The Paladins - James M. Ward [9]
Evaine's image wrinkled its nose and looked sideways at him. "I don't suppose a rage of dragons could keep a paladin from rescuing a princess."
"This is most serious, my love."
"Of course, of course."
"I depend upon you to make Listle understand," he added. Kern's fiery-tempered mate would not enjoy this surprise any more than Evaine.
"Certainly. As usual, I get the hardest part. You just be sure to wear the pendant and ring I gave you for your birthday. And don't let any wizards cast spells on you-especially female wizards," she said, wryly.
Miltiades smiled. "I know you would like to come, and bring Listle along for that matter, but time is our enemy. Plans are made and we leave immediately." He sighed and gently touched the smooth surface of the mirror. "I love you, my Evaine. Tyr keep you safe."
"Tyr keep you safe, my only," returned Evaine as she faded from view.
As the party marched to Khelben's tower, Miltiades noted the transformation of Freeman Kastonoph. The young man's pack, shrunk to a third of its previous size, rode close to his back, cinched tight with good thick straps. A slim dagger rode at his hip and a larger knife rested in his boot. Two canteens hung from the sides of his pack. He might live more than a day after all.
The rest of the party stood ready in Khelben's laboratory a few minutes later, where Aleena joined them. She looked approvingly at Noph, who grinned proudly back.
"Please stand together on the granite platform," ordered Khelben. "There will be a few moments of disorientation, and you'll find yourselves in a rough cavern on the eastern border of Undermountain. Look for rooms that match the configuration of the map and thence find your way to the gate. Good luck, and remember your oath!"
"Khelben, I'm not sure if you can teleport me," stammered Kern.
"Of course I can!"
"Of course he can!" echoed Miltiades. "Just concentrate on lowering your resistance," he quietly added.
Khelben began his casting. His words contorted into impossible syllables, and sparks of green arose and began to circle the round, granite platform. The screen of brilliant embers grew higher, rising over their heads, until Khelben uttered a final word, which sounded like a blast of wind. The sparks flared with blinding intensity and went out.
The group stood in the middle of Blackstaff s room.
Kern coughed.
"What is this?" hissed Blackstaff, incredulously.
"Ah, sorry," said Kern, stepping down from the pedestal. "I was afraid this might happen. You see, my mother's a powerful sorceress in her own right, and that had an effect on me. Most times, magic spells don't work on me. My mother says I'm anti-magical."
"Anti-magical? Anti-magical? What in Waterdeep is anti-magical?"
"As I've said, spells don't work on me, although magical things still function around me… usually."
"That's why you have no aura!" cried Khelben, staring narrowly at the young paladin-if he was a paladin. Between the dopplegangers, the two-faced guildsmen, and the queer devices from the Utter East, which spawned solid warriors out of thin air, nothing could be trusted.
"Well Kern, it seems your quest is at an end," said the mage. "What?"
"If I can't teleport you down to Undermountain, then I'll have to send the others without you."
"That's ridiculous!" cried Able.
"Out of the question!" declared Miltiades. "Kern must go with us."
"If he can't be enspelled, there's no way I can get him to Undermountain."
"If Kern doesn't go, none of us goes," said Harloon.
"Fine! Then none of you goes. I'll send Force Grey, which is what I wanted to do in the first place! I don't know you, and I don't know how you'll deal with this situation-"
"Khelben!" called Aleena from outside the circle of warriors that closed upon Blackstaff. "Hold your temper."
"You defy the commands of your lord, Piegeiron," Trandon accused.
"My lord? Let's get one thing straight. Lord Paladin-son is not my sovereign, he's my colleague.