Tangled webs - Elaine Cunningham [81]
The Waterdhavian ship, meanwhile, had changed course to close in on the wounded elemental. A catapult lever sprang forward, sending a grapeshot load hurtling toward the creature-crystalline particles of some sort that caught the last rays of sunlight like so many glittering gems.
"Uh-oh," Liriel murmured. Without bothering to ask for details, the pirates dropped to the deck and flung their arms over their heads.
The whine and thud of the catapult's machinery caught the attention of the tormented elemental, and it spun just in time to face the incoming spray of crystals. Instinctively, the elemental threw up its one arm to ward off the attack, and it began to sink into the protective waves.
Not soon enough. A geyser of steam billowed into the darkening sky, filling the air with a tremendous hiss and the overwhelming stench of cooked fish. The Waterdhavian ship changed course immediately to veer away from the deadly cloud, but the faint cries coming from it indicated that some of the sailors had been scalded. The pirates leaped to their feet, cheering and shouting at this double victory.
Nevertheless…
"They will pursue," ibn pointed out, his tone grim.
Hrolf shot a significant look at Liriel. "Not if they think there's nothing left of us to chase."
The drow considered this, her fingers closing around the Windwalker as she reviewed the spells contained in the amulet.
"Enough!" Fyodor demanded, his voice tinged with anger. "Look at her. She is barely able to stand. How much magic do you think one person can channel and live?" "She's stronger than you think, lad," the captain said stoutly, wrapping a fatherly arm around the girl's shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
The young warrior stood his ground. He had seen the Witches of Rashemen pour forth their magic in battle, draining their power and essence until there was nothing left of them but piles of drifting dust and empty black robes.
"it is better that we take on the ship in battle," Fyodor insisted.
Liriel sniffed. "You don't want to face off against the wizard who melted that elemental, trust me on that. And it's not one ship, but two." She pointed to the northeast; the distant vessel.was now close enough for human eyes to discern.
Hrolf snatched up an eyeglass and trained it on the approaching ship. "Damn and blast it, it's one of them warships we fought before!"
"And the elemental was taking us to them," the drow added. "Believe me when i say that anyone who can sum., mon elementals is bad news. Hrolf and ibn are right. Whoever those people are, they will pursue us until we are dead-or they think we are. You," Liriel demanded, whirling to point at one of the sailors, "bring me a sea chart with our current location marked on it. Harreldson, take the rudder and set course for Ruathym. The rest of you, to oars! Put some distance between us and that caravel!"
The men scurried to do her bidding. Even Fyodor took a place at the oars, for he knew that no argument would sway the stubborn drow once her mind was set upon a given course of action. The row of oars dipped and pulled, and the nimble Elfmaid leaped toward the south. Tracing a stately arc, the caravel changed course to pursue.
Liriel stood alone on the main deck, her eyes closed and her hands curved before her as if she were holding an invisible globe. Slowly, as if in graceful dance, her hand turned palms-out and her arms stretched high, then went out wide. A sheet of darkness, a vast impenetrable curtain of black, fell between the Elfmaid and her attacker.
"it worked," Liriel muttered with relief. She had never tried to reshape the drow globe of darkness into another form, and until this moment she had no idea whether or: not it could be done. Taking no time to exult, she turned to the next part of the spell. The sailor she'd sent for the chart hovered nearby, his eyes round with wonder as he stared at the summoned darkness. Liriel snapped her fingers impatiently, and he darted forward with the chart.
"We're here," she mused, touching one black