The Double Diamond Triangle Saga 09 - The Diamond by Forgotten Realms

Author:Forgotten Realms [Forgotten Realms]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-08T16:33:32+00:00

A crease became visible across the eyelids, as if the corpse strained to draw them open. Were it

not for the delicate stitchery of the funerary priests, the Open Lord might have, it almost seemed,

gazed back at the crowd gathered to honor his passing.

"Our friend, our comrade, our leader…" The priest of Ao let his grand words roll down the chapel,

casting an uncertain glance at the lord's casket once more. "Our Piergeiron Paladinson, the Open

Lord of Waterdeep, at last is dead."

He hung his head, and the congregation hung theirs with him, looking up as the white-robed priest

lifted his voice with fresh energy. "Consider his mouth, which once proclaimed law and justice to

we, his people! Lips which once opened in acceptance of this woman, Shaleen, as his bride. A

mouth that will nevermore open again, to guide and reass—"

Said mouth suddenly opened in a roar of terror and loss that, albeit muffled by air-tight glass,

shook the chapel to its foundations. "No!"

Piergeiron's corpse sat up, whacking its head against the glass. The Open Lord fell back only

momentarily onto the richly embroidered velvet before lifting those still-as-stone hands to punch

awkwardly at the curved glass confining him.

"Truly he is dead!" the priest shouted, stumbling back from the horrific sight. He repeated his

declaration loudly, as if hoping to convince the corpse of its demise. "Truly he is dead!"

"Truly he is alive!" someone bellowed from the balcony.

Heads snapped up, but the balcony no longer held he who'd spoken. Once more Khelben

"Blackstaff" Arunsun was sailing above the heads of the cringing congregation in a flurry of black

wool. Someone shrieked.

Khelben descended like a magnificent storm cloud, huge and unstoppable. Lightning seemed to

dash from his furious brows. "Fools! Piergeiron lives! Open the coffin! Bring pry bars, augers and

saws! Where are the crafters? Bring them here! Open that coffin!"

Khelben landed beside Madieron. The man-giant's fists were crashing like twin hammers on the

glass of the Open Lord's casket; it boomed like a thunderous war drum. Piergeiron's own fists

were answering, blow for blow, from within the case.

"It's no good!" Khelben shouted to Madieron, peeling the grieving giant back from the coffin by

main strength. "Yon glass is hard as diamonds—impenetrable! We've got to pop the bolts!"

Craftsmen were scurrying up the aisle now, their rugged wooden toolboxes odd against the

ceremonial garb they'd been given for the funeral. Horns sounded as Watch officers summoned

men to run far and fast in search of tools, all the tools that could be found in the ward and

beyond!

"How many bolts are there?" Khelben snarled, his eyes fairly spitting sparks.

"Fifteen hundred," a smith gulped, looking away from that fiery gaze.

"Well, drill, man! Air holes—hurry!"

As men crouched beside the coffin and lifted their tools to the task, Madieron let out a howl of

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