Chapter 13: Blood of a Priest
The trio stormed into Elmuth's office. The office was filled with books
of all sizes, some of them obviously ancient tomes. A small pallet for
a bed attested to the spartan living style of the High Priest. The old
priest was stooped over his table, studying an ancient text.
"Elmuth, I have some questions," started Korvos.
Elmuth: "Yes, my liege?"
Korvos: "Did you have an assassin try to murder Morea?"
Elmuth: "Sigh, it was for your own good."
Korvos: "How do I break the curse?"
Elmuth: "I don't know. I'm doing what I can."
Korvos: "Leave Morea alone."
Theguis: "What about the arm thing?"
Elmuth: "What arm thing?"
Korvos: "I confronted Ionus and his men. Almost of its own volition, my
arm took my rapier and ran it through one of the men."
Elmuth: "The legends are true then. The Sword Arm of Korath."
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Korvos: "What
are you talking about?"
A drip of water fell on Elmuth.
Elmuth: "Did your arm feel like it was not part of your body?"
Korvos: "...Yes, now that I think back on it. My arm did feel like it
was not part of me. It felt... sinister."
More drips fell on Elmuth, who absentmindedly brushed them off.
Elmuth: "Yes, yes. That confirms something that I had suspected. Your
arm--"
And suddenly, Elmuth was showered with a gray ooze. As King Korvos and
his two companions watched in horror, tentacles reached down from the
ceiling, grabbing the High Priest and lifting him up. His head was
smashed into the ceiling, time and again until a dull crack echoed in
the room.
"He's outlived his usefulness," whispered a sibilant voice from above.
"He never should have tried to stop us. We wanted to play with you more
before you joined us."
Korvos looked in horror at his arm, a strong sense of evil emanating
from it.
"He'll never join you!" yelled Princess Theguis while Racius prepared
to drag her away from the monster.
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