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.Two of the basalt columns tilted crazily and tumbled off their plinths toward the tomb's center.A huge chunk of the ceiling gave way, and the mosaic exploded against the floor.Caledan dropped to his knees.Chunks of flying stone and shards of tile cut into his skin, yet he kept his grip on Mari."Look at the door!" Kellen shouted.Caledan jerked his head up to see the two massive slabs of onyx slowly closing.He could see now that it was not magic that had opened the doors after all, but a simple lead counterweight hanging from a chain.With that last tremor, the iron chain had snapped and was now slipping freely through a pulley.With impressive quickness Ferret dashed forward, sprang into the air, and caught the rising end of the chain.The onyx doors continued to swing shut.The chain carried the thief higher.Then the doors began to slow.Finally they came to a halt, leaving an open space barely two feet wide between them.Ferret dangled at least a dozen feet above the floor, swinging slowly from side-to-side, a crooked-toothed grin on his face.Another tremor shook the tomb.With a groan the doors swung shut a few more inches."I'm not sure I can hold on much longer," Ferret shouted down."Get through the door.Ill follow.""Crazy thief," Caledan muttered, but with Mari in his arms, he slipped through the narrow opening with Kellen on his heels.Estah and Morhion followed moments later.Caledan peered back through the doorway at the thief still dangling from the chain."All right, Ferret, we're on the other side," Caledan-called through the doorway."Now you-""Caledan, don't you see?" Estah said fearfully."Once Ferret lets go of that chain, the doors will shut.He'll be trapped.Ferret, don't let go!" she cried through the doorway."It's all right, Estah," Ferret called to them.He still wore his grin, but there was sorrow in his dark eyes."It's just my greedy nature.You see, I want to keep all of the treasure in the tomb for myself.You understand, don't you?"Tears streamed down Estah's cheeks."Yes, Ferret.I do understand.""Don't do this, you idiot thief!" Caledan shouted.He laid Mari down, ready to dash through the doorway, but he was too late.“Tell Tyveris good-bye for me," Ferret called out in his raspy voice.The thief let go of the chain, and the onyx doors closed with a boom."Ferretl" Caledan screamed.He slammed into the doorway, trying to dig his fingers into the crack to pry open the ponderous slabs of stone.But it was no use."You cannot open those doors, Caldorien," Morhion said solemnly.Caledan slumped, bowing his head against the door.He knew the mage was right.The blasted mage was always right.Another tremor shook the stone around them.Dust rained down from the ceiling."We have to go, Caledan," Estah said, her voice thick with grief."Mari needs you now.And Kellen, too."Slowly, Caledan stood up, nodding grimly.He took Mari's form in his arms once again and looked at Kellen, who stood bravely beside him."Let's get out of here," he said.Their flight upward through the dark, labyrinthine tunnels was like a nightmare, a nightmare Caledan thought would never end.His lungs burned as if they were on fire; his heart felt as if it was going to burst.But he did not slow his pace.He clutched Mari against his chest, his knuckles as white as her pale face.Estah, Kellen, and Morhion followed close behind.Finally they reached the dungeons below the tower.They came to a large, circular chamber and saw the remnants of what looked to have been a ferocious battle.Corpses littered the slate floor, which was dark and slick with blood.Many were Zhentarim, but many looked to be cityfolk as well.Caledan could not be certain of which there were more.The air was hazy and stifling with the reek of torches.He dashed up the flight of stone steps, two at time.After what seemed an eternity of climbing, Caledan burst outside into the blessedly clear night.Kellen, Estah, and Morhion were only paces behind him.Each of them was coated with dust, covered with bruises and scratches, but they were alive."Caledan!" a deep bellow rang out in the tower courtyard.Caledan looked up, blinking the dust from his eyes.He saw that the gates in the tower's outer wall had been thrown open.Between them stood a massive, hulking figure with a broad, familiar face.Behind him was a throng of cheering cityfolk."At least the Zhentarim aren't here to greet us," Caledan said, his voice weak.He coughed.Tyveris came striding toward them."The cityfolk have done it, Caledan!" the big Tabaxi announced joyously."Mari and Cormik's plan worked.The Zhentarim are gone.We've driven the curs from the city, those that we didn't lock up in the dungeon, that is!"As soon as Tyveris reached them, his exuberant expression vanished."Let me," he said softly, helping Caledan ease the Harper to the ground.The loremaster looked at Estah with deep concern."You must act swiftly," Morhion said."The enchantment of the tomb will no longer preserve her spirit.""I'm not going to be able to do this alone, Caledan," Estah said, drawing out her silver medallion inscribed with the sign of Eldath.The healer brushed Mari's dark hair from her face, laying an expert hand on her brow.The Harper's features looked deathly."I can make her body whole, but her spirit has already gone far away," Estah explained."You must give her a reason to return to us, Caledan.""Me?" Caledan said, staring at the healer."But the Harper hates me now, Estah.You know that."The wise halfling woman scowled at Caledan [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]