The Shattered Land_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [106]
That’s right! You can’t kill me!
The thoughts were those of Lakashtai and Gerrion, pressing into Daine’s mind. He kept circling, trying to keep his face blank. Lakashtai? You’re awake?
Yes. I believe that I can escape these bonds, but it will take time.
Gerrion—Don’t just stand there! Back away. Keep your distance, and Aureon’s shattered teeth! Tell me what is going on here!
The half elf met his gaze and gave the slightest nod. As Daine moved forward, Gerrion darted back, pulling at the tough vine that bound them together. Hopefully Daine’s slow movement seemed like sensible caution.
These … they aren’t the elves you know from Khorvaire. Thousands of years ago, the elves fought the giants that ruled this land. Giant wizards captured elves and experimented on them, created their own soldiers to go places the giants could not. It’s said that they wove dark magic into the elven form, and that these are the result. The first elves call them the drow.
I’m going to attack, Daine thought. Careful. He lunged forward, launching a few cautious blows—the goal was to appear to be testing Gerrion’s reflex, not yet attacking in earnest. The half-elf leapt back, and Daine just brushed his cloak.
These … The leader called himself ‘vulk n’tash of the qaltiar’. That means ‘scorpion wraith of the broken oath.’ Whatever you do—I wouldn’t place much trust in his word.
“Just die, you bastard!” Daine cried, darting forward again, pulling his blow at the last moment so Gerrion could slip away. So why’s he got it in for you? What’s a ‘firebinder’? And fight back next time I come close—kick me or something.
My mother was human. They don’t like half breeds. There’s a longer story, but somehow I don’t think this is the time.
Daine charged forward but allowed himself to be caught off-guard by Gerrion’s well-placed kick. Agreed. Lakashtai—can you just put them to sleep or tell them to let us go?
I could not exert direct control over so many—and the elvish mind can be difficult to command. I could perhaps slow them for a time, but they would not be completely helpless.
Hold that thought. What else can you do that could affect them all? If I don’t start hurting Gerrion—I don’t want to have you get hurt as well.
I can shift their perceptions …
And make us invisible? Daine thought hopefully.
No, nothing so great. I might be able to hide an object in your hand, make your armor seem to be clothing, turn a whisper into a shout, shift the color of skin or hair, but I could not hide you.
Could you … make a scrape appear to be a bloody wound?
Daine could feel Lakashtai contemplating the idea. Yes. I think I could.
Then this is what we’re going to do …
The battle was carefully choreographed. Daine barely touched Gerrion, but Lakashtai assured him that the drow were seeing a brutal fight. She made the club seem to disappear when Gerrion “disarmed” him—but it never left his hand, and as soon as she had slipped free from her bonds, Daine and Gerrion brought the battle to a close.
I told you not to trust him, Gerrion thought as Shen’kar drew his weapon and pronounced Daine’s fate.
Whatever. Daine smashed the drow across the face with the club, and before the surprised elf could react, he brought the club down on his enemy’s wrist, forcing him to drop Daine’s dagger. With one fluid movement, Daine dropped to one knee, snatched the dagger, and cut the vine binding him to Gerrion.
Shen’kar was not surprised for long, and Daine barely raised the club in time to parry the spiked rod. The drow warrior cried out in Elvish, his fury marring the beautiful speech.
You don’t want to know what that was, Gerrion added helpfully.
Though smaller than Daine, Shen’kar was swift and skilled. Daine slashed at the drow’s weapon with his dagger, hoping to split the rod, but the elf dodged the blow as if it were an approaching ox, and before Daine could raise his guard he felt the scrape of chitin spikes against his cheek. Fire burned in the wound, and Daine mustered his strength to ignore the pain of the poison.
The other elves were