Spellfire - Ed Greenwood [172]
"Later I returned to Myth Drannor and saw Shandril from afar. She was the captive of a cruel mage, The Shadowsil, and I tried to free her. I called on the knights for aid, and we ended up in caverns where a dracolich laired. Shandril and I were trapped together when the cavern collapsed during a mighty battle of art. We thought we'd never get out, so…"
Narm paused, studying the mule before him, and then sighed and turned to face Gorstag. "We came to care for each other. I love her. So I asked her to marry me."
To Narm’s surprise, Gorstag nodded and chuckled.
"Aye. It is the same for me." He made a clucking noise, and the stable boy reappeared immediately.
Gorstag nodded. "See to them all… the very best, mind, as if a fine lord and lady rode them." He waved to Narm to follow him out, and then turned back to the boy and added, "Because they do."
As they went back around the side of the inn in the moonlit, misty night, Gorstag said, "My house is open to you both, but you seem in much haste. How long can you stay?"
Narm hesitated. "We must leave on the morrow, sir," he said quietly. "Many have tried to slay us-slay Shandril, actually-these past days, and they will no doubt try again. We dare not tarry.
Elminster told us to be sure to call on you, and Shandril insisted too, but there is danger to us here, waiting, and we would not bring it upon you."
"Can you say more?" Gorstag asked. "I will not stay you, and Elminster is a name I set great store by, but I would rest easier, Narm-and call me Gorstag, mark you!-to know where and why the little girl I raised these years passing is riding, and who would do her ill, and why."
"I have not the right to answer you, Gorstag," Narm replied. "Only my lady should speak on this. I can say that those who pursue us are of different causes, but all, it seems, are powerful in art. Therein lies your peril and Shandril's secret."
They went inside the inn, only to find Lureene regarding them with a finger to her lips, as she knelt beside a chair before the fire. Narm raced forward at the sight. Behind him, Gorstag smiled.
"She sleeps," Lureene said softly as Narm bent anxiously near. Shandril moved her head and murmured something.
They all came close to listen.
"Narm," she said. "Narm, we're here. We're home.
Wait here… wake Gorstag… come carefully, ready for war…"
Narm kissed her cheek, and in her sleep she raised a hand slowly to pat at his head, smiling. Then, suddenly, she was upset. "She went for you,"
Shandril cried faintly. "She went for you, and there was not time! I had to burn her!"
"Shan! Shan!" Narm said urgently, shaking her awake. "It's all right… we're safe."
"Yes, safe," Shandril said, awake now, looking up at him. "Safe at last." She kissed his hand on her shoulder.
Then her eyes moved to Gorstag, who stood looking gravely down at her. "I am sorry," she said slowly. "I did not wish to be such a trial to you. I should have told you where I'd gone. I was a fool."
"We all play at fools," Gorstag said with a smile.
"You are back safely, and nothing else matters now."
Shandril thanked him with her eyes and said, "We cannot stay, I fear. We are fleeing from far too many to vanquish or avoid if we stand and stay. We must ride on in the morning."
"So Narm said," Gorstag replied. "And he said it was for you to tell us why. Will you, lass?" Shandril nodded.
"Have you ever heard of spellfire?" she asked.
Gorstag nodded, sadly. "Your mother had it," he said softly. "Oh, lass. Oh, Shandril. Beware the cult."
"Beware the cult, indeed" Narm said ruefully. "We have fought them half a dozen times or more already, if you mean the Cult of the Dragon."
"Aye," Gorstag said, "I do." But he said no more, for Shandril was gaping at him, flame flickering in her eyes.
She calmed herself and asked quietly, "Please, Gorstag, who were my parents?"
"The sage did not tell you?" Gorstag asked, gaping at her in his turn. "Why, your mother was