The Druid Queen - Douglas Niles [15]
The cleric, Keane saw, was a very tall man-nearly as tall as the mage himself. He was stout, but not obese. Instead, the inquisitor carried the strong suggestion of a workman's strength in his barrel chest and large hands. A neatly trimmed beard of rust red framed the priest's chin, and his blue eyes sparkled with intensity and, perhaps, curiosity.
"I had heard something of that, yes," noted the mage as the cleric lead him to a pair of comfortable chairs arrayed before a currently unlighted hearth.
"Please, be seated. Allow me to introduce myself-Parell Hyath, Helm's inquisitor along this coast. Harmanius tells me you wish to discuss a matter of import to your king."
"That's correct." Keane had already decided that he wouldn't mention the unfortunate demise of Bakar Dalsoritan. No need to inform the inquisitor that he was the mage's second choice. Instead, he quickly launched into the explanation.
"His Majesty King Kendrick has recently been rescued from a dire imprisonment. His health is good, but his captors, in an act of sheer brutality, cut off one of his hands. He has commissioned me to… negotiate for the services of a devout man of the gods, a man such as yourself. I am prepared to offer generous inducements should you be willing to return to the isles with me and perform a spell of regeneration on the king."
Parell Hyath's blue eyes narrowed subtly, but his lips pursed tightly together.
"This is a worthy cause, to be sure-but I'm afraid that the matter of timing creates a bit of difficulty. My business here in Baldur's Gate is sure to occupy me for the rest of the year… though perhaps after that?"
Keane shook his head regretfully. He wondered if the cleric spoke the truth or simply raised the issue for negotiation purposes. "I'm sorry, Lord Inquisitor, but His Majesty was most insistent that I return as soon as possible. Isn't there a way that you could make the journey quickly, returning here to resume your business, and not incidentally earn a respectable fee for your good efforts?"
The magic-user knew that clerics did not possess the wizard's ability to teleport instantaneously from one place to another, which had been the means Keane used to reach Baldur's Gate from Corwell. But he also knew that other paths were open to the servants of the gods, such as gates through the astral planes and other-dimensional paths that allowed equally rapid transport.
For a moment, he wondered if the cleric really spoke the truth, for the man's lips remained locked in that firm position, causing his beard to twist into a tight circle around his mouth. But then he relaxed slightly.
"It just might be possible," he allowed, "though I can make no promises. By the way, what sort of, er, 'inducement' did your king have in mind?"
"I'm authorized to offer as much as fifty thousand pieces of gold or the equivalent in jewels, gems, or platinum." Keane knew the amount would put a significant dent in the royal treasury, but it was a fee he felt certain that the king would pay. In addition, he could see, with some satisfaction, that the offer had cut right to the core of the inquisitor's being. Hyath blinked, and this time he forgot to purse his lips. Keane saw his eyes slowly widen as he no doubt considered the charitable works that such a sum would allow him to accomplish.
"As I explained," the priest said after a few moments reflective silence, "my time is difficult to rearrange. But there is a possibility…"
"I truly hope so," Keane prodded. "Do you need a day to decide? I'm afraid I won't be able to linger much longer than that. I'll have to seek help in Waterdeep, or Amn…"
"Bah!" The cleric shook his head derisively. "Neither of them offers a cleric worthy of the title patriarch!"
"You'll forgive me"-Keane's voice was soft, precisely polite-"but I'll have to see that for myself."
The inquisitor smiled then, his expression surprisingly friendly. Nevertheless, the Ffolkman