Stardeep_ The Dungeons - Bruce R. Cordell [90]
So saying, he muttered liquid syllables that were like a cool, refreshing wind. When Raidon tried to recall the sounds a moment later, they were gone. The Edgewarden touched Adrik with fingers sparkling as if with Stardust, and some color returned to the sorcerer's features.
The dark-robed elf stripped away the tourniquet and helped Adrik to his feet. The sorcerer was blinking and gazing around at the beach and misty sea in bemusement. He asked, "How did we get here?"
The Edgewarden patted the sorcerer's arm and asked Kiril,
"And your other companion?"
Kiril pointed at Raidon. "This one carries a relic of our order-his mother was a star elf, though as far as I know she never came to Stardeep. How she got an Amulet of the Sign is a mystery. She passed it to her son."
The Edgewarden squinted at Raidon, then said, "Such telics are few and far between in these waning days of Sildeyuir. What was your mother's name?"
The monk said, "Answering that question is the quest that brought me here. I do not know her name, only that she came from this realm."
"I see," responded the Edgewatden, shaking his head. "I apologize, but these lands are under threat of collapse…"
Surprising himself, Raidon broke the rules of proper discourse to interrupt. "But I just found this land! How can I protect my mother? What must I do to safeguard Sildeyuir?"
The old elf raised a placating palm. "If you and Kiril succeed in penning the Traitot, if he's truly free, then Sildeyuir may stabilize enough for me to continue my attempt to rein-scribe its borders. If so, return and find me. I think I can help you find your mother. If not, nothing else will matter."
Uncertainty and hope strove in Raidon's chest. Aloud he said, "Then succeed we must. I will return to speak with you again, Edgewarden."
"In case you do not return, know this: I suspect your mother's name is Erunyauve."
Raidon asked, "What, do you know her?"
"Many gifts are mine, including divination. When I look at you, I hear that name. And why not-would you be here right now if not for the amulet she left you? It is a name that is not without history of its own, though time is too short to relay it. If… when you return, I shall lend you my expertise in locating her. If she is anywhere within the realm of greater Yuireshanyaar, I can find her."
Raidon breathed a sigh and bowed his head. Kiril broke in. "Edgewarden, please show us the path to Stardeep."
Ignoring the sorcerer, the Edgewarden said, "I shall, before another wave of nilshai descends. I sense them massing somewhere in this damnable flux."
So saying, he pointed up the grade they'd just descended. Raidon's eyes found a feature some twenty paces up the slope. What the monk had taken as just another boulder protruding from the sandy grit was revealed as something more: the rocky frame of a massive iron door. Had the Edgewarden dropped an illusion covering a doorway that had been there all along, or had he called the entrance into existence by mere desire?
Xet chimed and landed on top of the rocky frame holding the gate. The tiny construct slapped the door with its long tail. A dull gong tolled out across the misty expanse.
Kiril motioned Raidon forward. "Present your amulet to the doors. Angul would serve, but I prefer to keep him sheathed."
Raidon blinked, but he pulled forth the forget-me-not his mother-Erunyauve-had given him. He displayed it before the sealed doorway. Nothing happened. He stepped forward another pace and touched the amulet to the lackluster iron.
Blue light sparked from amulet to gate. Stones danced and skittered down the slope as the entire beach shuddered. With an ear-splitting groan, the iron door swung wide, opening onto a shadowed, dusty stone stair descending into unguessed depths.
They entered Stardeep by a route rarely taken.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Stardeep, Underdungeon
The tunnel split, and split again as the company plunged into the warren