The Floodgate (Counselors & Kings) by Elaine Cunningham

Author:Elaine Cunningham [Cunningham, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780786961900
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2011-12-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Andris sat alone beyond the light of the campfires, watching in disbelief as Kiva gleefully received the treasure the Crinti bandits had gathered for her. She lifted a moonstone globe in both hands, cooing over it like a fond young mother admiring her babe.

Sternly Andris reminded himself of the importance of their quest. The Cabal was a rot at the very heart of Halruaa. He had to destroy it, not only because of his elf heritage but because he was still a jordain, sworn to serve Halruaa. Kiva was his only ally, his only chance to right this wrong.

All this he told himself. The phrases were as well practiced as a priest’s sunrise chants. Unlike the Azuthan prayers, though, his silent words seemed hollow and false.

He watched the Crinti shower the elf woman with pilfered wealth and grisly trophies. They were particularly proud of a huge skull that looked a bit like a giant sahuagin. Their demeanor was oddly like that of children who courted a parent’s approval but did not expect to get it.

Andris understood all too well that elves shunned and disdained those of mixed blood. Kiva exploited this fact. The simple gift of her presence made her a queen among the Crinti, and her feigned acceptance they embraced as a longed-for sisterhood. They were deceived by Kiva because they wanted to believe.

How well, he wondered, did that also describe him?

Kiva, enthroned on a fur-draped rock near the campfire, was vaguely aware of Andris’s unease, but she was too absorbed in her new treasure to spare much concern. The scrying globe particularly pleased her. She stroked the moonstone, attuning it to her personal power.

Shanair watched with a proud smile. “It is enough?”

“It’s a wonderful treasure,” Kiva assured her. “I will require some time to explore it.”

The Crinti gestured toward the massive skull. “This was fine sport. Will more of these come through the floodgate?”

Andris sat up abruptly, startled by the implication of Shanair’s words. His gaze shot toward the trophy. Firelight danced along the ridges and hollows, making the fanged jaws gleam like a demon’s snarl. It was not a sahuagin nor any creature known to his world!

“The gate will open in time,” Kiva assured her. “This monster is just a taste of what will come.”

Andris leaped to his feet and strode forward. Five Crinti blades halted his progress. Five gray-faced warriors regarded him with searing blue eyes, like small flames amid the ash.

“Kiva has not called for you,” one of them said, eyeing Andris as if he were something she had just scraped off her boot “Know your place, and return to it.”

“Let him speak,” Kiva decreed.

Andris brushed his way past the warriors and crouched at Kiva’s side. Leaning in close so that the watchful Crinti could not hear his words, he said urgently, “You cannot mean to open the gate. The Cabal must be destroyed, but not all Halruaa with it!”

The elf’s golden eyes narrowed and burned. “Need I remind you of the elf city

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