The Abolethic Sovereignty 02 - City of Torment by Forgotten Realms

Author:Forgotten Realms [Forgotten Realms]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-08T16:34:37+00:00

She wasn't ready to move on. "And where were you when I finished my ritual? You're the reason we're putting ourselves at such risk."

Raidon replied, "You're right, Seren. Please forgive me. My thoughts were elsewhere. I hope my lapse didn't cause you any lasting harm." He didn't look away as he spoke.

Seren had expected some sort of excuse or defense. She was put off by the simple apology. This one saw the world differently than most, that was certain. She wasn't sure she liked it. Maybe he thought his example would move her to apologize for not disclosing her time with the Red Wizards.

"Well," broke in Thoster, "I wasn't on deck because I have a ship to run. I guess I figured your warning was more for form than anything else. From now on, Seren, if you say jump, I'll ask how high."

Seren felt her mouth quirk toward a smile. The captain had that effect on her sometimes. Her defensive anger began to drain.

The captain continued, "What say we give this expedition a day before we start? I could—"

Raidon said, "Thoster, time is precious. We must find Xxiphu. We must quell what is likely waking even as we speak."

The sword on Raidon's back shifted, giving voice to a low, whispery tone, as if agreeing with its master.

The captain's grin dissolved.

"Xxiphu won't wait for us," said the monk.

Thoster raised one hand in a placatory gesture. His other still held the rents of his clawed garments closed. "Hold on! I ain't backing out. I just want to give everyone a chance to be at their best. Me especially."

Raidon said, "Now is the time. We should begin our journey down." He nodded up at the gleamtails swarming around the ship's periphery. "Are we ready?"

Seren took a deep breath. Though the slaads' attack had rattled her, they hadn't disrupted the ritual. The gleamtails were present and keyed to Green Siren. Thanks to her.

She nodded. "Yes, we're ready. The magic is set. It should last a tenday at minimum. And you're right—the sooner we start, the longer the trip we can make. It wouldn't do for the school to break up while we're still below. The ship and all aboard would be crushed to flinders quicker than it takes to describe."

Raidon said, "That's a risk I am willing to take."

Thoster made a choking sound. Seren frowned.

She wondered if the half-elf had a death wish. Being crushed was not a risk she was willing to take. Which was why she'd modified the ritual even more than she'd described to Raidon. If the gleamtail jack school broke up prematurely, Seren had the option of bodily returning with them to the

Chaos. Not the safest escape hatch, but far superior to staying behind in a ship suddenly unprotected from the weight of a continent.

She cleared her throat and motioned to Raidon. "Stand here in the center of the circle, where I've marked. This is the focus of the ritual. From here you can direct the school."

"Anyone can command the gleamtails?" wondered Thoster.

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