Stormlight - Ed Greenwood [68]
The silver fire flared into visibility for the briefest of instants, but seemed to accept his spells, binding them into itself without faltering or backlash. Good. Now the Chosen One of Mystra was caught here, too-his helpless prey in an ever-deepening trap.
The shapechanger opened his eyes, stood up, and smiled. They'd face each other soon enough-and he'd get what he'd come here for. Oh, yes.
With that confident smile still on his face, he stepped out into the passage and strolled openly across the keep, heading back toward the Haunted Tower to await dusk and his next move. He'd never thought this road he'd chosen would be so much fun.
He crossed the portrait-hung Hall of Honor-full of stuffy-looking Summerstars glaring down out of frames that hadn't been dusted for a tenday… and why was that, now? Could it be for fear of a certain tentacled prowler?-and headed up the Gargoyle Stair.
Halfway up it he heard a hail from above, and saw a Purple Dragon, drawn sword in hand, standing at its head. "I know you not," the armsman said, frowning. "Who are you, and why are you here?"
With an easy smile, the man on the stairs spread empty hands, and continued to mount the broad, plum-carpeted stone steps. "I am Maxer," he said, "a… friend of Lady Storm Silverhand." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you harp?"
The guard’s frown deepened. “I do not,” he said coldly, “and I’ve no love for Harpers-or anyone else who skulls about evading the dictates of rightful authority. I ask again: why are you here?”
“So the harp isn’t to your taste,” the smiling main, said, approaching the head of the stair. He raised his hands as if conducting an imaginary band of musicians-making sure the armsman did not see the rising, moving hump between his shoulder-blades-and asked, “What instrument do you play, pray tell?”
“I’m not one for music,” the guard said shortly, raising the point of his blade to menace the throat of the ascending stranger. “I don’t play-or play at-anything.”
“Ah,” the smiling stranger said softly, “I’m sorry to hear that.” The gentle smile still on his face, he lashed out with his newly grown tentacle, snaring the guard’s throat.
The Purple Dragon reeled and fought for breath, hands tearing futilely at what was strangling shim. The shapechanger lifted him delicately clear of the ground to render his kicks useless. With casual amusement, he watched the mans face darken. The valiant boldshield was going to have one less witness to report on the murderer loose in the keep-and one fewer Purple Dragon sword to swing at dangerous shapeshifting beasts.
The smiling man's eyes caught sudden fire. The choking armsman tried to scream as he stared into those flaming orbs, and managed only an agonized whistle before two needles of flame lanced out. His head caught fire from the inside.
The smiling man drank in a flood of memories from the squalling, spasming body-dark visions of battlefields and tankards and willing lips, mostly. When be was done, he cast the husk casually aside. It slid down the wall as he strode on, licking his lips and murmuring from time to time.
The memories he'd stolen jostled with those he'd already taken, whirling and surging together in a wild cacophony of unrelated, overlaid images…
With dismay, the shapeshifter realized he'd forgotten who and where he was for some tune, drifting along in a tumbling journey through the unfamiliar, stolen memories of others. He was striding down a passage that led to the Haunted Tower and must have walked straight through the floor occupied by guests-such as the war wizards.
He shook his head and saw a servant glance out of a room, frown in concern, and draw its door swiftly closed again. Filled with sudden, savage glee, he sprang to that door, grew talons, and raked the wood, laughing wildly when he heard a terrified cry room inside.
"I am the Eater of All!" he howled exultantly, dancing on down the corridor and lashing the air around him with a restless tentacle. "I am the Slayer of Mages, the slaughterer of doves and children and helpless little kittens. Fear me! Obey me!