XXXVIII
Marble floors and silk drapes greeted them; statues set in niches, alcoves and vast windows. Even at night, the Iron Throne was far from deserted. Guards patrolled, as was expected, while others stood on duty. What, or whom, they were expecting was not of concern: all that mattered was they were vigilant, and their numbers were many. Valaris' revenge had failed, but his attempt had lessened the chances of their infiltration's success. The upper echelons were guarded by a wall of flesh-wielding steel and wards.
Illasera took matters in her own hands. Kivan joined her.
Sendai's lips were tight, the only sign of tension in her. Aerie kept from covering her mouth, and hung back a step, knuckles white as she gripped her satchel. The drow offered a brief smile, acknowledging the other's determination; Xan offered nothing, his eyes fixed on some distant point. The alarms went off, the wards tripped. Xan's lips moved wordlessly. Coran offered a half nod of his own, and he and Viconia set off into the night, a flicker playing across the latter's lips.
"Come," Sendai murmured to Aerie, releasing her own invocation upon Xan. The dour elf fizzled out of sight; by the time the shimmering air stilled, the two were hidden and half way across the hall. Moments later, they ascended the stairwell and paused before Illasera's handiwork. The door was no longer guarded.
Aerie's gasp was slight, her swallow audible, but she held her peace. Sendai began to work on the wards; far below, a blast shook the building, Viconia's contribution sealing the front gates from inside. By now, further guards were on their way. Aerie released her own spell; the fallen rose. Twisted mockeries of life, they stood without grace, their sightless comprehension awaiting her bidding. The avariel tried not to cringe, but mentally commanded they guarded the stairs. They shambled off, six strong. A moment later, Sendai was done; the drow threw her a look, wordlessly understanding, found her hand and together, they stepped inside.
For a few seconds, she saw a grey, gangly creature; then she saw herself, and noticed how pale she looked…