Tymora's Luck - Kate Novak [49]
Emilo could see no one around the fire. The kender wondered if whoever had created the fire was invisible. He watched carefully for shadows across the flame or an outline in the fog and listened for the noise of breathing, but there was no sign of anyone.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Emilo stepped out from behind the boulder and walked right up to the fire. He put a hand out. Heat emanated from the flame. Welcome, Emilo Haversack, a voice whispered inside his head.
Emilo whirled around in surprise, but there was no one behind him.
Turn and look at me, the voice in his head ordered.
Emilo spun around and looked back at the flame. "Are you talking to me, fire?" he asked with amazement.
I am forming thoughts inside your head, the voice explained. The fire is only a manifestation of my being that I created to draw you away from your companions so I could speak with you in private.
"Who are you?" Emilo asked.
Can you not guess? the voice asked. You find yourself in a perilous adventure fraught with gods. Does it surprise you that one of your own gods takes an interest in your safety?
Emilo's jaw dropped. He shook himself. "You're a god, too?" the kender whispered. "Which one are-wait, I know. Are you Sirrion? The Flowing Flame?"
The fire flared high over the halfling's head. Emilo thought he saw a red rose blossoming in the tongues of flame.
I cannot manifest in this dark place for long, kender. You must listen carefully and do as I say.
"Yes, sir," Emilo said with a nod.
You must take the finder's stone from the bard-priest and dispose of it where it will never be found.
"Why?" the kender asked with astonishment.
The stone is cursed. It will lead your friends to their doom, but your companions will not believe you if you try to warn them. They will use the stone anyway, unless you take it from them. Toss it down the mountain so it will never be found. You will find a safer entrance to Beshaba's realm down this hill. When the fog clears, look for the bats returning to the cave.
"But Finder made the stone into a power key. Without it, Joel can't cast spells in the Abyss," Emilo objected.
Joel will need no more spells. Have faith. The path I have prepared for you is clear. Take the finder's stone and throw it away. It is the only way to save your friends.
The fire flared higher, then suddenly vanished. Emilo was left alone in the fog.
The kender turned in the direction of the tarp. Through the fog, he could spy the lantern he'd left in the entrance. He made his way back to the camp and slipped beneath the tarp. Ever so carefully he slid his hand into the rolled-up shirt beneath Joel's head until fingers felt the finder's stone. Slowly he eased it out from beneath the bard's head. Joel stirred slightly as his head sank deeper into the rolled-up shirt, but he did not awaken.
Emilo slipped out of the tent again with an uncomfortable feeling that something wasn't quite right. Once outside, he held up the yellow crystal and examined it. The stone was a thing of beauty. Cut and polished to perfection, it reflected back dozens of Emilos.
It's a shame that it's cursed, Emilo thought. He pulled back his arm to pitch the stone downhill, but he couldn't bring himself to release it. Even though he'd taken it for a good reason, it was still Joel's property. It didn't feel right to cast it away.
Surely, the kender thought, it will be enough to hide it from Joel so he can't use it. Once we find Sirrion's entrance to Beshaba's realm, we'll be safe. Then I can give it back to Joel.
The kender tucked the stone into his knapsack, feeling a little less uneasy about the compromise he'd made.
Offstage
Somewhere in the Prime Material Plane on the world known as Toril in Realmspace, Amberlee Wyvernspur watched from an upper window as her two younger brothers joined the flock of cousins in the courtyard. They were up to some mischief, led, no doubt, by Aunt Julia's twin sons, Tavan and Toran Sudacar. Uncle Giogi's son, Gory, and Amberlee's brothers,