Storm of the Dead - Lisa Smedman [55]
"Indeed we have, Lady," Gilkriz said, nodding down at one of the rings on his ever-drumming fingers. Beside him, Mazeer lifted one arm, drawing attention to the wands sheathed in her bracer. Jyzrill simply snorted, as if his scowl would be enough to wither undead where they stood.
"My staff will warn me," Daffir said.
"As will my trinkets," said Khorl.
"We're protected," said Eldrinn, indicating both Q'arlynd and himself.
Q'arlynd nodded in agreement. Master Seldszar had given the boy half a dozen potions; each would provide complete concealment from undead creatures-for a time. Three of these rested in Q'arlynd's pocket for "safekeeping."
"I hope so," Cavatina said. "If it comes to a battle, we won't just face mindless animated corpses. Many Crones embrace undeath themselves, or rise as revenants when slain, as Kвras can personally attest."
Kвras looked uncomfortable-a fact Q'arlynd noted with more than a little alarm. Cavatina had spilled something the Nightshadow hadn't wanted her to. She didn't know when to keep her mouth shut. At the first opportunity, Q'arlynd would have to speak to the Darksong Knight. He didn't want her mentioning his role in Vhaeraun's death. Not with six Nightshadows at his back.
Kвras cleared his throat. "I have indeed seen Crones rise as revenants. And as something more than revenants. I was in Maerimydra when it fell to the army of Kurgoth Hellspawn. In the aftermath of that battle, the traitors of House T'sarran seized control of the city in Kiaransalee's name. Among their ranks were spirits whose wailing scythed down dozens of mortals where they stood." He paused, then added grimly, "A small taste of what will await us at the Acropolis of Thanatos."
Once again, the hall filled with uneasy murmurs.
"We're prepared," Cavatina said confidently. She nodded at the halfling priestess.
The halfling-an odd-looking individual with copper-colored hair and skin stained black as a drow's-reached into her pouch and pulled out what resembled a ball of fired clay tufted with feathers. "Silence stones," she said in a voice that was surprisingly husky for such a small person. She patted a sling tucked into her belt in the place where a scabbard would normally hang, but her sword was strapped to her back.
Cavatina turned back to the group. "If others among you also have the ability to create magical silence, I suggest you review those spells before we leave. Next to the singing swords, they're our best defense."
Q'arlynd felt Eldrinn nudging his arm. He glanced at the boy and saw Eldrinn's quick question. You?
Q'arlynd shook his head slightly. You?
No.
Cavatina continued her briefing, warning them of the various forms of undead sure to populate the Acropolis. Q'arlynd listened attentively, eyes focused on the drift-disc map as he memorized all possible routes between the Moondeep and the Acropolis. Just in case.
"It's not just undead we have to watch out for," Kвras added. "I grew up in the Deep Wastes and know its dangers." He held up a hand and counted off fingers. "Purple worms, delvers, umber hulks…" He glanced around. "If any of you feels the tiniest vibration, I want to hear about it."
"Thank you, Kвras, for the warning," Cavatina said. She turned to the others. "Knowing what to avoid for in the Deep Wastes will be valuable."
"What to watch for, you mean," Kвras interjected. "If a fresh tunnel's been bored we might be able to make use of it. Shorten the distance."
"No," Cavatina said firmly. "We stick to the route we've chosen. We don't want to wander into any dead ends and get trapped."
"How do we know the route you've chosen won't be a trap?" Kвras protested. "If the Crones have found out about it-"
Cavatina's eyes smoldered. "They haven't."
Kвras frowned. "How did you learn of this route?"
"Through our allies in the Deep Wastes."
Khorl cleared his throat. "What allies would those be, Lady?"
Cavatina seemed relieved to answer someone else's question. "The svirfneblin."