"You're thinking of him like an ordinary criminal," Diran said. "Aldarik Cathmore is much more than that. He once was a member of the Brotherhood of the Blade, but he chafed at what he saw as the Brotherhood's restrictive code of conduct. The Brotherhood viewed assassination as a noble-and extremely profitable-profession, but Cathmore believed only in the exercise of power for its own sake. He clashed many times with Emon Gorsedd over their philosophical differences. Eventually he attempted to wrest control of the Brotherhood from Emon, but Emon defeated his half-brother and sent him into exile rather than killing him. At the time, I was impressed by Emon's mercy and restraint. Now, however un-priestly it might be, I wish Emon had chosen otherwise.
"Cathmore's ego is so strong that he doesn't fear exposure or capture, for he believes that he cannot be defeated by mere mortals. Unfortunately, he has the intelligence, skills, and experience to support his overdeveloped sense of self. As for why he was present during Solus's attack, he undoubtedly wanted to witness my demise-and to let me know that it was he who was responsible for my death." Diran paused. "You see, when Cathmore decided to overthrow his half-brother, he tried to garner the support of a number of students at the academy, myself among them. Because Cathmore trained the young students, he was our first teacher, and despite his coldness, we respected him a great deal. Many joined his cause. I… was tempted, but in the end, I remained loyal to Emon Gorsedd. However, I pretended to join Cathmore and spied on him for Emon. My efforts directly led to Cathmore's defeat." Diran smiled. "So you can see why he couldn't stay away during Solus's attack."
"Do you recall what I told you yesterday?" Yvka asked. "About how there have been reports of Cathmore buying supplies in Perhata? Some of those supplies could very well be used in artificer's work."
"Are you suggesting Cathmore has a facility for producing warforged like this?" Tresslar said. "That's impossible! The resources and expertise necessary to design and build such a facility are beyond any one individual, no matter how wealthy or powerful."
"Perhaps," Yvka allowed, "but during the Last War, the Principalities-while technically neutral-aided various factions by allowing them the use of both sea lanes and land. All for a handsome price, of course. It's possible that one of the Dragon-marked Houses established a secret creation forge near here, a forge that Aldarik Cathmore now controls."
Ghaji frowned. "It sounds as if you know more than you're telling."
Yvka grinned at him. "Always."
"This is most disturbing news," Asenka said. "If such a facility does exist nearby, then we must shut it down. We can't allow someone like Cathmore to create an army of warforged as powerful as Solus."
"My thoughts exactly," Diran said.
"So what are we saying?" Ghaji asked. "That for the time being we forget about our annoyingly persistent barghest friend and go after Cathmore, Chagai, and the kalashtar?"
Diran looked around to gauge the others' reactions, and when no one said anything in protest, he turned to Ghaji and said, "Yes."
Ghaji grinned, displaying his sharp teeth. "Good. After last night I've been itching for a rematch with Chagai."
"You shall have it," Diran said. "That is, if Tresslar can revive Solus so that we can question him and learn the location of Cathmore's stolen forge."
Tresslar scowled. "You're not going to let me say no, are you?"
Diran's only response was a smile.
"Very well," the artificer growled. "I'll need all of you to clear out and leave me alone to work." He turned to Asenka. "And I'll need some artificer's tools and supplies."
"Give me a list, and if what you want is to be found in Perhata, you'll have it-on the baron's expense, of course."
Tresslar nodded. "Good. Now everybody, if you wouldn't mind…"
Diran and the others filed out of the room, but Hinto remained behind.
"I'm staying," the halfling said, "and don't tell me I can't. I can be your assistant. Besides, Solus could use a friend at his side while you work on him."
Diran thought Tresslar would protest, but after a moment's hestitation, the artificer said, "Very well, but try not to get in my way."
Skarm was tired of getting burned by that half-orc's flaming axe. He hurt so much that he was beginning to think it would be preferable to suffer Nathifa's wrath than to continue to try to steal the dragonwand for her, but then he realized how foolish the thought was. Better to suffer the pain of a thousand burns than to risk the unspeakable punishments his dark mistress was capable of doling out.
The barghest clung to the roof of the Sea Scorpions' barracks in his natural form. Three quarters of his fur had been burned away, and his flesh was a mass of suppurating blisters, but he'd heal soon enough, especially after he found a victim to devour. For the time being he'd have to content himself with the mild relief provided by the cool breeze wafting in from the sea. It was late afternoon, almost dusk, and the sun was riding low in the sky, something else to be grateful for. Even though the air was cold this time of year, Skarm didn't think he could stand the heat from direct sunlight yet.
His hearing wasn't as acute in his natural form as it was in wolf shape, but it was good enough to allow the barghest to overhear the discussion that had taken place beneath him. He hadn't witnessed the psi-forged's attack on the priest and his companions, but he'd heard it from where he'd clung to the piling beneath the dock. He understood that the construct and those who'd commanded it had come from Mount Luster-they were the "neighbors" that Skarm and his mistress had been aware of for some time. Skarm hadn't known they were in possession of a creation forge, however. Most interesting. Also interesting was the fact that Diran Bastiaan and his companions sounded determined to go after the current residents of Mount Luster, provided they could rouse the psi-forged and get him to tell them the location of his masters. Skarm was confident that they would succeed, especially since their artificer had the Amahau to rely on.
So far Skarm had had been unable to retrieve the Amahau on his own, and right now he was too wounded and weak to even think about making another attempt. Yet if the priest and his friends traveled to Mount Luster, they'd bring the Amahau with them-almost directly to Nathifa's doorstep-and by then Skarm would be fully healed and could make another try for the Amahau. Also, he thought his mistress would be interested to learn about the creation forge hidden within Mount Luster. Most interested, indeed.
Skarm made his way to the edge of the roof-every movement of his burned body an agony-and dropped to the ground. He clamped his mouth shut to keep from screaming in pain as he landed, then limped off to find a victim so that his healing might begin in earnest.
In a seldom used chamber within Mount Luster-one devoid entirely of furnishings-the air rippled and blurred. When space resumed its normal shape, the chamber was no longer empty. Cathmore, Chagai, and Galharath had returned home, thanks to teleportation capabilities of one of the kalashtar's crystals.
"I thought that went rather well," Cathmore said.
"You must be joking," Chagai said. "Not only did the construct fail to destroy Bastiaan, Galharath was forced to destroy it." For a supposed master assassin, you managed to miss your target most effectively, Chagai added mentally.
Cathmore was unfazed by Chagai's criticism. "True, the outcome was less than I'd hoped for, but our test was not entirely without success. The potential demonstrated by Solus was most impressive, and now that we have a better understanding of his flaws, we can make sure that the psi-forged we produce are more… tractable."
"We still have a long way to go," Galharath cautioned, "though I agree our experience with Solus will help us reach that day more quickly."