Windwalker - Elaine Cunningham [142]
Her golden eyes sought him, but she could go no further that this. Neither could she bring herself to leave. What was there left for her in the world she knew but elusive starlight and lingering shadows?
A sharp slap dragged her suddenly back into her body.
Liriel's eyes flew open. The lythari leaned over her, hand upraised for another of her trademark "rescues." The drow caught Thorn's wrist.
"Do that again and you'll be running on three feet instead of four," she warned.
"What's this?" Sharlarra said warily.
The drow dragged herself to her feet. "Explain it to her. I've got something to do."
Between the three of them they managed to lift Fyodor's body to the back of a beautiful gray horse. Liriel stood and watched them go with dry eyes. The farewell that mattered had been spoken.
One more battle awaited her. She would have this done today, one way or another.
She turned around, not at all surprised to see Shakti Hunzrin waiting for her. Her gaze dropped to the skeletal whip writhing in agitation by the priestess's side, and she gave a resigned sigh. "Let's get this over with."
"Matron Triel wants you back in Menzoberranzan," Shakti announced.
This information stunned Liriel into silence. After a long moment, she asked, "You would take me there? Alive?"
"If that is what Triel wants, yes."
It was on the tip of Liriel's tongue to ask what Gromph wanted. Since the day she'd left the Underdark, she'd never been certain whether the forces he'd sent after her were trying to find her or kill her.
In truth, it did not matter. As far as Liriel was concerned, her father was dead. Hrolf, the pirate who had loved her, who had wanted nothing from her but her happiness, had died on Ruathym.
She managed a contemptuous half-smile. "Would you be shocked if I told you that Triel's desires are not first thing that come to mind when I awaken?"
"So you will not return?
"No. Kill me now, or try to."
Shakti nodded as if she had expected this. "If the drow of Menzoberranzan learn that you live, they will never stop seeking you. You know this."
Liriel nodded.
"There is another way." Her crimson eyes dropped to the mask that still hung from Liriel's belt.
She understood at once and tugged the mask free. Shakti tied it to her belt. The mask remembered its former wearer, and the priestess took on Liriel's form-and something more.
A measure of Lolth's dark glory shone through the priestess's borrowed amber eyes.
"This is what you have lost," Shakti proclaimed in a voice filled with power. "In choosing service over power, you have made your choice. Yet what has it profited you? You have lost the favor of Eilistraee. You are alone. You are nothing."
Dark laughter rose on the wind, and the insane light faded from Shakti's eyes. The satisfaction there was entirely her own.
"Matron Triel might claim otherwise, but she wants you dead. You have lost Lolth's favor, which is even better. I think the arch-mage will quickly accustom himself to his daughter's loss, but if Gromph comes to suspect that you are alive and becomes troublesome in his demands to have you back, we will have a means to quiet him. Better yet, he would view this-" Shakti broke off and gestured contemptuously to her borrowed form- "as a pawn to use in his pathetic little intrigues. Triel will know of these games, and, through me, will be able to thwart the foolish male at every turn."
"Gromph is not easily fooled, and you have no wizard's spells. I suppose you've thought of a solution to that, too."
Shakti's eyes dropped to the Windwalker.
Liriel handed it over without hesitation. It had purchased Fyodor's freedom. Now it would purchase hers. Its power was spent. It had done all the damage it would do. Let Shakti