The Jewel of Turmish - Mel Odom [39]
The frost retreated from Malar's coin in Cerril's shaking fist. Eldath's mark grew brighter and turned red with heat. Steam poured from the mark.
Trembling, Cerril placed Malar's coin on top of Eldath's mark. Even before Cerril could withdraw his hand, the coin turned blistering hot, scorching his fingertips. He drew his fingers back, sticking them in his mouth to cool them, not wanting to use the icy surface of the coffin for any kind of relief. He didn't trust it.
Steam poured from the coffin around Malar's coin. The gold glowed red as it sank into the ice and obliterated Eldath's device.
Cerril stared at the sinking coin then staggered back as the ice shattered and exploded outward. Dozens of flying ice chips struck his face and arms. Several of them drew blood as a great steam cloud obscured the coffin.
Some of the boys behind Cerril screamed in fear. Feet slapped against the stone floor.
The candle dropped from Cerril's nerveless fingers. His breath caught in the back of his throat as he spotted the crimson threads covering his arms. Even as he realized he was looking at his own blood, the falling candle flame died.
Darkness filled the crypt area.
Screams and curses filled the room behind Cerril. He made himself start breathing again even though he felt like his lungs had frozen fast inside his chest. A lambent blue haze dawned inside the room.
A figure rose from the shattered remnants of the coffin. It was man-shaped, dressed in dark funeral clothing. Ivory colored bone showed at the figure's breast. Horrified, Cerril couldn't help looking at the figure's hands. Skeletal fingers flexed slowly. The hooded figure's head turned toward his hands, surveying the fleshless bones with casual interest. The hood turned toward Cerril, shadows masking the face within.
"Who are you, boy?" a cold, harsh voice demanded. Steam roiled around the figure. "N-no-nobody" Cerril replied.
He managed to get his legs working under him again. Bracing himself, he took two quick steps backward.
The figure surveyed him in silence for a moment, then said, "Are you one of Eldath's followers?"
Cerril shook his head. "No." His voice cracked and echoed within the crypt.
"Why?" the hooded figure asked.
"I was forced," Cerril responded.
"By whom?"
"I don't know. The coin brought me here." The hooded figure cocked bis head. "What coin?" "Malar's coin," Cerril answered. He tried another step back but his legs felt weak and he didn't trust them.
The figure nodded. "Malar."
"Yes," Cerril replied, cursing the god beneath his breath.
"I had thought Malar had forsaken me."
"Malar-Malar," Cerril said, stumbling over the words, "told me there would be a reward."
Even though the hood shrouded the figure's face, Cerril could tell that the figure within grew more interested at his declaration.
"A reward?" the figure asked.
Cerril tried to speak but couldn't. He nodded instead.
Insane laughter pealed through the crypt. The noise sounded as if it came from the bottom of a well, growing stronger as it caromed off the walls.
"Cerril!" Two-Fingers yelled from the other room. "Cerriir
Despite the terror in Two-Fingers's voice, Cerril couldn't tear his eyes from the figure as it approached him.
The figure glided across the stone floor. Shattered pieces of the ice coffin darted away from the hem of its funeral garb. Whatever spell had bound the coffin together no longer had any power over the figure.
"CerrilF Two-Fingers yelled. "The damn stone has replaced itself at the top of the stairs. We're locked in!"
The fact didn't surprise Cerril. Whatever he had helped free was powerful. The young thief had no doubt about that.
"Do you know who I am, boy?" the figure asked in its thundering voice.
Cerril shook his head.
"Answer me!" the figure roared.
"No," Cerril said. "No, I don't know who you are."
"You should, boy," the figure said. "You should have known. No one should ever forget me."
It reached up, skeletal hands closing on the