JК
The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 54 из 212"Do you think him incapable of transforming himself into a lich?"
Andris had no answer. The specter of an undead Akhlaur dwarfed any possible response into insignificance.
"There is more," the elf woman went on. "It was Akhlaur who created the laraken, fashioning it so that whatever magic the monster absorbed would pass to its master. Now the laraken is again within Akhlaur's grasp. That can only speed his return to power and to Halruaa. When he emerges-and eventually he will-alive or dead, it matters not-it will be as the most powerful deathwizard Halruaa has ever known. If he is to be stopped, it must be now."
Andris nodded slowly, seeing a thread of logic in Kiva's complicated tapestry. How could she avenge herself and her people if the wizard responsible for so much suffering was beyond her grasp? Given what he knew of Kiva, her plan involved more than a simple spellbattle confrontation. He did not exactly trust Kiva, but if at the end Akhlaur was vanquished once and for all, wasn't that worth the risk?
The elves seemed equally conflicted. "I am called Nadage," the elf spokesman said at last "I am a scout and warrior. What you suggest is a matter for the elders."
"There is little time," Kiva protested. "Such a trip would take days."
"Not so. When humans were first spotted in the forest pass, battle preparations began. We can reach our camp by nightfall. You will come and speak before the People."
Without further discussion, the elves turned and headed westward. Kiva gave Andris a little shove, and they fell into step behind.
"Perhaps it was a mistake for me to come with you," Andris observed softly. "They seem reluctant to speak their minds before strangers."
"It is not the elven way. I was born in this jungle, but I have been gone for many years. You'll notice that they did not welcome me with joy or offer to gossip about all that has happened since I left."
"They disapprove of mixed blood?"
Kiva gave a derisive sniff. "You jordaini have a talent for understatement."
Andris found this painful, but logical. "Reasonable enough, given the dwindling numbers of elves. I assume they perceive elfbloods as a threat?"
She sent him a small, hard smile. "If they considered you a threat, you'd be dead. Did you notice that they did not look at you?"
"Yes, but I was too busy being glad they didn't shoot at me to worry about it overmuch," Andris responded. After a moment's consideration he added, "Perhaps I owe my life to the fact that they thought me already dead."
"That's very close. They called you karasanzor.
Andris had no answer. The specter of an undead Akhlaur dwarfed any possible response into insignificance.
"There is more," the elf woman went on. "It was Akhlaur who created the laraken, fashioning it so that whatever magic the monster absorbed would pass to its master. Now the laraken is again within Akhlaur's grasp. That can only speed his return to power and to Halruaa. When he emerges-and eventually he will-alive or dead, it matters not-it will be as the most powerful deathwizard Halruaa has ever known. If he is to be stopped, it must be now."
Andris nodded slowly, seeing a thread of logic in Kiva's complicated tapestry. How could she avenge herself and her people if the wizard responsible for so much suffering was beyond her grasp? Given what he knew of Kiva, her plan involved more than a simple spellbattle confrontation. He did not exactly trust Kiva, but if at the end Akhlaur was vanquished once and for all, wasn't that worth the risk?
The elves seemed equally conflicted. "I am called Nadage," the elf spokesman said at last "I am a scout and warrior. What you suggest is a matter for the elders."
"There is little time," Kiva protested. "Such a trip would take days."
"Not so. When humans were first spotted in the forest pass, battle preparations began. We can reach our camp by nightfall. You will come and speak before the People."
Without further discussion, the elves turned and headed westward. Kiva gave Andris a little shove, and they fell into step behind.
"Perhaps it was a mistake for me to come with you," Andris observed softly. "They seem reluctant to speak their minds before strangers."
"It is not the elven way. I was born in this jungle, but I have been gone for many years. You'll notice that they did not welcome me with joy or offer to gossip about all that has happened since I left."
"They disapprove of mixed blood?"
Kiva gave a derisive sniff. "You jordaini have a talent for understatement."
Andris found this painful, but logical. "Reasonable enough, given the dwindling numbers of elves. I assume they perceive elfbloods as a threat?"
She sent him a small, hard smile. "If they considered you a threat, you'd be dead. Did you notice that they did not look at you?"
"Yes, but I was too busy being glad they didn't shoot at me to worry about it overmuch," Andris responded. After a moment's consideration he added, "Perhaps I owe my life to the fact that they thought me already dead."
"That's very close. They called you karasanzor.