The Kingdom of Shadow by Richard A. Knaak

Author:Richard A. Knaak [Knaak, Richard A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Inc
Published: 2002-08-01T06:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

“I think you must be correct, captain,” Zayl quietly answered after studying the figure in detail. “Now that I have had a chance to cast a few spells of detection, I can swear that there is life in it.”

“But how?” Kentril wanted desperately to know. “How could this be? How can this have happened to Mazi?”

The necromancer did not look at all pleased. “I can only assume that Juris Khan has not been forthcoming in his tales.”

“That can’t be! Lord Khan would never do anything like this. You know that.”

“I am as deeply troubled as you by this discovery … and just as confused. I suppose it is quite possible that Lord Khan is also unaware of the true fate of his former friend, and, therefore, one must assume Khan’s daughter is unaware also.”

“Of course she is!” the captain snapped.

Gorst shook his head. “Can you do anything? Can you make him human again?”

“Alas, I fear not. This is far more complex than the curse upon our host. What I have been able to determine is that Gregus Mazi is more than just sealed to the stalactite. He is, in essence, a very part of the mountain. Such a spell cannot be reversed, I’m afraid.”

“But he’s still alive, you said,” persisted the giant.

Zayl shrugged, to Kentril quite clearly disturbed more than he tried to show. “Yes, otherwise my spell to summon his shade would have worked the first time. If it is any comfort, I suspect that if his mind survived after the transformation, then it has long since fallen into total madness. I daresay he suffers no longer.”

“I want to see,” demanded a voice. “Take me out so I can get a good look at him.”

From the pouch, Zayl produced Humbart Wessel’s skull. Gorst looked on with some slight unease but overall more interest. Kentril realized that he had forgotten to tell his second of the necromancer’s unique companion.

Holding the skull up high, Zayl let it examine the ghoulish display. Humbart said nothing save to direct the spellcaster to point the empty eye sockets this way or that.

“Aye, ’tis him,” he remarked rather sadly. “’Tis old Gregus come to a more ill end than myself.”

“Did you sense anything?” the necromancer asked. “Any hint of who might have done this?”

“This is powerful sorcery, lad. I can’t tell. Believe me, I’m sorry. You’re right on one thing, though; this can’t be changed. There’s no way to make him human again.”

Kentril tried hard not to think of what it must have been like for the man. Had he suffered much? Had it been as Zayl had suggested, that perhaps Gregus Mazi had been cursed to this form with his mind still functioning? All those centuries trapped like that, unable to move, unable to do anything?

“But why?” the captain finally asked. “Why do this? It looks like more than punishment. You saw what happened, Zayl. He let out a scream that alerted those winged beasts!”

“Yes … apparently he is part of some method of warning.

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