Elfshadow

"Don't worry," Danilo said with an insouciant shrug. "I always did perform best for an audience."

"I hope so. It could be a long performance. Arilyn is no fool, and you've got to stay with her until she leads you to the Harper Assassin."

An expression of intense distaste crossed the young nobleman's face. "I don't like the idea of using this woman as bait for a trap."

"Neither do I, " growled Khelben. "But can you think of a better alternative?"

"No," Danilo admitted.

"Exactly." Khelben rose abruptly, indicating that the interview was over. "I suggest that you make your apologies to Lady Sheabba. You leave for Evereska in the morning."

Five

The tavern hall of the Halfway I

The Halfway I

Myrin Silverspear, the i

Arilyn always stopped here on her way into Evereska, to receive assignments or to meet contacts. For no reason that she could fathom, Myrin Silverspear had taken a special interest in her and her career. Whenever she stayed at the i

As usual, he met her at the foot of the stairs with a low bow. "Your presence honors this house, Arilyn Moonblade. Is there anything that you require this evening, quex etriel?"

As usual, Arilyn winced at the extreme deference of his greeting. "Just to be seen."

"I beg your pardon?"

Arilyn gri

"Ah. Of course." As usual, that was explanation enough for the discrete i

Arilyn sipped at the elven spirits he'd poured her and fought back a surge of laughter. "Thank you, Myrin. I've definitely been seen."

"Not at all. Anything else?"

"Do I have any messages?"

Myrin produced a small scroll and handed it to her. "This came just this afternoon."

She glanced at the seal, and her mood darkened. With a sigh, she took the scroll from the i

"Good news, I trust?"

Arilyn looked up into Myrin's concerned silver eyes. "You might not think so. Kymil Nimesin is meeting me here tonight, at the usual place."

The moon elf received her a

"You're a diplomat, Myrin," Arilyn murmured. Little love was lost between the proud i

"So I have been told," Myrin said. With another bow, he excused himself to see to Arilyn's booth. She went upstairs to get the artifacts she'd retrieved from Darkhold, then returned to the tavern and made her way to the back of the large room where she slipped inside a heavily curtained booth.

Almost immediately tiny motes of light flickered over the bench opposite her. The golden pinpricks broadened, expanded, and finally coalesced into the form of her longtime friend and mentor, Kymil Nimesin.

"Your mode of entering a room never ceases to u

The elf dismissed her comment absently. "A simple matter. Your last venture went well, I trust?"

"If it didn't, I wouldn't be sitting here." She handed him the sack containing the artifacts. "Will you return these to Sune's people and see that our informant gets the rest of his money?"

"Of course." After a brief silence Kymil attended to the amenities. "I heard of Rafe Silverspur's death. A shame. He was a good ranger, and the Harpers' cause will miss him."

"As will I," she replied softly. Kymil's words were a polite formula required by convention; hers revealed genuine emotion. She looked up sharply. "How did you hear about Rafe's death so quickly?"

"I was concerned about you, so I made inquiries."

"Oh?"

Kymil regarded his pupil keenly. "You know, of course, that the assassin was looking for you."

Arilyn stared down at her clenched hands. "I've come to that conclusion, yes," she said evenly. "Now, if you don't mind, could we please speak of other matters? Have you another assignment for me?"

"No, I called the meeting to discuss the assassinations," Kymil said. He leaned forward to emphasize his words. "I'm concerned about your safety, child. You must take steps to protect yourself from this assassin."

Her head jerked up, and anger flooded her face. "What would you have me do? Hide?"

"Far from it," Kymil corrected her sternly. "You must seek out this assassin."

"Many seek him."

"Ah, but perhaps they are looking in the wrong places. As a Harper agent, you can succeed where others fail. In my opinion, the assassin hides within the ranks of the Harpers."

Arilyn drew in a sharp breath. "The assassin, a Harper?" she demanded, incredulous.

"Yes," Kymil noted. "Or a Harper agent."

She considered her teacher's words and nodded slowly. It was an appalling possibility, but it made sense. The Harpers were a confederation of individuals, not a highly structured organization. Harper agents-those like Arilyn who were not official members of the group, but worked on particular assignments-tended to operate alone, and many of the members kept their affiliation secret. It seemed incredible to Arilyn that this veil of secrecy could be turned against the Harpers, cloaking an assassin in their very midst. On the other hand, she had grown to trust Kymil Nimesin's judgment. He had been allied with the Harpers since she was an infant, and if he thought that the Harper Assassin was within the ranks she was inclined to believe him.

Kymil's urgent voice broke into her reflections. "You must find this assassin, and soon. The common people hold Harpers in high regard. If we ca