Spellfire - Ed Greenwood [63]
Elminster said with a smile. "It would be simpler if life were like that, each one knowing if he were good or evil, and what each should do and could expect to achieve before his part in the Great Play ends. But think on how boring it would be to the gods-everyone a known force, events and deeds preordained or at the least easily predictable-and so things are not so.
"We are here to amuse and entertain the gods, who walk among us. They watch and enjoy and sometimes even thrust a hand or quiet words into daily life, just to see the result. From this comes miracles, disasters, religious strife, and much else we could do without."
Narm met his eyes for the space of a breath and then nodded soberly. "You do think and care, then. I had feared you swaggered about serenely blasting with your art all who opposed you."
"That's just what he does do." Torm's voice broke in as he approached, arms full of gold. "Wizards!
Wherever one sees battle in this world, there's some fool of a dweomercraefter jabbering and waving his hands. Honest sword-swingers fall doomed-slain by a man who would be too craven to stand an instant against them, could they but reach him! Less art about would please me well! Then the brave and strong would rule, not sneaking old graybeards and reckless young fools who play for sport with the forces that gI’ve light and life to us all!"
"Aye" said Elminster with a smile. "But rule what?
A battlefield covered shoulder-deep with the rotting dead, the survivors dying of hunger and disease.
There would be none left to help the sick, or to harvest, or sow seeds. It is a grand king, indeed, who rules a graveyard." He drew on his pipe. "Besides, 'tis no good complaining about what is and cannot be changed. Art we have. Make the best of it."
"Oh, I intend to," Torm replied with a wolfish grin.
"Are you finished, Torm?" Jhessail asked sweetly.
"Or have you something else upon your tongue that needs spewing forth?"
"Yes," replied the thief, irrepressibly. "Look you, old-"
"Enough talk!" Florin snapped from behind them.
"Heads around, all! A dragon comes!"
"They sssee usss, little one!" the great voice boomed back at her. "Why ssso amazed?"
From the dracolich's back, Symgharyl Maruel gazed upon the blasted mountaintop in shock. The keep! she thought wildly at Aghazstamn. Gone! The whole peak has been shattered and thrown down! We must turn away! We cannot face power enough to do that!
She shook her head in disbelief, but the vast crater below remained, as the dracolich wheeled about it.
"Flee? Nay!" its voice roared at her, and the great neck arched around, nearly tumbling the Shadowsil off. She clung to the bony fin before her grimly and shouted aloud, "But the entire top of the mountain is gone! We cannot prevail against-"
"Ssseee to your wandsss, little coward! I fly free, to fight and ssslay after all these yearsss! And you want me to turn tail and abandon the gold and thisss challenge? Think again, weaver of weak art!"
Aghazstamn roared and wheeled wide, climbing so as to turn and dI’ve.
As the wind ripped around her ears, Maruel drew forth a wand and held it firmly across her breast.
Peering down, she could see one in armor, an elf, and others below. There was no sign of Rauglothgor.
Perhaps the old terror had destroyed himself somehow and wrought all this devastation. This handful of dare-alls looked incapable of such destruction.
Well, what did it matter? Slay, and wonder later.
Aghazstamn had already turned and was plummeting down, ever faster, the wind beginning to whistle past her ears. The Shadowsil bent low and narrowed her eyes to slits so as not to be blinded. Carefully she aimed at the hastily scattering warriors below, and said clearly, "Maerzae" And fire blossomed from the wand in a tiny ball that spun away, trailing sparks, to burst with a roar in orange-red flames below.
One man was hurled into the air, blazing, and fell among the rocks. Others were thrown too, but she could not see their fates. Already she was aiming again coolly at those below. Such battles were never as tales