Temple Hill - Drew Karpyshyn [82]
However, that was a matter not yet worthy of serious consideration. Recovering the package took precedence. Satisfied with his plan, the wizard spun on his heel and marched out the door, his guards following closely in his wake.
It was nearly ten minutes after he'd left before the waitress dared to come out from her hiding place.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ar e you here for the worship services?" the priest of Gond asked.
"No, not really. I need to see Fendel." Corin had tried to find the secret door in the back of the temple grounds that the gnome had brought them through last time, but his search had proved fruitless.
"I'm sorry, but Fendel is extremely busy right now. He toils in his workshop in the service of the Wonderbringer. Perhaps one of our other artificers can help you?"
"It has to be Fendel. It's very important."
The priest who had greeted him at the door to the House of Hands gave him the once over, as if mere visual inspection could give him some inkling as to Corin's purpose. Obviously, he didn't like what he saw.
"I'm sorry, but Fendel hates to be interrupted when he is performing Gond's will. Perhaps if you came back in a few days."
Corin was reluctant to explain his situation to the priest in any sort of detail. He still didn't trust religious institutions on general principle, and any mention of the Dragon Cult would probably send the underling running to the High Artificer. Ultimately it would get back to
Yanseldara. For Lhasha's sake he couldn't let that happen, but he needed to see the gnome. He couldn't do this without help.
"Please," he implored. "It's about Lhasha."
The mention of the name of Fendel's ward affected a sudden transformation in the attitude of the priest. "Is Lhasha in trouble?" he asked, the concern evident on his sooty face.
"I'm afraid I can't say. Please, take me to Fendel."
"Of course," the priest replied, without even a hint of his former reluctance. "Follow me."
Soon they stood before the familiar door of the gnome's workshop. The priest knocked several times, banging his fist emphatically against the wood.
"Go away!" came the voice from inside.
"Fendel," the priest called out. "There's someone here to see you!"
"Then go away and take him with you!"
"It's about Lhasha," Corin called out.
A second later the door opened. Fendel used one grubby hand to usher Corin in, while the other shooed his fellow priest away. With the heel of his boot he kicked the door closed behind them.
As usual, Fendel's workshop was a collage of indecipherable blueprints and unidentifiable, half-finished projects. This time Corin cared little for the intriguing inventions scattered about.
"Where have you been?" Fendel chastised, shaking Corin's elbow in exasperation. His tone was that of a parent addressing a young, willful child. "I heard about your little misadventure in the warehouse-leaving my ladder behind like some kind of calling card! Completely unprofessional.
"Is that why didn't you come back here yesterday morning? Thought Fd be mad, or something? Or was Lhasha just too embarrassed by the gaff to look me in the eye?"
Suddenly the gnome stopped his tirade. "Wait a minute-where is Lhasha? What happened?"
"They took her," Corin said flatly. "I'm going to get her back."
"Who took her?" Fendel demanded, clenching his grip on Corin's elbow.
"Someone named Xiliath. At least, someone working for Xiliath." The warrior shook his elbow free from the gnome's grip. "I'm going to get her back."
"Xiliath," the gnome muttered, rubbing his dirty, scraggly beard. "I've heard that name before." He turned his eyes to Corin, his gaze piercing. "You better tell me what happened. Everything."
"I don't have time for stories," Corin said through slightly clenched teeth. His failure to protect Lhasha had been eating away at him since the meeting with the