Spellfire - Ed Greenwood [41]
The dracolich grew moody and lonely as kingdoms fell and seas changed and only it endured. lb live forever was a curse. A lonely curse.
Shandril could not look away from those lonely eyes.
"So young," said the deep voice, and abruptly the bony neck arched up and the eyes closed and she was alone, shI’vering.
"Well met, Great One," Symgharyl Maruel said.
"By your leave, I would question this one before I leave her with you."
"GI’ven, Shadowsil," Rauglothgor replied. "Though she knows little of anything, yet, I deem. She has the eyes of a kitten that has just learned to walk."
"Aye, Elder Wyrm," said the Shadowsil, "and yet she may have seen much in the few days just past, or even be more than she seems." The lady in purple strode around to stand before Shandril. At a gesture, the rope slithered slowly from Shandril and left her free. Shandril gathered herself to flee, but Symgharyl Maruel merely smiled down at her in cold amusement and shook her head.
"Tell me your name," she commanded. Shandril obeyed without thinking.
"Your parents?" the mage pressed.
"I know not," Shandril replied truthfully.
"Where did you dwell when younger?" The Shadowsil continued quickly.
"In Deepingdale, at The Rising Moon."
"How came you to the place where I found you?"
"I… I stepped through a door of light that glowed in the air."
"Where was that door?" the mage continued, a note of triumph in her voice.
"I… I don't know. In a dark place-there was a gargoyle."
"How came you there?"
"B-by magic, I believe. There was a word, on a bone, and I said it… "
"Where is the bone now?"
"In a pool, I think-in that ruined city. Please, lady, was that Myth Drannor?"
The dracolich chuckled harshly. The Shadowsil stood silently, eyes burning into Shandril’s. "Tell me your brother's name!" she demanded abruptly.
Shandril shook her head, confused. "I-I don't have a brother."
"Who was your tutor?" The Shadowsil snapped at her.
"Tutor? I’ve never had-Gorstag taught me my duties at the inn, and Korvan about cooking, and-"
"What part of the gardens did the windows of your chamber look upon?"
Shandril flinched. "Chambers, lady? I-I have no chambers. I sleep-slept-in the loft with Lureene most nights…"
"Tell the truth, brat!" the mage in purple screamed, her face contorted in rage, eyes gleaming. Shandril stared at her helplessly and burst into tears.
The deep chuckle behind the mage cut through both angry threats and sobs. "She speaks truth, Shadowsil.
My art never lies to me." Shandril looked up, startled.
Symgharyl Maruel dropped her rage like a mask and regarded the disheveled, tearful Shandril calmly. "So she is not the missing Cormyrean princess, Alusair," she said aloud. "Why then is she such a sheltered innocent? She is not simple, I believe."
The dracolich chuckled again. "Humans never are, I have found. Ask on; she interests me."
The Shadowsil nodded as she moved forward to confront Shandril. Her dark eyes caught and held those of the young thief; Shandril prayed silently to all the gods who might be listening that she be free of this place and these two horrible beings of power.
Symgharyl Maruel regarded her almost sympathetically for a time and then asked, "Were you a member of the Company of the Bright Spear?"
Shandril lifted her head proudly and said, "I am."
" 'Am?" The Shadowsil laughed shortly. Shandril stared at her with mounting fear. She had secretly hoped that Rymel, Burlane, and the others had somehow escaped the great dragon. She covered her face at the memory of the vicious attack, but she knew the truth now. The mage's cold laughter forbade her to deny it any longer. Tears came.
"You were taken by the cult and imprisoned in Oversember. How did you escape?" The Shadowsil pressed.
"I-I…" Shandril's face twisted in fear and grief, and mounting anger. Who was this cruel sorceress, anyway, to drag her here and bind and question her thus?
The dracolich's deep, hissing laughter rolled around Shandril again.