Elfshadow

"Interesting. All right, what else?"

Danilo told his uncle what had transpired, starting with the i

"Poison," muttered Khelben, visibly a

The young man looked a little chagrined. "No, but my sense of chivalry certainly is. There was but one bed, and I had it. The chamber was very dark, and I suppose the assassin presumed that a gentleman would take the floor."

"I see. You're all right now?"

"I didn't get much of the poison. If you're through, I have a few quick questions." Danilo leveled his gaze on Khelben. "Why are you so concerned with Arilyn's sword? What does it have to do with this assassin?"

"It is possible that there is no co

"I think it is time for a history lesson. In more ways than one, I have a personal interest in this." The young man spoke quietly, but he held up his branded palm for Khelben to see. "But please, make it quick."

Khelben nodded. "Yes, it's time you knew." He passed one hand over his salt-and-pepper hair and took a deep breath.

"Before you were born, Arilyn's parents inadvertently used the magic of the sword to open a portal between these mountains and the elven kingdom of Evermeet. The damnable gate stayed open, and the best any of us could do was obscure it and move it elsewhere. The elves ordered Z'beryl to dismantle the sword. Arilyn's father took the magic moonstone away with him. As it is today, the moonblade carries potent magic. Restored, it could be used to unveil the gate to Evermeet."

Khelben concluded his terse recitation with a sigh. "So there it is. If there was a chance that someone knew of this gate and was after Arilyn for her sword, we had to know about it."

"I see," Danilo said, though his mind was racing through all that Khelben had told him. Given the fabled riches of the elven kingdom of Evermeet, an open portal would be an invitation to plunder. The elves of Evermeet were fiercely reclusive, and the island was guarded by the powerful elven navy of Queen Amlauruil, by lethal coral reefs, by hosts of mysterious sea creatures allied with the elves, and by ever-shifting energy fields that could reduce an invading ship to ashes and seafoam. In comparison to these defenses, any guard that could be posted at the magic portal would seem a small obstacle. Secrecy was the best protection for the gate to Evermeet, for if knowledge of this portal spread, the last stronghold of the elves would be compromised and the very existence of the dwindling race threatened. Danilo wondered how Arilyn would react to the knowledge that she was in part the keeper of the elven kingdom.

"By the way," Danilo added, "why didn't you tell me that Arilyn was elven?"

"A half-elf. Her father was human, more or less." Khelben said. "Whenever I see her, she's usually passing as human."

"Indeed. She was a Sembian courtesan when we met. Great disguise," Danilo reminisced with a grin. "I managed to recognize her from Rafe Silverspur's ring, and, believe it or not, from your portrait."

Khelben smiled sourly at his nephew's good-natured insult. "Which reminds me: according to your mother, my esteemed brother-in-law is none too happy with his 'shiftless son' for taking off with 'some fancy pleasure girl.' You might check in with him when time permits."

"Another lecture from dear father. The gods know I've been such a disappointment to him," Danilo drawled flippantly.

Khelben eyed the young man keenly, sensing a new note in his act. "Thinking of quitting?"

"What, being a disappointment?"

"No. Playing the fool in the service of the Harpers."

Danilo shrugged. "What options do I have?"

"There are always options," Khelben asserted. "After this assignment, if you like, come out in the open. You're a good agent. The Harpers would surely welcome you."

Danilo stood to go, his face more reflective that Khelben had ever seen it. "You know, Uncle, I just might take you up on that."

Moving swiftly through the magic door, Danilo left Blackstaff Tower, mounted his horse, and sped back toward the townhouse on Waterdeep Way. To the east, the sun was peeking over the roofs of the city, casting long shadows along the still-quiet streets.

One of those shadows suddenly moved and began to follow Danilo Tha

Loene was curled with catlike coziness amid the silken pillows of her couch, her slippered feet tucked beneath her. At the moment, she looked as content as Arilyn had ever seen her. "An interesting tale," said Loene.

"Worth the price of that sherry?" Arilyn asked dryly, glancing at the half-empty decanter on the table that sat between Loene's couch and the more spartan chair she herself had chosen. The half-elf's first glass, which was almost untasted, rested in her hands. The rest of the sherry had been consumed by her host, who was renowned for her ability to hold the stuff.

"And then some," the woman said, raising her fourth goblet for a toast. "Here's to a happy ending."

"Hear, hear," Arilyn agreed, her face turning serious at the thought of what lay before her.

Graves chose that moment to poke his head through the door of the study. "There will be two for breakfast, madame?" Loene smiled invitingly at Arilyn. "Will you stay? Graves makes the best scones in Waterdeep, you know."

Arilyn was reluctant to delay her search longer, but she needed to eat sometime. "Thank you, yes, but I must leave soon."

"I understand." Loene turned to the servant. "There will be three, then, unless our other guest prefers a tray."

The servant's eyebrows rose. "Our other guest has already departed."

"What?" Arilyn rose slowly to her feet. "Danilo's gone? Are you sure?"

"Oh, yes," Graves said. He held up a length of rope. "By the window, no less," he muttered, shaking his head in self-recrimination. "I let the peacock strut right past me."

"The fool," Arilyn blazed, slamming her fist onto the serving table as she stalked from the room. Loene lunged to save the wobbling sherry decanter, then she followed Arilyn into the hall, clutching the cherished spirits to her as she went.

"Let him go." Loene laid a restraining hand on Arilyn's arm.

The half-elf shook her off. "He's not strong enough to travel."

The woman snorted. "Don't believe it for a minute. That young man was perfectly normal-whatever that may mean in his case."

Arilyn went very still. "I don't understand."

Loene's eyes were compassionate. "My dear, he was fine last night. He did not need that potion."

"How do you know?"

"You really need to ask?" Loene asked. "Unlike you, I have no aversion to using poisons when the occasion demands. I know what's out there, I know the effects and the signs."

"You gave him an antidote," Arilyn pointed out. "Why?

"Apricot brandy. I suspected that your friend wasn't really poisoned, and his rapid recovery proved me right."

"What about that brand?"

"Well, all right," Loene conceded. "Perhaps he did get just a touch of some poison when he was branded, but the effects had certainly faded before he got here. You were too concerned to notice."

Arilyn nodded slowly. It made perfect sense. Danilo was most anxious to reach safety. Having done so, what better way to ensure his continued safety than to sneak away, leaving her and the assassin far behind? Arilyn couldn't blame him, especially after the attack on his life. Why, then, did she feel betrayed? "He is a coward," she seethed. "I'm well rid of that one.