To her surprise, she found her fingers gripped around something else. The elf glanced down at her hand.
It was a pendant, one familiar to her. The sign of the griffon peered back at Idaria. Yet despite the fact that it hung around her neck and surely must have been there since Golgren placed it there, Idaria had utterly forgotten about it until that very moment.
A familiar sensation flowed through her, the same sensation that she realized had flowed through her during the two “miracles” to which she had given credit to the medallion and, possibly, Habbakuk.
But both Idaria and the Solamnic had been mistaken. Everything had been the result of the ancient artifact, a High Ogre relic that had shielded itself from even the gargoyle king.
Her discovery of the pendant’s properties was momentarily thrust to the back of her mind by another startling revelation. Both Chasm and his foe pushed away from each other, the two creatures dripping from the water from which they had just risen. For the first time, Idaria could identify what had attacked her friend.
It was Chasm.
The two identical gargoyles hissed and spit at each other as they slashed at the air between them with their powerful claws. Their backs arched and their wings stretched wide in what was clearly an attempt by each to show dominance. Yet since both were, to all appearances, Chasm, such displays looked futile.
The elf studied each in turn. Only one could truly be Tyranos’s servant. The other must be obeying the commands of the monstrous High Ogre.
That the Chasm who had carried her was the false one was obvious, but with the struggle, Idaria could not identify which that was. The illusion was absolutely perfect.
The Chasm on the right lunged. His twin started to rise up but not quickly enough. The first Chasm crashed into the second’s torso, and both went rolling out of the water.
The pair fought with tooth and claw, seeking any soft area to rend. Both gargoyles evinced thick, scaled hides, so most of their strikes did little more than leave scratches. However, it was while observing that aspect of the fight that Idaria had her first inkling as to which Chasm might be the true one.
One Chasm was virtually unmarred, greatly resembling how best the elf recalled him. At the moment, he had the advantage. He had forced the other Chasm on his back, pressing down so the latter could not make use of his wings to push himself up.
In addition to his predicament, the second Chasm was far more scarred than his adversary. Those scars covered his body from head to foot. He also appeared more exhausted, as if he had just flown with the greatest of swiftness to catch up to Idaria and her companion.
“You are the true Chasm!” she muttered. Her hand squeezed the pendant, which warmed even more.
A gray energy enveloped the gargoyle that the elf had recognized as her true friend. At first, neither noticed it, but then the real Chasm suddenly shoved hard, tossing his false twin back. Moving as if rejuvenated, Tyranos’s servant jumped at his foe before the second one could recover. As he did, Chasm let loose with a cry of challenge-a cry that sounded part gargoyle, but also part another great beast, a griffon.
The false Chasm met the true one head-on. Briefly, they became locked together with no advantage to either. However, the true Chasm slowly but surely started to bear down on his adversary. Again he let loose with the call that was part griffon.
The impostor slashed uselessly with his claws across Chasm’s chest. Chasm returned the attack, and his claws tore through the hard scale surface as they had not earlier. Ribbons of skin flew from the other gargoyle; in their wake rivers of blood issued forth. The second Chasm stumbled.
Giving no quarter, Tyranos’s servant flung himself atop his staggering enemy. He clawed the second gargoyle again and again. Each time, the previously thick hide gave way easily. Under the onslaught, the bleeding impostor fell to his knees.
Chasm bent back one arm of his foe then bit into it. As the false Chasm shrieked, the true one ripped out a chunk of flesh from the arm and spit it away.
The sorely wounded creature dropped facedown on the ground as weakness and blood loss took its toll. Chasm raised his claws and tore out the back of his twin’s neck. For good measure, he also twisted the head nearly to the back, the snapping so loud, it made Idaria shiver. She released the pendant, which dropped back onto her breast.
Chasm paused as if suddenly exhausted again. As he settled back, the dead gargoyle was transformed. Although he retained his general shape, most of his resemblance to Chasm vanished. His muzzle became more pronounced, and his color also altered, turning mud brown.
The dead gargoyle looked much more like those that served the High Ogre.
Panting heavily, Chasm made his way to Idaria. She saw that while he had not suffered much due to the fallen gargoyle, there were indeed many scars on him from an earlier danger. Even though the pendant had clearly aided him, part of its effect had apparently been temporary. Chasm was better than when he had arrived but still diminished from his previous trial.
“Where did you come from?” the elf asked as she tried to help ease his pain. “How did you find me?”
“Came from forest,” the winged creature grunted. “Fought skeletons. They fall to Chasm!” He said that last with some pride. “Then hear voice. Elf’s voice. Follow you into forest. Lose way.”
“You endangered yourself for me?” Chasm belonged to the wizard; he should not have worried himself over her.
“Friend needed me,” he reminded Idaria. “Trees attack. Not like first time. Someone waits.” He hissed. “Too late, smell my kind.”
The story began to make sense. The presence of other gargoyles had meant the presence of their master as well. He had used his power to manipulate the already dark forest to seize Chasm and make him a prisoner.
“But why keep you alive?” Idaria asked, the answer coming to her but a breath later. “Of course. For such a strong illusion spell, he likely had it draw off your life. That kept you weaker, but it also saved you.” Something else came to mind. “You did not free yourself, did you? Was it Stefan who did?”
Chasm’s head bobbed up and down. In his short, primitive sentences, he conveyed to her what he had learned from the Solamnic about her sudden vanishing. There had been immediate agreement that Chasm was best suited to give chase. Stefan had to remain with the refugees. Chasm, meanwhile, could follow her scent.
“You … followed my scent this far?”
Again, he bobbed his head. “Know your scent like master’s.”
The gargoyle had to push himself to his limits to catch up as quickly as possible. Both he and Stefan had feared the worst.
But what was more upsetting to Idaria was the fact that she had played into the dark one’s plots, as though she were a willing accomplice. All it had taken was the fear that Golgren was dying and only she could somehow save him.
“I was a fool!”
Chasm snorted. “No fool.”
“Yes, I was and, worse, I may be about to become an even bigger one.”
The gargoyle cocked his head in concern.
Idaria’s fingers grazed the pendant. It was the true reason for her “miracles” and it had also helped save Chasm. And it had been given to her by Golgren and perhaps also by someone who had been dead for many centuries but still fought against the gargoyle king.
“We continue on, Chasm. We go as this foul creature’s even more foul lord intended.”
Chasm shook his head, but Idaria remained determined. She stared into the gargoyle’s gaze until at last Chasm reluctantly nodded.
“As mistress says.”
“As I ask, Chasm. You leave me the moment we reach there. This is my choice, not yours.”
“Where mistress goes, Chasm goes and fights for her.”
He stared right back at her with determination. Idaria at last reached out and stroked his cheek. The gargoyle almost purred.