Tymora's Luck - Kate Novak [134]
"It's Holly!" Jas said.
Holly ran straight to Finder. "Hurry!" she begged. "Lady Beshaba is trying to kill Lady Tymora, and Lord Lathander won't do anything to interfere."
Act Four Scene 6
Joel spat out the dirt in his mouth as Tymora formed a protective cocoon around them.
"My hero," the goddess called him as she helped pat out the fire that singed his hair and clothing.
The Limbo-like chaos they had just flown through left Joel dazed. The disorganized elements didn't seem to bother the goddess in the least.
"Thank you for saving my life," Lady Luck said. "You are lucky for me, Rebel Bard. But I think it's time you were going."
"Going where, my lady?" Joel asked.
"You cannot stay in the fusion chamber. You cannot negotiate the chaos matter, and I cannot protect you and defend myself from Beshaba at the same time. Beshaba will either kill you or use you against me, and I cannot allow that."
"The magical barrier surrounding this place holds living matter prisoner," Joel said. "There is no way for me to leave."
"I think I have a way around that," the goddess replied.
"Lady Tymora," Joel objected, "if I leave the fusion chamber, Lathander and Sirrion will begin to merge you with Beshaba immediately. The longer I stay here, the more time I buy for Finder to rescue you."
Tymora smiled and placed her palm on Joel's cheek. "You are so like Finder was when he was young, before he grew afraid of death. Such valor is commendable. Still, you must go."
"Finder will not be pleased if I do not render you every assistance I can," Joel insisted.
"Finder would be less pleased if you should die, though he does not know that," Tymora said. "He needs you. Take care of him, Rebel Bard. Be his luck, as you were mine." She kissed him on the cheek.
Joel opened his mouth to object more strenuously, but his face was suddenly too stiff to move. His limbs felt as stiff as stone. Then he realized that his limbs were stone. His whole body had become a statue. Then his mind went black.
* * * * *
Finder, Jas, Holly, and Emilo burst into the clearing beside the tent near the intersecting streams.
'They're in there!" Holly cried out, pointing to a shimmering portal hovering over a stone altar.
Just as the paladin spoke, a stone statue came sliding out of the portal. It was covered with dirt and dripping with water. Little patches of flame flickered over its surface. Nonetheless, they were able to recognize the statue.
"It's Joel!" Jas gasped. "He's been turned to stone."
Finder motioned with one hand, and the statue levitated to his side. Then he touched the stone, and Joel slumped into his god's arms, flesh and blood once more. The bard moaned softly. He felt as if he'd been sleeping on rocks for days.
As Joel's head cleared, he noticed Lathander, standing beneath the portal with his back turned toward them. The god spun around to face the intruders. He looked surprised to see Holly standing with Finder.
"Paladin, what is the meaning of this? Why have you brought Finder here?" the Morninglord asked Holly.
"Forgive me, Lord Lathander," Holly said, "but something isn't right here. Lord Finder should have an opportunity to speak on behalf of Lady Tymora."
"There is no time, paladin," Lathander said. "If we delay the fusion any longer, Beshaba may destroy Tymora or vice versa. Then Tyche can never be resurrected. Lord Sirrion, are you ready?"
"It will take only a few moments more to drain off enough power from both goddesses to make the fusion safe," Sirrion replied.
"You have your priest, Lord Finder," Lathander said. "I suggest you leave now, before I grow annoyed by your intrusion."
Finder set Joel down beside Jas. The bard leaned heavily on the winged woman, hardly able to move a muscle.
"You can grow peeved, piqued, and provoked, for all I care," Finder said. "I'm not leaving without Tymora."
"You cannot hope to defeat my plan," Lathander said. "I am far, far more powerful than you."
"I need only hold you off until Selune grows suspicious," Finder said.
Lathander glowered