Storm of the Dead - Lisa Smedman [36]
Cavatina stared down at him, her eyes blazing. How dare he? She'd see about this. "Qiluй," she said firmly.
A moment later the high priestess answered, mind to mind. Yes, Cavatina?
A male has entered the Cavern of Song, Cavatina thought back at her. The Nightshadow Kвras. He-
I sent him to find you, Qiluй answered before Cavatina could finish. He has a wealth of knowledge of Kiaransalee's cult. Listen to what he has to offer; you will need it.
Cavatina's jaw clenched. Back in the forest, after Kвras had disappeared into the night, she'd chafed at missing an opportunity to hear more about Maerimydra. She should have been more careful about what she wished for. I'll listen to him, but I don't want him on the expedition. He's… ill-suited to taking orders. He thinks he's to command the Nightshadows; he's actually got it into his head that he's to join this expedition as my equal.
He is your equal, Qiluй thought back. Female and male, moonlight and darkness, sword and stealth-working hand in hand to return the drow to the World Above, just as the goddess has decreed.
Cavatina winced. Before Eilistraee subsumed Vhaeraun's worshipers, Qiluй would have said "up into the light," not, "to the World Above." Cavatina resisted the urge to rub her temples. The thought of what the goddess had become pained her.
You and Kвras must work together, Qiluй continued.
Cavatina's jaw clenched. If that is your command, Lady Qiluй, she answered, I will obey it.
It is.
The fact remains that males are not permitted to sing in the Cavern of Song, Cavatina shot back, still glaring at Kвras.
That, too, is something that must change. I will remedy it at once.
Cavatina was furious-but she was smart enough to know she needed to salvage the situation, and quickly. She spoke to Kвras in sign. I have spoken to Lady Qiluй. You may sing with us. Stay or leave the cavern, as you please.
A moment later, several other priestesses cocked their heads slightly, listening. Cavatina heard the proclamation herself. Qiluй told the faithful that Vhaeraun's former clerics-those who had embraced their god in his new aspect of the Masked Lady-were welcome to join the holy chorus in the Cavern of Song.
Kвras slid his dagger back into its forearm sheath and inclined his head. Slightly. "I look forward to working with you on our expedition to the Acropolis, Lady Cavatina."
Cavatina's eyes narrowed. Two could play at this match. "As do I," she parried, her voice cold as steel, "with you."
CHAPTER 5
Q'arlynd watched as the slaves manacled the chitine to the experimentation chamber's wall. Though the chitine wore the slave ring, it had a strong mind, highly resistant to enchantments. That might allow it to last a little longer than the other subjects, but strength of will made it difficult to handle; it kept shaking off Q'arlynd's mental control.
The chitine was thin and barely as tall as Q'arlynd's shoulder. In contrast, the gray-skinned grimlock slaves were taller than humans and powerfully muscled. Yet even they had a hard time forcing the chitine's fourth arm into a manacle. The chitine's oily skin made it difficult to grapple. Wrenching its arm free, it sank the hook in its palm into the shoulder of the larger grimlock, tearing a bloody gash. The grimlock yelped and slammed a fist into the chitine's face, knocking its head back against the wall. The chitine sagged at the knees and slowly shook its head, its multifaceted eyes unfocused.
Q'arlynd clenched his fist around his master ring. "No more of that!" he snapped at the grimlocks. "I need it awake and undamaged."
He forced the chitine to stand upright, and held its body still while the grimlocks completed their task. They were sightless creatures with only vestigial eyes. Though they couldn't see Q'arlynd standing with his arms folded,