The final shadow mastiff to step onto the square was as large as a warhorse and brutally scarred. All of the other dogs looked to it with deference.
Variance held out her hand and said, 'I would have you be my lieutenant tonight, Rax. Half of these beasts will be your pack. I ask only that you cause the greatest confusion possible.' Her hand swept around the square. 'In return I offer three nights hunting upon Faerun with Shar's blessing.'
The huge dog's eyes narrowed and it let out a growl. Something about the sound of the black beast struck terror deep into Keph's soul.
Variance nodded calmly and said, 'I thank you, Rax. Choose your pack and go. Your territory lies that way.'
She turned and pointedbut not toward Moonshadow Hall or even Fourstaves House. She pointed down a third street.
Directly toward the night-crowded maze of the Stiltways.
Rax growled again and trotted off. Nine of the other mastiffs followed. Variance turned to Keph.
'There is your distraction,' she said. 'You'd best hurry if you want to make the best of it. When you have the tiles, bring them to me at the east wall of Moonshadow Hall. I'll be waiting for you.' Keph stared at her. Her eyebrows arched. 'Go!' she commanded. Her hand jabbed in the direction of Fourstaves House.
Keph whirled and ran. Behind him he could hear Variance as she called out to the cultists, 'Come forward and receive Shar's blessing, for now we join her battle!'
The gout of divine fire lasted only moments, but it left Feena writhing on the floor of the kitchen. Footsteps approachedshe forced herself to roll over and raise her head. Velsinore looked down at her. In her hands she clutched a long iron rod, a spit from the kitchen.
'Tell me, Feena,' she said. 'If Selune is good and Shar is evil, then why does Selune grant me the power to do this to you?'
Feena looked down at her hands. They were burned red and raw. It hurt to flex her fingers. The sleeves of her robe were smoldering. She groaned and sat back on her heels, looking up at Velsinore.
'I asked myself that question when Mother Dhauna forced me to attack her,' Feena snarled. Her lungs burned with every breath. 'This is what I think: Selune grants you power, but you choose how to use it. Selune isn't evil. You are.'
Rage flared in Velsinore's eyes and she swung the rod with both hands. Feena hurled herself aside, tumbling across the kitchen floor. The rod hit the stone of the floor with a resounding clang. Sparks and chips of stone spat from the impact. Velsinore heaved the rod back up and whirled after her, but Feena rolled back to her feet. One hand grabbed for her medallion.
'Bright Lady of the Night, lay your touch upon me!' she prayed.
Cool magic washed over her, soothing the worst of her burns. Feena gasped in relief and dodged back from another wild swing of Velsinore's rod. She darted swiftly to the side of the big cauldron, putting it between her and the tall priestess.
'You asked me another question,' Feena said. 'If you're a traitor, why does Selune still answer your prayers?'
'Do you have a homespun answer to that too?' asked Velsinore. She stalked around the cauldron, but Feena just moved with her. 'Let's hear it.'
'Selune answers your prayers so that you know her power and never forget that she's there for you. She answers your prayers so that one day you will come back to her.'
Velsinore's hands slid to one end of the rod and she swept it out in a wide, flat arc. Feena ducked down and let it hum over her head. Thrusting her weight against the cauldron, she sent the huge pot screeching across the floor. Velsinore gasped and stumbled back. The iron rod went flying from her hands to ring against a distant wall.
Feena darted out. Velsinore had already recovered her balance and stood ready for her. They crouched, circling each other like animals.
'Here's a question for you, Velsinore,' Feena said. 'If the Sharrans are suddenly your friends and allies, what's going to happen to you when they attack Moonshadow Hall?'
'They won't attack. They're too weak, and Bolan is a coward.'
'Bolan doesn't lead them any more in anything but name,' Feena reminded her. 'Variance does and if she's been manipulating us, she's been manipulating them.'
Velsinore's face flushed red. 'You're lying,' she spat.
'You've deluded yourself.' Feena stopped and took a slow step back from Velsinore. 'Come back to Selune. You're wrong, but we all mistakes. Find your faith again and-'
'I'm not the one who's wrong and I haven't lost my faith! I never left Selune, you mangy dog!' Her eyes flashed and the fingers of one hand curled into a sign. 'By the Moonmaiden's light,' she howled, 'let your hidden spirit be revealed!'
When Mother Dhauna had spoken the prayer, Feena had been caught off guard by the attack of a beloved friendbut she had been facing a friend. As silver light shot out from between Velsinore's fingers, Feena threw herself away across the floor. Face grim, Velsinore swept the light to follow her. On a long counter, polished pieces of silver plate had been laid out in preparation for a feast that would never happen. Feena hurled herself into the shadow of the counter just as distant shouts of alarm and confusion came echoing through the corridors and into the kitchen.
'… dark mist! There's a cloud of dark mist on the west side of the temple!'
'Take positions. Get the novices to safety. Someone summon the guard!'
'There's still a crowd outside the gates!'
'Do you hear that, Velsinore?' Feena shouted over the top of the counter. 'That's your friends coming. That's the Sharrans attacking!'
'Focus, Feena,' Velsinore replied. 'You've never had focus. The Sharrans aren't fighting me right now. You are.'
The bright moonbeam of Velsinore's spell wavered overhead as she slid closer to the counter. Feena watched the shadows dance and drew a deep breath.
'Moonmaiden guide me,' she murmured.
She leaped to her feet. Moonlight washed over her, stirring the wolf within and trying to force her body to transform. Teeth clenched, she fought back the transformation as she snatched up a big silver platter from the counter and held it up like a shield.
Reflected moonlight flashed back at Velsinore.
Magic intended to affect a lycanthrope had no effect on her, but the sudden reflection of light was dazzling. Velsinore's free hand shot up to block it and she glanced away out of instinct. In that brief moment, Feena jumped up on the counter and leaped at her with an angry shout.
'Selune!'
Velsinore gasped and tried to duck, but she wasn't fast enough. Feena's arm caught her around the chest. The two priestesses slammed to the floor, locked in struggle. Moonlight winked out. Feena managed to get an arm around Velsinore's neck in a chokehold, but Velsinore slid her arms free. One hand scrabbled for her medallion. Feena growled and snatched at it.
Too late. Velsinore's fingers closed.
'May Selune's touch turn against you!' she gasped with her last breath.
Her arm snapped up, slapping the hard metal of the medallion against Feena's neck just at her shoulder.
Feena screamed as pain split her flesh. Under her robe, she could feel wounds opening, gushing blood. The magic tore into her, sinking deep into her flesh. Something ripped inside her chest. Her grip on Velsinore loosened. The traitorous priestess started to slip free.
Feena clenched her teeth and tightened her hold, clawing with her other hand for a new grasp on Velsinore's head.
'By my faith and for Mother Dhauna,' she gasped, 'Bright Lady of the Night give strength to my arms!'
The prayer hadn't even left her mouth before Selune's power descended on her. For just a moment, it seemed that she was whole and uninjured. Magic thundered in her muscles. With a wild cry, she jerked them tight.
