Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol II - By Richard A. Knaak Page 0,389

I have succeeded where the founders failed! I will bring to this world the successors they failed to create! There will be so much to do—

“And you want us to guide you!” At last Sharissa understood their place in the outcast’s vision. It had broken away from the others after countless millennia of absolute loyalty. “The Vraad manipulated their world for generations, but you, for all the time you’ve existed, have little or no experience at this! All your existence you have served the founders’ wishes!”

Faunon found this incredible. “He wants us to help him control the lands!”

You will help me… or I will let you leave.

The trio stood there for several seconds, waiting for some clarification, but the guardian was silent. Finally, her patience already thin, Sharissa took it upon herself to ask the fatal question. “What sort of threat is that? What waits for us out there?”

The eyes were joined by the vague outline of a tremendous beast—possibly a wolf. From the way it winked in and out of existence, it was obvious that the outcast was testing forms, trying to find one that pleased it. While we have talked—for longer than you think—the new kings of the land are being born.

Her eyes widened. She had thought that their conversation had been delaying the work of the guardian.

Your thoughts, Sharissa Zeree, and those of your companions, are mine as well. It chuckled again, taking amusement in their confusion and realization.

“What’s happening above?” Gerrod demanded. “What’s happening to my people?”

Concern? For them? I am merely bringing out their true nature—both here and in the splendid citadel they have built. They were worthy of rule before, but now their success is guaranteed!

While Gerrod stared without seeing, his mind on his brethren and the fate the renegade had cast for them, Sharissa sought some way to turn back what had been set in motion. “Your own kind will not permit this, guardian! The land itself, the legacy of your masters, will stir at this affront! You’ve broken the most sacred of laws set down by the founders!”

She had hoped to stir uneasiness, but the entity was gloating, not fearful. The land sleeps for as long as I will it and those others like me have left this plane. They will not know what occurs until after it is done and I have proved myself!

The warlock, meanwhile, had stirred himself to life once more. He took a step toward the barely seen outline in the dark and shouted, “Damn you! I’m asking again! What have you done to them?”

The laughter again. We will see how well they truly follow the totem of the drake. Gerrod turned around, seeking the entrance to this cavern. “I’ve got to go to them! Warn them!”

“You hate them!” Faunon quickly reminded him. Nonetheless, the elf, too, looked as if he wanted to find any path leading away.

The hooded Tezerenee did not deign to reply, but Sharissa understood. Gerrod cared for his clan, for individuals within it. His hatred was for those who ruled it—his father, Reegan, Lochivan—and he was not even willing to consign those three to whatever fate the guardian had in mind.

There is no way out of here, came the triumphant voice in their heads. And you would only suffer the same fate as they.

“It’s true,” Faunon whispered to Sharissa. “I cannot find a passage anywhere!” A living fury came among them. Gerrod, looking all too much like the drake that his people looked to as their symbol, confronted the elemental. There was a stirring of power like none that the sorceress had felt in fifteen years. In fact, it reminded her of only one thing, but the intensity of it was beyond what should have been available to the warlock.

Vraad sorcery. Oh, Gerrod! She shook her head in disbelief and reached out with her senses to verify the horror before her. You’ve broken the barrier between worlds! You’ve let the foulness that we created seep into our midst!

She understood some of why he had performed the unthinkable, but that did not forgive him—even if this proved to be enough to aid them in escaping.

A quake rocked the cavern as the warlock unleashed a tangle of glowing, scarlet tendrils at where the guardian supposedly was.

“The curse of the Vraad!” Faunon snarled, emotions in turmoil. He had told her that his legends spoke of the way of the Vraad race, yet she knew that while he loathed what Gerrod represented, he, like her, hoped it would