The Gates of Night_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [89]
“You may be surprised,” Lei said, picking up the staff. “Sometimes a pawn can win the game.”
“Enough,” Daine said. “She’s right, Lei. You said it before—Lakashtai is our responsibility. Let’s clean up our mistakes. But let me say this, your majesty …” Daine stood up, placing a hand on his sword. “For all I know, you may be all-powerful in this place. You may know everything we’ve done or will do. If so, you know what I’m thinking. When this is done, I don’t want to see one of your eyes or your agents again.”
Thelania inclined her head. “I give you my word, Daine. You never shall.”
“Then let’s be done with this. You said you’d show us the way.”
“Yes. Kin knows many paths into your world, and he will take you into Riedra. From your point of entry, you must secure one of the dreambinder monoliths. You, Lei, and Pierce can sleep. Xu’sasar and Kin will remain awake to guard your bodies.”
“And once we enter Dal Quor?”
“There your path grows dark,” Thelania said.
“What?” Lei asked. “You mean you don’t know absolutely everything?”
“No one is all-knowing,” the fey queen said. “There is no weakness in this. I know of the danger that arises. I know that you have the potential to bring it to an end. And should you fail, I know of the horrors that will follow.”
“So we just go to sleep and hope for the best?” Daine said. “That’s a great plan.”
“I cannot guide you through the nightmare realm, and I do not know what will be needed to destroy the orb again. But there are powers within Dal Quor that can aid you.”
“Shira,” Pierce said.
No, the thought came. I have told you. It is not the world I left behind. I know nothing of what remains.
“No,” Thelania said. “A guide awaits you in dreams, but you need knowledge far greater than he has to offer. What do you know of death?”
“Enough,” Daine said. “What do you know?”
A smile played across Thelania’s lips. “When most creatures of Eberron die, their spirits go to the plane of Dolurrh, where memories are washed away, and the spirit is cleansed of its burdens.”
Lei shot a smug look at Xu’sasar.
“Yet there are those who follow other paths,” Thelania continued, “creatures who seek to preserve their knowledge and wisdom beyond the grave. As you have said, Lei, the dragons of Argonnessen are the oldest and most powerful civilization of your world. Dragons live for thousands of years, and scaled sages have devoted lifetimes to the study of the planes and the mysteries of death.”
“Fascinating,” Daine said. “Really. And the point?”
“There is a sect among the dragons that has formed a sanctuary in Dal Quor. An eidolon, a force comprised of the essence of hundreds of fallen dragons. Its power is but a fraction of what these dragons wielded in life, but it may be the one safe haven you will find in Dal Quor. And if there is movement—if armies are massing on the fields of darkness—the eidolon will know.”
“Fine,” Daine said. “Kin shows us the way, we take a nap, talk to some dragons, and they tell us where we can find Lakashtai. Is that all? Because I think I’m ready to go now.”
“Are you so certain?” Thelania smiled. “Time is of the essence. Yet with the danger that awaits you, my realm holds many pleasures. Do you not wish to linger for one evening? You may never have the chance again.”
“I hope that I don’t,” Daine said. “But thanks for the dinner.”
Thelania stood and stepped back from the table. “There was more to the meal than you know,” she said. “The food will give you strength enough to travel through the days ahead and to return to your world without suffering any ill effects. And the drink has strengthened your mind. Fear is one of the greatest weapons of the quori, and my mead will shield you in the battle ahead.”
The effects that she describes will last for approximately one day, Shira thought. Pierce kept his thoughts intentionally blank, but he was still troubled. Only a day ago, he’d found Shira’s presence comforting. Now