presently spoke. A hill dwarf, and one very much familiar to her.
Rom. So his comment about searching the tunnels had not entirely been truth. But who did he speak with
and why did the elf not hear that one? Had the dwarf gone mad? Did he talk with himself ?
Rom did not speak now save to acknowledge that he understood what his silent companion said.
Risking discovery, Vereesa edged toward the corridor from which the dwarf 's voice came. She leaned
around just enough in order to observe him with one eye.
The dwarf sat on a rock, staring down into his cupped palms, from which a faint, vermilion glow
radiated. Vereesa squinted, trying to see what he held.
With some difficulty, she made out a small medallion with what appeared to be a jewel in the center.
Vereesa did not have to be a wizard like Rhonin to recognize an object of power, an enchanted talisman
created by magic. The great elven lords utilized similar devices in order to communicate with either their
counterparts or their servants.
What wizard, though, now spoke with Rom? Dwarves were not known for their fondness for magic nor,
for that matter, for their fondness for the ones who wielded it.
If Rom had links to a wizard, one whom the dwarf apparently even served, why did he and his band still
wander the tunnels, hoping for the day when they might be free to walk under the heavens? Surely this
great spellcaster could have done something for them.
“What?”Rom suddenly blurted. “Where?”
With startling swiftness, he looked up, his gaze focusing directly on her.
Vereesa backed out of sight, but she knew her reaction had been too late. The dwarven leader had
spotted her, even despite the darkness.
“Come out where I can see ye!” he called. When she hesitated, Rom added, “I know 'tis ye, Lady
Vereesa. . . .”
Seeing no more reason for subterfuge, the ranger stepped into the open. She made no attempt to
sheathe her sword, not at all certain that Rom might not be a traitor to his own people, much less her.
She found him eyeing her in disappointment. “Here I thought I'd gone far away enough to avoid them
sharp, elven ears! Why did ye have to come here?”
“My intent was innocent, Rom. I only needed to walk. Your intent, however, leaves many questions. . .
.”
“This business is none of ye concern—eh?”
The gemstone in the medallion briefly flared, startling both of them. Rom tipped his head slightly to the
side, as if again listening to the unheard speaker. If so, then he clearly did not like what he heard.
“Do ye think it wise—aye, as ye say. . . .”
Vereesa tightened her grip on her sword. “Who do you speak with?” To her surprise, Rom held out the medallion. “He'll tell ye himself.” When she did not take the proffered
medallion, he added, “He's a friend, not a foe.”
Still wielding the sword, the elf reached out with her free hand and gingerly took hold of the talisman.
She waited for a jolt or searing heat, but the medallion actually felt cool, harmless.
My greetings to you, Vereesa Windrunner.
The words echoed in her skull. Vereesa nearly dropped the medallion, not because of the voice, but
rather that the speaker knew her name. She glanced at Rom, who seemed to encourage her to converse.
Who are you?the ranger demanded, sending her own thoughts toward the unseen speaker.
Nothing happened. She glanced again at the dwarf.
“Did he say anything to ye?”
“In my mind he did. I replied the same way, but he does not answer back.”
“Ye have to talk to the talisman! He'll hear ye voice as thought on his end. The same when he speaks to
ye.” The canine features looked apologetic. “I've no reason why 'tis so, but that's the way it works. . . .”
Returning her gaze to the medallion, Vereesa tried again. “Who are you?”
You know me through my missives to your superiors. I am Krasus of the Kirin Tor.
Krasus? That had been the name of the wizard who had arranged with the elves for Vereesa to guide
Rhonin to the sea in the first place. She knew little more about him than that her masters had reacted with
respect when presented with his request. Vereesa knew of few other humans who could command such
from any elven lord.
“I know your name. You are also Rhonin's patron.”
A pause. Anuneasypause if the ranger were any judge.I am responsible for his journey.
“You know that he may be a prisoner of the orcs?”
I do. It was not intended.
Not intended? Vereesa felt an unreasonable fury arise within her. Not intended?
His mission was to observe, after all. Nothing more.
The elf had long ago ceased believing that. “Observe from where? The dungeons of Grim Batol? Or was
he to meet with the hill dwarves for some reason you have not stated?”
Another pause. Then,The situation is far more complex than that, young one, and growing more so by
the moment. Your presence, for instance, was not part of the plan. You should have turned around at the
seaport. “I swore an oath. I felt that it extended beyond the shores of Lordaeron.”
Near her, Rom wore a befuddled look. Bereft of the means by which to speak to the wizard, he could
only guess at Krasus's end of the conversation and to what Vereesa's responses might refer.
Rhonin is . . . fortunate,Krasus finally replied.
“If he still lives,” she nearly snapped.
Yet again, the wizard hesitated before answering. Why did he act as he did? Surely he did not care what
befell Rhonin. Vereesa knew enough about the ways of the spellcasters, both human and elf, to
understand that their kind ever used each other if given the opportunity. It only surprised her that Rhonin,
who had seemed more clever, had fallen for this Krasus's trickery.
Yes . . . if he still lives. . . .More hesitation.. . . then it is up to us to see what can be done to free him.
His reply completely startled her. She had hardly expected it of him.
Vereesa Windrunner, hear me out. I have made some lapses in judgment—for great concerns—and the
fate of Rhonin is one of those lapses. You intend to try to find him, do you not?
“I do.”
Even in the mountain fortress of the orcs? A place of dragons, too?
“Yes.”
Rhonin is fortunate to have you as a comrade . . . and I hope to be as fortunate now. I will do what I can
to aid you in this formidable quest, although the physical danger will be yours, of course.
“Ofcourse,”the elf wryly returned.
Please return the talisman to Rom. I would speak with him for a moment.
More than willing to part with the wizard's tool, Vereesa handed the medallion back to the dwarf. Rom
took it and stared into the jewel. Occasionally he nodded his head, although clearly whatever Krasus said
bothered him much.
Finally, he looked up at Vereesa. “If ye really think it necessary . . .”
She realized his words were for the wizard. A moment later, the glow from the jewel dimmed. Rom,
looking not at all happy, extended the talisman to the elf.
“What is this?”
“He wants ye to have it for the journey. Here! He'll tell ye himself!”
Vereesa took the object back. Immediately Krasus's voice filled her head again.Rom told you that I
wished you to carry this?
“Yes, but I do not want—”
Do you wish to find Rhonin? Do you wish to save him?
“Yes, but—”
I am your only hope.
She would have argued with him, but, in truth, the ranger knew that she needed aid. With only Falstad
and herself, the odds already stood stacked against her.
“All right. What do we do?”
Place the talisman around your neck, then return with Rom to the others. I will guide you and your
dwarven companion into the mountain . . . and to the most likely place where you might find Rhonin.
He did not offer all she needed, but enough to make her agree. Slipping the chain over her head,
Vereesa let the medallion rest upon her chest.
You will be able to hear me whenever I wish it, Vereesa Windrunner.
Rom walked past her, already heading back. “Come! We're wasting time, lady elf.”
As she followed, Krasus continued to talk to her.Make no mention of what this medallion does. Do not
even speak around others unless I give permission. Only Rom and Gimmel presently know my role.
“And what is that?” she could not help muttering.
Trying to preserve a future for us all.
The elf wondered about that, but said nothing. She still did not trust the wizard, but had little other
choice.
Perhaps Krasus knew that, for he added,Hear me now, Vereesa Windrunner. I may tell you to do things
you might not think in the best interests of you or those you care about. Trust that they are. There are
dangers ahead you do not understand, dangers that alone you cannot face.
And you understand them all?Vereesa thought, knowing that Krasus would not hear the question.
There is still a short period of time before the sun sets. I must attend to a matter of import. Do not depart
from the tunnels until I give you the word. Farewell for now, Vereesa Windrunner.
Before she could protest, his voice had faded away. The ranger cursed under her breath. She had
accepted the spellcaster's questionable aid, now she had to obey his commands. Vereesa did not like at
all putting her life— not to mention Falstad's—in the hands of a wizard who commanded from the safety
of his far-off tower.
Worse, the elf had just put their lives in the hands of the same wizard who had sent Rhonin on this insane
journey in thefirstplace . . . and seemingly left him to die.
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