Tangled webs - Elaine Cunningham [77]
The wave swept under the Elfmaid and lifted her up with breath-stealing speed. To the astonishment of all, the ship did not plunge back down into the sea; the massive wave continued to hold them aloft.
Then the Wa.Ve shifted and began to take on humanoid form. Eyes the size of war shields gazed down at the stunned crew, and enormous watery hands cradled the ship-which was still encased in its glowing orb-as easily as a child might hold an oversized plaything. With an odd, undulating movement, the creature began to move toward the northeast, its arms and body lengthening and shortening as it went, like the ebb and flow of the tide.
"What in the Nine bloody Hells is that thing?" Hrolf demanded. His usually ebullient voice was reduced to a harsh whisper.
"An elemental," Liriel returned. She had seen stone elementals and knew the incredible strength of such creatures. She even had the magic to conjure and command such a being. But it had never occurred to her that such could be called from the other elements, and she was astonished by the sheer size and power of this one. The elemental's fluid shape was hard to measure, but she guessed it stood at least twenty feet above the waves, with arms at least twice that long.
The ship settled down into a gentle swaying motion, and one by one the sailors left their secure holds and came to cluster around their captain. Their expressions were fearful, but confident.
"How d'we fight this one, Captain?" Olvir asked for them all. Despite the tremor in his voice, the seagoing skald asked the question with the tone of one who fully expected an answer. Their captain had led them through many unorthodox adventures and provided Olvir with tales enough to while away the nights of the longest winter.
But this time the light of battle did not come to Hrolrs eyes. The captain felt an unaccustomed lack of optimism. The Elfmaid had lost five good men to the fighting so far on this trip, bringing their number down to under twenty. There were enough remaining to man the ship-barelybut not enough to take into battle against such a foe. Indeed, Hrolfhad no idea how a force of any size could trim the sails of this watery monster. But he stifled his own fear and faced the men with a confidence he did not feel.
"No fighting just yet," he said firmly, casting a stern glance in Fyodor's direction. "We're not exactly under attack, to my way of thinking. Seems as if this thing wants to take us for a ride. We wait it out, weather this delay same as any other storm. Go about your business best you can, but keep your weapons sharp and ready. Once this wet bastard puts us down," he promised with a touch ofhis customary battle glee, "it had best be ready to block, duck, or bleed!"
The men responded with a halfuearted cheer. Hrolf sent them off to do little-needed tasks. When all were occupied, he pulled Liriel aside. "Can you do aught to stop this thing, lass?"
The drow shook her head, thinking of the unlearned spells in her pilfered book of sea magic. "Not yet. I'll check my spellbooks for ideas, though."
Hrolf cast a glance at the sky. His weathered brow creased as he made some calculations. "Looks as if you'll have time to ponder over it. Unless i miss my guess, from the direction we're headed i'd have to say this thing plans to take us to the Purple Rocks."
"What are they?"
The captain met her curious gaze without a trace of his usual humor. "A place best avoided," he said grimly as he placed one hand on her shoulder. "Go look through them magic books, my girl. But read fast, or Umberlee will have us all."
Chapter 11
Escape
Do you know anything about this?" demanded Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, archmage ofWaterdeep, as he thrust a sheet of parchment into his nephew's hands.
The young man scanned the elegant, slanted script that could only have come from the quill of Baron Khaufros, one of Waterdeep's staunchest northern allies. "i don't believe it," he said flatly.
"Oh? And what basis have you for doubt?"
"i have met the drow in question,