Elfshadow

"Well, naturally," he replied. "It's dangerous out here. Who knows, there could be more of these men lying in wait."

"I don't need protection," she said emphatically.

"My point precisely," he said. "If it's all the same to you, I don't mind remaining in the company of a lady who knows her way around a dagger."

"Suit yourself." Arilyn turned her full attention back to her captive. "The elf's name?"

"I can't tell you!" he said in desperation. The dagger began its path along his jaw again. "All right! All right."

"Well?"

"His name is-"

The ruffian's voice snapped off as if he'd been throttled. Slowly Arilyn lowered the dagger, watching in disbelief as the man's face blackened and his tongue bulged out of his mouth. She backed away, unable to take her eyes from the horribly distorted face. A low, rattling gurgle burst from the man, and he slid, lifeless, down the length of the tree trunk.

"Merciful Mystra!" exclaimed Danilo Tha

Six

Arilyn spun around to face the horrified nobleman. "I did not kill this man," she said.

"Well, I certainly didn't," retorted Danilo Tha

"I can't."

"Me either. We'd better go back to the tavern and alert the local authorities. Let them figure it out."

"No!"

Her vehemence seemed to surprise the young dandy. "If you didn't kill him, what do you have to worry about?" he asked reasonably.

Plenty, Arilyn thought. The last thing she needed right now was to leave another body in her wake. Her past invited speculation, and sooner or later someone would put the pieces together and label her the Harper Assassin. That day seemed close at hand, for the news of Rafe's death was spreading far too quickly. Kymil already knew, so it was possible that the Evereska authorities had also learned of the young Harper's death.

"Come on," she said abruptly. She tucked the gold snuffbox into her sleeve and set a brisk pace back to the stables. The noblemen fell in beside her.

"Where are we going?"

"The stables."

"Oh? Why's that, I wonder?"

Arilyn was in no mood to banter. Under the guise of reclaiming Danilo's arm she pressed the tip of her dagger to his side. It pierced his silken tunic, but the fool's slightly amused expression never faltered.

"Do be careful of the fabric, will you?" he admonished her. Arilyn looked at his vague smile, wondering for the first time if the man were simple. "You're coming with me."

"Yes," he agreed calmly, pausing as Arilyn swung open the door to the stable. "So it would appear."

Irritated, she prodded him inside. "Just keep walking."

"Well, really," he huffed. "There's no need to be so grim about this. Believe me, I'm a willing victim," he said, looking her over and smiling.

His calm acceptance of the situation temporarily disconcerted Arilyn. Danilo smirked at the bewildered expression on her face.

"Don't look so surprised, my dear lady. I will admit that the dagger is a new approach, but I often encounter women who are most eager for my company."

Arilyn snorted. "We're here for horses, not a pile of hay."

Danilo cocked his head and considered the possibilities. "My, my. You are full of i

Gritting her teeth in a

"These will do," Arilyn a

"I should say," he murmured in reply.

She tucked the dagger back into her belt, grabbed a finely wrought saddle from a hook, and thrust it at Danilo. "I assume you can ride."

He took the saddle from her outstretched hands. "Please! You wound me," he protested.

"Don't tempt me."

Danilo sighed and shook his head. "I can see that setting the proper tone for this moonlight ride will be my responsibility entirely."

It was time to convince this gri

He fingered the hole in disbelief. "Really! This was a new hat," he protested.

"Consider the alternative," she pointed out with grim humor. "Saddle up."

Sighing lustily, the dandy stuck the mutilated hat back on his head and did as he was told. To his credit, he worked quickly. Arilyn watched the stable door, but she could detect neither sound or movement. Perhaps she had shaken her shadow, after all.

After years of stopping at the Halfway I

On the way out Arilyn stopped by her own horse's stall. She retrieved her saddle bags, and for a moment she looked with longing eyes at the gray mare. It pained Arilyn to leave her horse behind, but the mare needed rest badly. Arilyn took a bit of parchment from her saddlebags and scribbled a note to Myrin Silverspear, asking him to care for her horse and to reimburse the owner of the paired chestnuts for their loss. The i

As she turned to go, Arilyn looked up at the nobleman. His expression was sympathetic, and she felt a wave of irritation. Many killers were tender of their horses, so why did the fool regard her as if she were a new mother cooing over an infant?

"Come on," she snapped. After leading the way out of the stables and onto the path, she hiked up her flowing skirts and mounted her borrowed horse. When they reached the edge of the forest Arilyn drew a knife from her boot and held it up for Danilo to see.

"If you run, this will find your heart before your horse takes ten paces."

Danilo smiled and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I wouldn't dream of ru

The rest of his words drifted mercifully into the winds. Arilyn smacked the rump of his horse, sending it ru

They rode hard, but Arilyn could discern no sign that they were being followed. Dark clouds scuttled across the sky, and the trees twisted and writhed in the rising wind. Finally the storm began, and huge raindrops pelted the travelers. The presence of the garrulous hostage made Arilyn almost grateful for the foul weather. The wind and driving rain made conversation impossible, and their situation worsened when they left the relative shelter of the forest. Arilyn pressed on, following the swiftly flowing river known as Winding Water. A travelers' hut on the lower branch promised shelter.

Finally she sighted the small barnlike building and urged her horse toward it. She dismounted and lifted the bar from the double door. A gust of wind blew the doors inward, and the travelers led their horses inside. Arilyn swung the doors shut and threw her weight against them, struggling to close them against the wind. At last she succeeded and slid the inside bolt.