. An item or ritual is quite possible. Against that, one must place the strong likelihood that Dammasae never visited the Tower Tranquil," Fzoul said, and sat back again. The Zhentarim looked at one another around the table.
"That still," Casildar said carefully, "leaves open the question of what actions, if any, we should now take."
"We must gain control over the maid, or destroy her.
Her spellfire threatens us all," Ashemmi said. The curly-bearded mage's dangling earring chimed as he turned his head sharply to look at Fzoul. "We cannot afford to sit idle. What if Mulmaster or Maalthiir of Hillsfar gains the power to wield spellfire? Even