Tangled webs - Elaine Cunningham [105]
As do i, said a calm and feminine voice, speaking directly into the drow's mind. Both Shakti and Rethnor tumed as the illithid glided toward them, her lavender robes trailing behind her in a silken whisper.
The conquest of Ruathym is important. We are agreed on that, Vestress continued. The Kraken Society would benefit from a western outpost, and we also wish to reward Rethnor's efforts. Luskan is an important trade partner; and you have proven yourself a valuable agent. But mark me, Lord High Captain: we grow impatient with your tactics. The pirate ship escaped you. You should pray that her captain did not recognize you or your ship, and that he is not even now spreading word of Luskan 's perfidy among his people. The task of conquest will be more difficult if the islanders are forewarned. Do not delay much longer; else you lose all we have worked to accomplish.
The man scowled. "Then why do you not attack at once?" he demanded. "i have seen your forces-a hundred sea ogres, twice as many human and elven slaves, gargoyles, strange water creatures from other worlds. Send them through your portal, if you can, and let them lay waste the island this very day!"
Do not presume to instruct me, Vestress advised him, her mental voice icy. Bring me the drow wizard soon, or see the valuable resources of Ascarle and the Kraken Society slip forever beyond your grasping hands!
With royal hauteur, the illithid swept from the chamber. As Shakti watched her go, her dark fingers clutched the pendant hanging over her heart, a small disk of obsidian, engraved with the shape of a half-mask.
"it is as i thought," she said in a deeply troubled voice. "The illithid needs Liriel Baenre's wizardly spells to open that portal. And she will have them, caring not whether Liriel is alive or dead at the time."
Rethnor's lips tightened in a small, hard smile. "i have often thought the only good wizard is a dead one, but i fail to see how this one's death will aid Vestress."
The drow tumed a somber crimson glare upon him. "The illithid can read your mind; through the power of my god, i can read hers. Vestress will have Liriel, whether you manage to deliver her up or not. There are more ways than one for her to gain knowledge of the magic the wizard wields. And if Liriel dies, i lose my prey."
"What is that to me?" Rethnor replied mockingly, tuming Shakti's recent words back against her.
The drow's eyes narrowed.
A tingling shock of pain exploded in Rethnor's new hand, sending the five fingers jerking out straight. He watched, horrified, as the fingers curved and reached for the handle of a knife tucked into his weapon belt. Without his will, against his will, the treacherous hand began to lift the knife toward his own throat. Rethnor strained the muscles ofhis left arm, seized the advancing wrist with his own strong right hand and tried to force it away-all to no avail. The hand that had become as much a part of him as his implacable ambition had utterly betrayed him. He felt the cold, sharp sting of the knife against his throat, felt the warm welling of blood as the blade slid gently across his skin.
"i will not lose my prey," Shakti said softly, emphatically, her eyes glowing with malevolent satisfaction. "Do whatever you must, but bring Liriel to me alive!"
With that, the drow priestess spun and stalked out of the kelpie nursery.
The knife clattered to the floor as Rethnor's arm fell to his side. He flexed his fingers, bent his arm and bunched the formidable muscles, and was relieved to find that all were once again at his command.
For now.
Xzorsh was in a quandary. The young sea ranger had received disturbing reports through the Relay-the complex chain of information that intelligent sea creatures passed along great distances with astonishing speed. HrolPs ship had been attacked off the coast of Gundarlun by yet another creature of the elemental plane of water. The sea ranger had seen many things in his years of patrolling the waters, but the strange