Ascendancy of the Last - By Lisa Smedman Page 0,41
coming into contact with the barrier by random chance are small.”
The Nightshadow flicked a hand. Something’s happening.
“What is it?” Cavatina hissed. “The ethereal ooze?”
The Nightshadow shook his head. He slid his fingers along the intricate carving that formed the frame of the arch. “The stone feels warm,” he whispered back. “I think the portal may be activating.”
“Finally!” Leliana exclaimed. “Go on through, Naxil.”
The Nightshadow started to move toward the arch. Cavatina caught his shoulder. “One moment, Naxil.”
He halted. “Lady?”
“Once we’re back in the Promenade, say nothing of the planar breach until I’ve had a chance to report it to the battle-mistress. We don’t want to start a panic.” The real reason, of course, was that she didn’t want it known she’d seen the planar breach first-hand. If word of that reached Qilué’s ears, the high priestess would realize that Horaldin had not only recognized her portal for what it was, but had led Cavatina to it.
Naxil bobbed his head. “Of course, Dark Lady.”
“Off you go, then,” Cavatina said.
“Wait for me on the other side, Naxil,” Leliana added. “I’ll guide you to the Hall of Healing.”
“Someone else can take him there,” Cavatina said. “Battle-mistress Rylla will want to hear your observations, as well.”
“But it will only take a moment to”
Cavatina held up a warning finger. “You’re coming with me. That’s an order, Protector.”
The Nightshadow crouched by the arch, waiting.
Leliana’s cheeks darkened, but she made no further proŹtest. “Go on through, Naxil,” she said gently. “I’ll catch up to you once I’ve made my report.”
He nodded, crawled forward into seemingly solid stone, and disappeared.
As soon as he had gone, Leliana wheeled on Cavatina. “There’s something you’re not telling me. What is it?”
Cavatina sighed. Suddenly, she felt utterly exhausted. “Rylla will explain.”
“What about Lady Qilué? She’ll want to hear our report too. Has she been called back to the Promenade?”
Cavatina hid her wince at the use of the high priestess’s name. She resisted the urge to glance around. Was Qilué now listening in on their conversation? Was Wendonai? “She’ll be contacted, if Rylla deems it necessary.”
” ‘Necessary?’” Leliana repeated, her voice incredulous. “Of course it’s necessary that Qilué”
“Lady Leliana,” Cavatina said sternly. “This portal may only remain active for a short time, and we don’t want to be trapped down here. Step through it, please. Promptly.”
Visibly fuming, Leliana at last stepped into the portal. As the Protector disappeared, Cavatina briefly closed her eyes. If Qilué had been corrupted by a demon, the Promenade was in danger from two fronts: from without and within.
What was it that Qilué had said, when she’d ordered the attack on the Acropolis of the death goddess? The memory of that conversation returned like a chilling premonition. “Cut off the head, and the temple will fall.”
“Eilistraee protect us,” Cavatina whispered. “Grant that it not be so.”
She squared her shoulders and walked through the “stone” that filled the arch. A heartbeat later, she emerged on the other side, within the Hall of Empty Arches. Leliana and Naxil stood there, together with Rylla, who must have been called to the hall the moment the portal reactivated.
Qilué was just behind them.
Cavatina exchanged glances with Rylla as they followed Qilué back to the Hall of the Priestesses. Leliana was with them, but Naxil had been led away to the Hall of Healing. Just as wellthat was one less person who might let something slip in Qilué’s presence. Cavatina noticed Rylla toying with a strand of hair. The battle-mistress was keeping her hand close to her holy symbol.
Qilué walked at the front of the group, looking imperious in her silver robe. She never once looked back at her priestesses, expecting them to follow her without question or pause, as they always had done. The scabbard at her hip was empty, and Qilué held the Crescent Blade in her hand. Its blade rested lightly on her shoulder, just below her ear. Cavatina wondered if the sword were whispering to the high priestess, even now.
“Praise Eilistraee you’ve returned, Lady Qilué,” Cavatina said. Her fingers moved in a silent question at her side, where only Rylla would see them. When?
Just now, Rylla replied.
Cavatina silently groaned. The high priestess must have heard Leliana speak her nameand the snatch of conversation that had followed. Out loud, Cavatina continued, “We found a portal in one of the tunnels south of the river. It leads to cavŹerns below the level of the old mine. We sighted oozes down there. I’m worried the Pit may have developed a breach.”