Free The Radiant Dragon by Elaine Cunningham Page B

over the elven ship and enslaved its crew. There also were several other races: a few humans, a band of halflings, even a pair of ebony-skinned elves who wore glittering black cloaks.
    Cloaks!
    In his surprise over the dracon leader’s identity, Teldin had not noticed that his own cloak had grown back to its full length. It now was a deep forest green, a color it had never before assumed. Although Teldin had little to say about the cloak’s color, he could control the length at will. The cloak showed itself of its own volition only in times of great danger.
    Netarza reclaimed Teldin’s attention by laying a three-fingered hand on his arm. We are delighted that you’ve come, Teldin Moore. We have much to learn from you, since we spend so little time talking with humans.
    Humans just don’t seem to last very long around here, a black-robed mind flayer observed. There was a touch of evil humor in its mental voice, and something else as well. Its white eyes were fixed on Teldin and its facial tentacles flexed in an unmistakable gesture of anticipation. Teldin’s gut twisted as he realized that he was the creature’s first choice for a midwatch snack.
    This one is not cattle, Netarza snapped, her mental words tumbling out quickly. With absolute certainty, Teldin realized that her thoughts were not intended for his mind; somehow the cloak caught and transmuted the telepathic conversation. None of you will harm the human. Remember our orders: we must bring Teldin Moore and his cloak back to Fake unharmed, his mind untouched. The elder-brain must first harvest the Cloakmaster’s thoughts. After that, the human is of little value and we can sell or sup as we choose.
    And you will make that choice, I suppose? You, a subservient minion to a dying elder-brain? relayed the other mind flayer. We should take the human now and claim the cloak for use aboard the Nightstalker.
    Netarza turned on the other illithid, lowering her head and fixing her blank white eyes upon it. The creature recoiled. With a searing hiss, it began to tear at its own eyes in the madness of agony. In seconds it slumped, either unconscious or dead, to the deck. Teldin gaped, astounded that the illithid captain would use its lethal mind blast on one of its own crewmen.
    Forgive the interruption. Ship politics, I’m afraid, Netarza said, nudging Teldin’s attention away from the stricken mind flayer. I hope you will stay for a while, as my guest.
    “Do I have a choice in the matter?” Teldin asked bluntly.
    Before answering, Netarza gestured at a trio of elven slaves and issued a silent command. The elves responded immediately and dragged the fallen illithid to the railing. Without ceremony, they tossed the dead creature out to drift away. Netarza watched the object lesson in silence for several moments before turning back to Teldin. Naturally, you have a choice. Of course, there are good choices and bad choices   ….
    The illithid captain let her words echo in Teldin’s mind for a long moment. Before he could respond, he heard beneath him the muffled sound of a scuffle. A scream of anguish came from the lower deck, and then another. Wooden steps creaked as the victor approached the main deck.
    Netarza spun toward the commotion, her white eyes spitting fire. She hissed a command, and mind-controlled elven warriors drew steel and attacked with a speed and agility that made Teldin stare. In little more than a blink, a dozen elves surrounded a figure, obscuring it from view. One of the elven slaves screamed and stumbled back toward her, his hands clutching at his head and his eyes rolled back in unspeakable agony.
    Netarza brutally shoved the wounded elf out of her way as she padded forward. Now, now, she admonished, her mental voice an evil purr. Is this any way for a guest to behave?
    The elves parted to let her pass. Teldin fell back a step. Netarza’s other “guest” was an illithid. Its eyes were without either pupils or expression, but Teldin had