Windwalker - Elaine Cunningham [68]
He seized her arm and forced her into step with him. In two paces, they stood in his private study.
Shakti tried not to look disconcerted at finding herself so abruptly transported. She carefully edged away. "An honor, one I had not thought would come so soon."
"Call it a test, if you will. I take it my summons was clear?"
"Pelucid, my lord."
"It's well that something is," he grumbled. "Your story was entertaining after a fashion, but your reasoning defies logic and reason. Matron Triel believes that Liriel is alive, and that it is Lolth's will that her niece continues on the surface in possession of the Windwalker amulet. What do you suppose my dear sister's reaction might be, if I have-and use-this artifact?"
"The goddess is capricious," Shakti said without hesitation. "She favors the devious and the bold. If you have the Windwalker amulet, would it not seems obvious that Lolth's favor has shifted away from Liriel?"
"So many will say," Gromph admitted. "All things that happen under this stone sky are attributed to the will of Lolth. Very well, bring me the Windwalker if you can. I will put a mercenary band under your control."
"Better to have them meet me beyond the city," she suggested. She took a tube from her flowing sleeve and shook out a large map, which she unrolled on the table. "Here are the tunnels under the land of Rashemen," she said, pointing. "This is the homeland of Liriel's human lover. After her death, he claimed the Wind-walker. He will return it to the witches who rule there."
"A human?" Gromph repeated with distaste. "Is this true, or is it another of those unpleasant lies that you think can masquerade as truth?"
Shakti's eyes showed a flicker of panic. "Does it matter, as long as the Windwalker is yours?"
Gromph shrugged. "Not really. I will dispatch the fighters at once." He dismissed her with a curt flick of one hand then added, "One more thing."
She turned back. He handed her a tiny crystal vial. "When the time is right, this will speed your mother's demise. Matron Kin-uere does not sit on the Council of Eight. Prove yourself as matron mother, and your family's fortunes may swiftly improve. Now go, and serve yourself and me."
The priestess responded with a brilliant smile. Gromph noted, to his great surprise, that she had become attractive. Not beautiful, as Sosdrielle Vandree had been, but few drow could matched Liriel's mother for beauty, not even her daughter.
He felt a rare twinge of regret, an emotion quickly banished. He had not thought of his long-time mistress for many years.
Shakti waited politely. Gromph realized that he was staring. "Why do you delay?" he snapped. "You have been dismissed."
The priestess bowed. With a gesture, she conjured a curtained gate. Five skeletal snakes rose from the folds of her robe and ceremoniously peeled the drapes aside. She walked through. The curtains fell then disappeared.
It was an impressive exit, Gromph had to give her that. Not incidentally, it was a reminder that Lolth's favor was with her. In many ways, Gromph was far more powerful, but as the priestess had just demonstrated, true power in Menzoberranzan ultimately came through the goddess.
Perhaps this human artifact, this Windwalker, might offer options he had not previously considered.
CHAPTER NINE
fighting drow
In a small clearing in the High Forest, the dark elven priestesses of the Wildwinds Coven gathered around the embers of their fire, listening with grim fascination to Thorn's terse recitation of Liriel's recent past. From time to time their red-eyed glances licked like twin flames toward the place where the puzzling young drow and her companion stood, just beyond the range of hearing and under heavy guard.