Storm of the Dead - Lisa Smedman [106]
The priestesses and wizards crowded behind her, curiosity overcoming their apprehension. "What is that?" Tash'kla breathed. "A golem?"
"There's a rune on its chest," Gilkriz said. "A duergar rune. It's faded, but I can still make it out: 'Orcus.'"
Leliana immediately sang a prayer. Behind her, she heard the other priestesses do the same.
"That means something to you?" the conjurer asked.
Leliana nodded. "Orcus is a demon. Prince of the dead. Kiaransalee killed him."
Q'arlynd squatted beside her. "You said he 'is' a demon. Did he rise from the dead?"
"Yes, despite Kiaransalee's best efforts. She not only killed him but conquered his realm-that layer of the Abyss known as Thanatos. Her priestesses marked the victory by naming her chief temple after it. But the demon lord eventually returned to reclaim his realm."
"Did the duergar of these parts worship Orcus?" Gilkriz asked.
"The ones who dug this mine obviously did," Leliana answered. "It's odd, though, that this shrine remains intact. Kiaransalee's followers made it their mission to eradicate all vestiges of the demon prince. Legend has it the goddess worked magic that erased Orcus's name, wherever and however it had been written."
"And yet this rune remains," Gilkriz said. "Maybe we should close the door," Eldrinn blurted.
Q'arlynd stared at the room's far wall. "I'm wondering where those corridors go, myself. I don't know if any of you has noticed, but they're not glowing. The Faerzress ends at the wall on each side of those arches. I think they're portals."
"Go ahead and try one, then," Gilkriz suggested, his voice silky. "We've got diviners to spare."
Q'arlynd bristled. His fingers twitched.
"Enough," Leliana reprimanded. "I've made my decision: we're going to seal this room and take our chances with the putrid ooze. As Gilkriz pointed out earlier, we were almost at the Crone's cavern when-"
"Madam," Daffir said, his soft voice interrupting her. "Please stand aside."
Leliana turned. "What is it, Daffir? Do you see something?"
"Yes. My destiny."
He moved closer to the door and peered inside. His head tilted, as if he were glancing at something the others couldn't see. Then he nodded. He straightened and handed his staff to Eldrinn, startling the boy, then ducked down low and entered the room.
"Stop!" Leliana cried. She grabbed for his robe, but missed. "We need you. You're the only one who…"
Daffir crossed the room with swift, purposeful strides.
"Protectors," Leliana barked. "Stand ready."
The priestesses lifted their swords and touched holy symbols.
Without so much as a backward glance, Daffir entered the corridor to the left of the statue and vanished.
Several moments passed.
Gilkriz broke the silence with a snort. "Diviners," he muttered. He waggled his fingers beside his temple. Crazy.
Leliana expected a retort from Eldrinn or Q'arlynd, but the pair had drawn apart from the others. She could see Q'arlynd's arms moving-he was saying something to the younger wizard in rapid, silent gestures-but his back was to her and she couldn't see his hands. The boy's eyes widened. Then he nodded. He clutched the staff with both hands and drew it to his chest protectively.
Leliana caught Gilkriz's eye. "Seal that door," she ordered. She was just about to find out what Q'arlynd and Eldrinn were up to when Qiluй's voice sang out in her head.
Leliana, I have news. Kвras has penetrated the Acropolis. He's discovered what the Crones are up to.
Gilkriz was casting the spell that sealed the door, his chanting a distraction. Leliana clapped her hands against her ears to block it out. She listened