The Fallen Fortress - By R. A. Salvatore Page 0,60
broke the stone and achieved Gigel Nugel," he began, referring to an ancient test of achievement that Danica had recently completed, "what were your thoughts?"
Danica remembered the incident, and a smile spread wide across her face. "I felt your arm around me," she replied.
Cadderly nodded and pulled her close, kissing her gently on the cheek. "We have so much to show each other," he said.
"My studies might take me away," Danica said, pulling back.
Cadderly laughed aloud. "If they do, then you shall go," he said. "But you will come back to me, or I will go to you. I have faith, Danica, that our chosen paths will nottake us apart I have faith in you, and in myself."
The somber cloud seemed to fly from Danica's fair features. Her grin widened to a dimpled smile, and her brown eyes sparkled with the moisture of joyful tears. She pulled Cadderly back to her, kissing him hard and long.
"Cadderly," she said coyly, as her wistful, mischievous smile sent a stream of thoughts careening through him. A shiver rippled up his spine and then back down again as Danica added, "We are alone."
Much later that night, with the sleeping Danica cradled in his arms and the dwarven snoring continuing its relentless pace, Cadderly rested back against the wall and replayed the conversation.
"How many tyrants have made such a claim?" he whispered to the empty darkness. His considered his course once more, thought of the profound impact his intended actions would have on all the region surrounding Impresk Lake. He believed in his heart that the changes would better everyone, that the library would once again take on the true course of Deneir. He believed that he was right, that his course was inspired by a trusted god. But how many tyrants had made such a claim?
"AH of them," Cadderly answered grimly after a long pause, and he hugged Danica close.
Aballister rested back in his chair, exhausted from his magical assault He had thrown his full weight against Cadderly, had pounded the mountain region mercilessly. The wizard's smile held firm for a long while as he pondered what Cadderly, in the unlikely event that the boy was still alive, might be thinking now.
Aballister felt a tug within his mind, a gentle prodding. It was Druzil, he knew, for he had expected the imp's call. The wizard's smile became an open laugh - what might the imp, who had been so close to Nightglow, think now of him? Anxious to know, he let the imp into his mind. Greetings, dear Druzil, Aballister said. Bene tellemara!
Aballister cackled with glee. My dear, dear Druzil, he thought after a moment, what could be the trouble!
Chapter Fourteen
The imp ripped off a series of outcries, curses, and sput-terings against Aballister and against wizards in general.
Druzil had been caught in the edges of Aballister's storm, had been pelted by hail and nearly sizzled by a lightning blast Now the imp, cold and miserable, only wanted to get back to Castle Trinity. You could come out for me, Druzil telepathically asked.
I have not the energy, came Aballister's expected reply. Since you allowed Cadderly to get away, I was forced to take matters into my own hands. And still I have preparations before me, for the unlikely event that Cadderly or any of his foolish friends survived.
"Bene tellemara" the frustrated imp whispered under his breath. Now that Druzil believed he needed Aballister, he was careful to put up a blocking wall of innocuous thoughts so that the wizard would not hear the insult
Better that I am with you if Cadderly arrives, Druzil replied, trying to find some argument to change the stubborn wizard's mind. With his magic, powerful Aballister could teleport to Druzil's side, scoop the imp up, and put them both safely back in Castle Trinity in a matter of two minutes.
I told you that I was too weary, Aballister's casual thoughts came back - and Druzil understood that Aballister was simply punishing him. Better that you are with me? the wizard scoffed. I sent you on a most important mission, and you failed! Better to face Cadderly alone, I say, than with an unreliable and troublesome imp at my side. I do not yet know what happened to facilitate the destruction of the evil spirit, Druzil, but if I find that you were in any way involved, your punishment will not be pleasant.
More likely it was your own son, Druzil's mind growled back.
The imp felt a wave of unfocused mental energy, an