Spider and Stone

EPILOGUE

THE UNDERDARK

Zollgarza emerged from the shadows of the tunnel, past the last remaining outpost of Iltkazar. No one hindered her. No one was left alive to do the job. Still, she moved cautiously, using instincts honed from years of stealth training-training that had happened only in her mind. Zollgarza’s lips curved. Even a false personality had its uses.

Those false memories slipped into her conscious mind, whispering to her, trying to assert themselves over the other, true memories that were just coming back to her. Zollgarza leaned against the wall and pressed her forehead to the stone, concentrating. Suddenly, she slammed her head against the stone on a curse.

Pain erupted behind her eyes, and Zollgarza slid limply to the floor. Shivering, Zollgarza clutched her shoulders as if she could hold herself together by sheer force of will.

“I am Zollgarza,” she whispered to the darkness. “I am Zollgarza.”

The vast expanse of the Underdark loomed before her, but it offered no answer. She’d considered going back to Guallidurth. With Fizzri gone, she could assert a place for herself in the temple of Lolth. She’d once held great power in the city. Whatever story Fizzri had made up in her absence could easily be denied or altered. If she wanted to, she could …

Inside her, the Black Creeper reared up in denial. I will not place myself at the mercy of the priestesses. Those bitches that look at me with contempt. Never!

“Be silent!” Zollgarza cried aloud. She forced herself to stand even as a wave of dizziness clutched at her head. “I will master you, devil. I will. I will.” She chuckled at the way her high-pitched voice echoed in the tunnel.

Mother Lolth, I will master this. Watch your broken one. I will master this, and I will return.

She looked down at the Arcane Script Sphere clutched in her hand and laughed again.

Zollgarza shuffled off down the tunnel, into the depths of the Underdark, still uttering that hollow laugh, until the darkness swallowed her.