Elfshadow

"Well…"

"Loene," Arilyn confirmed grimly. "I owe her one. Now, why did you come after me? The truth!"

He shrugged. "All right, but you might not like it."

"Try me."

"I seem to have acquired one of your shadows, my dear," Danilo informed her. "I've come to give it back."

Arilyn drew back. "I don't understand."

"Oh dear. I was afraid you'd say that," Danilo said with a sigh. "Well, let me shed what light I can. As you know, I left Loene's house last night. I've been away from Waterdeep for several tendays, and I simply had to attend to a personal errand of some importance."

"Mother Tathlorn's House of Pleasure and Healing?"

Danilo's shrug made no commitment either way. "Ever since my little trip, something has been following me. Notice," he said pointedly, "that I said something. I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn around there is never anyone there. It is," he concluded in a prissy tone, "most disconcerting."

The description was familiar. Many times Arilyn had experienced that very feeling, although, she realized, not since they had left the House of Good Spirits the night before. She nodded slowly.

"I take it that you recognize my description of this particular shadow?" Arilyn nodded again. "Oh good," Danilo said wryly.

"Now we're getting somewhere. Let me assure you, I have no intention of dealing with this on my own. The way I see it, if I follow you around for a while longer, perhaps this shadow will return to its original owner, and I can be on my way, unencumbered. Fair enough?"

"I suppose," she said grudgingly. "Come on. Just keep quiet, if that's possible."

"Lead on."

Arilyn walked through the open door of the tavern and into a solid wall of muscle. She fell back a step and looked up into the threatening scowl of one of the biggest men she had ever seen. As square as a castle courtyard, the man literally filled the doorway.

"We ain't open," he growled down at her through a thick curly beard the color of rusted iron.

"We're looking for Elaith Craulnobur," Arilyn began.

"If he wanted to see you, boy, he'd look for you," the giant observed with a nasty smile. "Now git, before I turn you over my knee."

Arilyn drew the moonblade. "I'm afraid I must insist," she said softly.

The man threw back his head and roared with laughter, drawing several other, equally rough-looking men to his side. "He insists," he told one of them, jerking a thumb toward the slender "lad" in the doorway. His companions smirked.

Danilo buried his face in his hands. "She insists," he muttered.

"Nice sword, boy. Antique shop's down the street," one of the men taunted Arilyn. "You might as well sell it, 'cause you don't look like you can use it."

"Stand aside or draw your weapons," she said firmly. "I do not fight unarmed men."

"Right sportin' o' the lad, wouldn't you say?" piped up another. Hoots of laughter followed.

"Well, let's oblige the little chap," rumbled a deep bass voice from behind the human mountain in the doorway.

"Yeah. Show him some steel, boys." The speaker had the sun-weathered skin and rakish clothes of a Ruathym pirate. He flashed an evil grin-complete with several gold teeth-as he drew a long knife from his bright yellow sash.

With a look of pained resignation, Danilo drew his own sword and stepped to Arilyn's side. The gathered ruffians looked the dandy over from plumed hat to polished boots and burst into renewed mirth.

The elven proprietor, alerted by the commotion, looked up. As he glided toward the door, Arilyn sheathed the moonblade and removed the cap that covered her hair and ears. Elaith Craulnobur's eyes lit up in recognition.

"It's all right, Durwoon," the quessir said to the doorkeeper. "Your diligence is commendable, but we must not scare away the customers."

It was a gentle reprimand, but the huge man blanched and melted into the shadows, followed by his chastened cronies.

"What a pleasant surprise," Elaith murmured, pointedly speaking only to Arilyn. "Welcome to my new establishment." Elaith gestured around at the bustle of activity. "I acquired it just two nights past. The previous owner imbibed too freely, I'm afraid, and challenged me to a game of darts. So it goes. We plan to reopen this evening in time for the first night of the festival." He broke off suddenly and took Arilyn's gloved hand, bowing low over it. "Forgive me. I doubt you've come here to discuss my latest business venture. Can I be of some service?"

"I hope so. You know that Rhys Ravenwind was killed the night we met at the House of Fine Spirits," Arilyn began.

"A tragedy," Elaith said smoothly. "What has this to do with you or me?"

"You were there," Danilo pointed out ingenuously.

The quessir raised his eyebrows in gentle reproach. "As were you. I assure you, the watch has already made the same dreary assumption, and they are now completely satisfied with my i

Arilyn shot Danilo a quelling glance and turned back to the elf. "May we talk alone?"

"By all means," Elaith agreed, eyeing Danilo with distaste. The elf took Arilyn's arm and drew her into the tavern. Refusing to be insulted or excluded, Danilo resolutely trailed behind.

"I do not presume to tell you your business, my dear etriel, but you would be well rid of that one," the elf murmured, too low for the human to hear.

"Don't think I haven't tried," Arilyn returned.

"Really. How very interesting," he mused.

To Arilyn's surprise, Elaith contemplated her offhand remark as if it were a particularly important piece in a puzzle. She would have pressed him for an explanation, but they had traversed the length of the tavern and reached a back room that apparently served as his office. The elf had wasted no time in settling in to what had probably been a storeroom. The room had been swept and newly whitewashed, and the window that overlooked the back alley sparkled in the morning sun. Another window, which appeared to be newly installed, looked out over the tavern. Arilyn remembered that from the other side the window appeared to be a mirror.

Elaith politely seated her in one of the leather chairs that flanked a desk of exotic Chultan teak. Danilo refused a chair. Carefully arranging the folds of his cape, he leaned indolently against the wall just behind Arilyn.

"What do you know about the bard's death?" Arilyn asked, getting right down to business.

Elaith sat down behind his desk and spread his hands before him. "Very little. I left the i

"Never overlook the obvious, I always say," Danilo observed brightly.

The quessir threw a contemptuous glance in Danilo's direction. The troublesome human hovered behind Arilyn Moonblade as if he intended to protect her, at the cost of his worthless life if need be. It was a humorous notion, but Elaith was not in the mood to be amused. "Young man, don't try my patience. I am not the Harper Assassin, as you so clumsily imply." The elf's scowl faded, and he smiled evilly. "If truth be told, I almost wish I were. He-or she-is very good indeed."

"When next we encounter the Harper Assassin, we'll be sure to pass along your good wishes," Danilo drawled. "I'm sure your approval means everything to him."

Arilyn ignored her companion as she spoke to Elaith. "I have reason to believe that the assassin is someone within the Harper ranks."

"Really?" Danilo broke in, sounding surprised.

She threw a glance over her shoulder at the nobleman. "Yes. Now if you'll excuse me for a moment?" She turned back to Elaith. "This makes any investigation difficult for me. Obviously, I ca

"Obviously," Elaith murmured with a smile. "I am delighted to be of service, but might I ask why you have come to me?"