"Like Benthor and Misa Kell?” Ula asked. "Pardon me if I don’t like the company you keep, sister.”
“Ula, these are your people, too. We are in danger-even you and your friends. If you don’t believe me, if you won’t believe your family, speak to the Sage. She will advise you of the truth.”
"Who?” Mik asked, sitting up in his hammock and stretching. He fetched his enchanted necklace from the bedding and stuck it securely in his belt.
Lyssara looked surprised, as though she’d forgotten about the sailor. “The Sea Sage-an ancient oracle, tied to the spirit of our people. She counsels us in times of trouble or need.”
"The Dargonesti turn to her rather than think on their own,” Ula said sarcastically.
Lyssara ignored her sister’s jab. “The sage says that every Dargonesti soul-even the least-will be needed in the dark times ahead.”
Ula’s rolled her green eyes at Mik. “The least meaning me, of course.”
Lyssara paced agitatedly around the room. “No,” she said, “I’m saying that all are needed.”
Mik pulled himself out of his sleeping web and stretched again. “This sage sounds pretty wise,” he said, catching Ula’s eye. “Perhaps she could help us with our current… problem.”
“As a matter of fact,” Ula replied, “I’d already planned to visit her on our way to Aurialastican.”
Lyssara’s long eyelashes fluttered, and a surprised smile danced across her lovely face. “You have? I’m so glad. Some distrust you, my sister, but I know your heart will not lead you astray. Shall I make the arrangements for you?”
“No,” Ula said. “I’ll handle this on my own.”
“Very well,” Lyssara replied. “May the tides lift you to glory.” She bowed slightly and left the chamber.
“ ’Neath traversed azure wine-Converse with hoary fates-With tangled hones of vine-To root Green keg awaits,” Mik recited. “You think the ‘Green key’ lies with this sage?”
“I’m almost certain of it.”
“It’s a dangerous path, Ula,” Shimmer warned.
“All our paths are dangerous,” Ula replied. “It’s true the Sea Sage can be tricky, but I’ve dealt with her before.” She paced in tight circles around the chamber, rubbing her chin with one slender hand. “I’ll make the necessary preparations. Mik, you and Shimmer should hire some draken rays for our trip to Aurialastican.”
“No, I want to go with you to visit this Sage,” Mik said. Ula arched one platinum eyebrows at him. “Outsiders are usually not permitted.”
“Worried about protocol, Ula?” Mik asked, his brown eyes twinkling.
“All right,” she said. “You can come, but we need steeds in any case.”
“I’ll hire them,” said Shimmer.
“Good,” Mik said. He looped his arm through Ula’s elbow. “You and I can pick up some breakfast on the way. I’m starving.”
Shimmer left to find suitable draken for their trip while Ula and Mik stopped for breakfast and went to gather provisions to visit the Sage. Shimmer gave them some money to cover expenses and Ula converted the change into small bits of jewelry, which she wove into her sparse clothing.
Mik marveled at the beauty of the Dargonesti city; it was even more spectacular in the daylight than it had been the previous night. The shell-like spires and reefs of Darthalla stretched almost to the surface above, and far into the indigo darkness below. The city teemed with elves swimming about their daily business: aristocrats and traders, hunters and fishers, kelp farmers, tuna herders, and undersea vintners. Shell-armored riders on the backs of huge draken rays glided through the streets, keeping the peace.
The elves themselves were something to behold, too-slender and graceful, with delicate features and sparkling eyes. Few were as lovely as Ula or her sister, but most put human beauties to shame. Mik avoided gawking as much as possible.
The magic of his necklace worked well during their sojourn, though he lost two more jeweled scales. He experienced none of the difficulties he had earlier, which left him hoping that the problems were merely a side effect of Karista’s magic seaweed. In his heart, though, he knew the magic of the amulet-like all magic in Krynn-was gradually failing.
After completing their errands, Mik and Ula hooked up with Shimmer near the edge of town. The bronze knight helped Ula and Mik mount their leathery indigo steeds, then swung into his own saddle.
“Follow me,” Ula said, urging her draken ray forward.
Mik and Shimmer fell in behind, and they quickly faded into the hazy blue distance.
Mog could not hold fishy shapes forever. Lurking in the shadows of Darthalla taxed his ability, strength, and willpower nearly to its limits. He had used other disguises besides the eeclass="underline" fish, octopus, and-once-even sea elf. This last had strained him mightily; his scales twitched at the thought of it.
Still, the dragonspawn’s ruses had worked. Amid his enemies, he remained undiscovered. Several times he had been forced to take refuge in hidden places to resume his own form and rest for a while.
Doing so had hindered his mission to track Mik and the others-but always he had regained their scents. During the night, he had even taken time to feed. He’d hidden the elf s hones beneath a boulder, in the deepest trenches of the city. Likely, no one would ever find the remains of the dragonspawn’s latest victim.
Hiding in the wide seaweed beds beyond the city proved an easier task. Mog’s scales blended in amid the tall kelp near the Sea Sage’s lair. The ocean floor fell away here, into a deep, weed-filled sinkhole. Mog’s quarry tethered their draken rays in the kelp nearby. Then the blue elf woman and the sailor went down into the hole, while the bronze warrior waited near the top.
Mog wondered which one of them had the black diamond key. He considered slaying them one by one to find out, but a voice in the hack of his brain whispered “No!” Wait and watch.
Mog shrank hack into the weeds. His time had not yet come.
Mik and Ula wound their way down into the wide pit that formed the lair of the Sea Sage. The kelp around them swayed sensuously, like thousands of dancing snakes. It made the hair stand up on the back of Mik’s neck; Ula showed no signs of feeling anything similar.
Mik pushed himself to keep up with the Dargonesti. She moved with the grace of a dolphin and the speed of a razorfish. The weeds didn’t seem to touch her; Mik had to work hard to avoid becoming hopelessly entangled.
They pressed ever deeper, and the azure light above faded gradually to indigo. As the light lessened, the weeds thinned out, until they saw the sandy ocean bed rising up before them. It was as though they were at the bottom of a very deep bowl, surrounded by seaweed. On one side of the clearing, a green reef rose from the silt. A cave, slightly taller than a man, opened up in the reefs face. The grotto was not very deep, and mossy emerald weeds lined its floor.
In the middle of the circle of sand at the clearing’s center lay a small coral pedestal. It was shaped like a tiny column and carved with runes that Mik could not read.
“This is it,” Ula said. “Remember, you are not supposed to be here. Say nothing.”
Mik nodded.
Ula opened the small sack she’d brought down with her. She pulled out five sand dollars and a large golden starfish. Tiny pearls decorated the starfish’s arms and there was a circular depression, slightly larger than the tip of a man’s thumb, in the center. Ula took a large bluish pearl from the pouch and placed it in the depression.
Immediately, the sea around them began to bubble and swirl. A ghostly wailing sound emanated from the cave and built quickly to a deafening roar. Mik covered his ears with his hands and squinted, trying to see through the roiling waters.
A shape moved at the cave mouth, just at the edge of his vision. The thing was huge, much larger than the wizened crone Mik had been expecting-taller and broader than even a minotaur.