Tymora's Luck - Kate Novak [42]
"Can we stop that?" Finder asked.
"We must find a way," Selune said. "Or the consequences will be horrible."
"How can too much good luck be a bad thing?" Emilo asked.
"In more ways than you can imagine, but mostly it's a case of flood or famine," Selune replied. "Think a minute. When the good luck is all gone, what will be left?"
"Nothing but bad luck," Jas said, beginning to sense what the regal goddess was driving at.
"Perhaps another power could conceal from Tymora's senses any adventurers who call on her," Finder suggested. 'That should help to control her releases of power."
Selune nodded. "Lathander might be able to do that. I will speak with him. Wait here." The goddess vanished.
Joel went to Finder's side. "Will you be going to investigate Beshaba?" he asked softly.
Winnie flashed a look of utter disbelief at Joel. "He really is one of the clueless, isn't he?" the halfling priestess asked Finder.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jas snapped, glaring at Winnie.
"Easy, Jasmine," Finder warned. "No," he said to Joel, "I will do everything I can for Tymora, but I don't dare approach Beshaba's realm. She would detect another power in an instant. For another god to enter her realm without invitation would be tantamount to a declaration of war. And Beshaba is Tymora's equal in power. In a fight with her, I wouldn't stand a chance."
"But Selune is more powerful than Beshaba, isn't she?" Joel asked.
"Selune will do what she can to avoid a war with another power," Finder replied. "It's a messy business."
"We'll have to send in a discreet party on a reconnaissance mission," Winnie explained. "They'll have to take care not to set off any magical alarms that Beshaba may have cast upon her realm. If they cannot stop whatever it is that is draining my lady's power, if they find there is nothing to be done short of warring with Beshaba, then Selune may act."
"I can go on your behalf," Joel said to Finder.
Finder smiled sadly at his priest. "I know you would do anything for me, but you don't realize the dangers you would be facing. Beshaba's realm is in the Abyss, a place of infinite evil, cruelty, and bloody war. Moreover, the nature of the realm will weaken your ability to cast your priestly spells."
"If Beshaba has set up magical alarms, it will be to warn her of the arrival of the minions of Tymora or Selune, mighty warriors and powerful mages. What could be more harmless than the priest of a god she has no reason to fear?" Joel insisted. "I can at least spy out the territory."
"He has a point," Winnie said.
Finder shot Winnie a withering glare.
Joel set a hand on his god's arm and said, "When you were forced to trade the Hand of Bane in return for your power, you let me make the decision. You trusted me to make the right one for all involved. I know your heart, Finder. Let me help."
"I'll go with Joel," Jas said. "I'll keep him out of trouble."
Finder looked at Jas with surprise. It was unlike the winged woman to volunteer for anything dangerous. "Why?" Finder asked.
Jas threw up her hands. "You heard Selune. If we don't stop this, the Realms will run out of good luck. Everyone will be at Beshaba's mercy. I've been away for ten years, but Toril is still my home." She shrugged. "Besides, Tymora tried to help me."
"Is this the same Abyss where the Queen of Darkness reigns?" Emilo asked.
"Who?" Joel asked.
Finder sighed. "On Emilo's world," the god explained, "all the Lower Planes are referred to as the Abyss. The Queen of Darkness