Storm of the Dead - Lisa Smedman [90]
No one seemed ready to argue with that.
"The plan has changed," he told them. He gestured down at the strongbox. "We've learned what's augmenting the Faerzress: voidstone. Now we need to find out exactly how the Crones are doing this, so we can put a stop to it. That requires a lighter touch-something a little more subtle than simply charging in and fighting our way to the Acropolis."
The Nightshadows nodded. So did the mages.
"Three of us will disguise ourselves as deep gnomes and infiltrate the Acropolis. We'll learn what we can, and pass the information along to Qiluй. The rest of you-"
"Who's going to pose as the three svirfneblin?" Leliana interrupted.
Kвras turned to her. With Cavatina gone, Leliana had assumed command of the other Protectors. She wasn't like the Darksong Knight; she was less prone to erupt when prodded. She had the air of someone who'd been raised in the Underdark, who knew how to keep herself alive by swimming with the ever-shifting tide.
"I will," Kвras answered. "I was in Maerimydra when the Crones overran it. I know how they're likely to react."
Leliana nodded. She glanced at her Protectors, obviously trying to decide which of them had the best chance of surviving.
Kвras spoke before she had a chance to announce her choice. "Gindrol and Talzir will come with me. They have the ability to alter their forms, as well." He didn't add the real reason he'd just named those two: that they were the only ones he could come close to trusting. Like him, they'd embraced Eilistraee's faith out of expediency. They kept their old skills well honed.
Leliana held his eyes a moment but made no protest. "All right," she agreed. Unlike Cavatina, she recognized the merits of using the best tools for the job. "The rest of us will circle around to the other side of the Acropolis and move in if you run into trouble."
"Not as one group," Kвras amended. "The Nightshadows' stealth will be wasted in any attack in force. They should go a different way."
"Agreed." Leliana turned to the wizards. "You six have a choice. Come with us or tag along with the Nightshadows."
Gilkriz nodded at his underling. "Jyzrill will accompany one of the Nightshadows."
The shorter male's scowl deepened, but he nodded.
"Khorl will go with the other Nightshadow," Eldrinn said quickly. "And Daffir will join the Protectors. As for Q'arlynd and I-"
"We'll join the Protectors," Q'arlynd interrupted. "My spells are better suited to battle than to stealth. As are Eldrinn's."
A flicker of irritation crossed the younger male's face.
Kвras nodded. "Let's go, then. The water clock's trickling, no time to waste."
The others shouldered their packs and secured their weapons. Leliana, however, drew Kвras aside. "What if Cavatina returns?" she asked. "Someone should wait for her, tell her what's happening."
Kвras gave her a level stare. "Didn't you hear what the moonrat said? The demon took Cavatina. Wherever she's vanished to, not even Qiluй can contact her."
"She's a Darksong Knight. She can take care of herself. And that wasn't a demon."
"Oh? What was it, then?"
"It was-" Leliana halted abruptly. There was something she didn't want the others to know.
"Your devotion to your superiors is commendable," Kвras said. He pretended to give her request serious consideration. "Very well, then. If you think it's that important, send one of your priestesses back to the spot where Cavatina disappeared."
Leliana turned to the wizard who stood next to her-an odd choice, Kвras thought. "Q'arlynd, I think you should go."
The wizard gave a start. "Me?" He glanced at the young wizard who was nominally in charge of the diviners. "I can't. Eldrinn may need me to-"
Before he could finish, Gilkriz chuckled. "To what? Hold his hand in case he stumbles into a mine shaft and falls?"
The other conjurer added a bark of laughter.
Eldrinn stiffened. "I can take care of myself, Q'arlynd. And you'd do well to remember that Master Seldszar