Temple Hill - Drew Karpyshyn [18]
Corin snorted in disgust. "The Dawnbringer's priests proved just as useless as you." After a second he conceded, "At least you have the decency to admit your inability to help before leeching all the gold from my pocket."
"What about the High Artificer?" Lhasha asked.
The gnome rubbed his bald head, leaving dark smears across his wrinkled scalp. "If your friend's already been to see Lathander's people, I doubt there's much even the Artificer could do. Gond's focus isn't really on healing, you know. That's more Lathander's turf."
Corin had stubbornly ignored the faint flicker of hope Lhasha had kindled within him, but he couldn't ignore the darkness that enveloped his mind when the flicker was snuffed out. He knew only two reactions to the darkness: lashing out, or drinking until he didn't care. And there wasn't any ale handy.
Corin jumped up, kicked his chair over and shouted, "I knew this was a waste of time!"
Lhasha tried to say something, but Corin cut her off. "Consider your debt to me repaid, half-elf. You need not waste any more sympathy on me, and I won't waste any more time here!"
Fendel was quick to jump to Lhasha's defense, his voice calm and soothing.
"You've got a lot of anger inside of you, my scruffy-jawed friend. I see you like to take it out on other people. I'm beginning to understand how that riot broke out. Don't let your rage control you. Hasty decisions are often regrettable ones."
"My only regret is that I didn't die on that battlefield!"
Now it was Fendel's turn to snort.
"You've got to learn to look at the big picture, Corin. You're a lot better off than you realize. I may not be able to heal you, but if you give me a minute I might still be able to come up with a way to help you."
Part of Corin wanted to smash open the door and storm off, return to the Weeping Griffin, and spend his last few coppers on bitter ale, but something gave him pause. Fendel's words sounded confident, reassuring. There seemed to be some underlying wisdom in his voice, as if the gnome knew things Corin didn't. Things worth knowing.
"Very well," he said cautiously. "How can you help me?"
"Well, I'm not exactly sure it will work…"
"What?" Lhasha asked excitedly. "You've got that gleam in your eye, Fendel. What is it?"
"Corin, have you ever heard of something called a 'prosthetic?"
The warrior shook his head.
"It's an artificial limb. A hand constructed from… well, metal, probably."
"A hook," Corin said incredulously. "I'm not a pirate!"
"Not a hook," Fendel explained patiently, "an artificial hand. Fingers, a thumb. If I do it right-and with some practice on your part-you could use it to pick things up, open doors, hold the reins of a horse. Probably even use a shield or wield a weapon."
Corin unconsciously began to rub his stump.
"This intrigues me, gnome… Fendel. Is such a thing really possible?"
"I've never actually seen one, but I've heard of such things. Even saw a sketch, once. It might be an interesting project, if you're willing to give it a try."
For several seconds Corin was silent, still rubbing his amputated arm as he considered the possibilities. At last he nodded. "If you truly think such a thing can be done, I am willing to try."
"Excellent!" Lhasha exclaimed. "I told you Fendel could help. I haven't had a problem yet that he couldn't solve!"
The gnome held up his grubby hand. "Hold on, Lhasha. This is no easy task. Not if it is to be done right. I can't use just any metal, of course. An iron hand wouldn't be much use. Something strong, but light… mithral, perhaps. Of course, it will occupy much of my time. I'd need some type of donation to Gond's temple to justify the expenditure of materials and effort to the High Artificer. It might be very expensive."
Corin's shoulders slumped. "I… I have nothing."
"I've got it!" Lhasha blurted out. "You can work for me! It's perfect-you can earn money to pay Fendel, and it'll solve my problem with the Purple Masks!"
Fendel and Corin stared at her as if she were insane, then both started talking