Elfshadow

Elaith laid the papers down on the table. Interesting, he mused. There was a co

Ja

Greed. Elaith liked that in a human. Ja

"Very valuable," Ja

"To whom?" the elf asked. "The Assassin's Guild?"

Ja

"That is a communication to Zhentil Keep. Those don't come from Waterdeep every day," he sputtered.

"A curiosity," Elaith allowed. The dagger's circling slowed.

"A bargain. They're worth much more than ten silver," Ja

The dagger resumed its dance. "I don't see why."

"Well, there's probably a reward for the papers."

"Who would offer such a reward?"

"The Lords of Waterdeep might like to know that someone from the city is billing the Black Network for the services of a 'Zhentarim enforcer,' " suggested the fence. He invoked the powerful but mysterious council who ruled the city, hoping to strengthen and legitimize his selling price. After all, there wasn't a broad market for stolen papers of this sort.

"The Lords of Waterdeep?" Elaith broke into geuine laughter. "Will you tell them about this or shall I?"

The human colored a dull red. U

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ja

Elaith was known for his utter disdain of the evil rulers of Zhentil Keep and the members of the dark network that used the black-walled city for one of its prime bases. To the elf this was less a matter of conscience than of style: the Zhentish and the Zhentarim had neither. Despite the insult and the hurled dagger, Elaith's smile never wavered.

"I will take those papers. Thank you for your generous offer." With leisurely movements, the elf moved the sheaf safely away from the bloodstain that was begi

The dagger stood upright, deeply embedded in the wood, and it pi

Elaith curled his fingers around the grip and leaned toward the fence's terrified eyes. Sweat poured down Ja

The moon elf slid a gold coin beneath the fingers of the maimed hand. "You may need this for a cleric," he observed.

Chuckling at his own cruel joke, the elf wrenched the weapon free and turned to go. A second, anguished scream followed him out into the alley behind the Books and Folios.

Book Street was busy at midday, and Ja

"There's a healthy demand for rare books today," Danilo noted, pointing toward the small knot of people gathered under the modest sign for Serpentil's Books amp; Folios.

"Most of them are leaving," Arilyn said, noting the wary expressions on the faces of the onlookers and the rapidly diminishing size of the crowd. "Whatever happened in there seems to be over."

The shop itself was an unassuming building fashioned of sandstone blocks. The only extravagance was a richly carved door of some exotic dark wood. As Arilyn drew closer, she saw that the door had in it a second, smaller door, which closed over a window cut near eye level. This small door stood ajar to reveal shelves and cases displaying the merchant's wares, but the door itself was securely bolted. Arilyn rapped loudly on the jamb.

"We're closed," came a voice from the back. "Come back another day."

"My business can't wait."

"Well, it'll have to!"

Arilyn balled her hand into a fist and knocked again, louder this time. The last two people who lingered near the shop exchanged uncertain glances and drifted off.

"Go away!"

"As soon as my business is concluded, I'll be happy to."

Muttering, a short pudgy man came out of a back room and lumbered to the door. Despite his rather undignified size, the man strove for a suave appearance. His clothes were carefully tailored dark garments, over which he wore an open scholar's robe of sober black to emphasize that he was both a successful merchant and a learned man. His black hair had been oiled and smoothed into place, and his round face was wreathed in fat. At the moment he appeared pale and drawn, and one hand had been clumsily wrapped in layers of gauze. His eyes swept disdainfully over Arilyn's peasant boy disguise. "What business of yours could be so important?"

"I'm looking for Ja

"What do you want with me?"

Arilyn held up the charcoal sketch she'd made of the thief Barth. "Do you know this man?"

The merchant's small eyes narrowed into slits. "He does not look like the sort who purchases books. Neither do you, for that matter. Go away, and don't waste my time."

"Now see here, my good man," Danilo said, his hand toying casually with his pendant so that the Tha

The nobleman's tone was haughty in the extreme, his stance the overbearing mien of one who was accustomed to obedience. Ja

The fence led Danilo and Arilyn to a back office. The room was lined with shelves of rare books, many inlaid with precious stones and metals. Arilyn refused any refreshments and took the seat offered her in front of the merchant's oaken table.

Danilo refused both, preferring to lounge against a shelf laden with books.

"I'll just browse, if you don't mind," he said to Ja

"Of course." The fence took a chair behind the table. Arilyn caught sight of a small, jagged hole, made obvious by the polished wood. The fence casually moved an ink stand over the spot and dropped his bandaged hand onto his lap.

"What can I do for the Tha

Arilyn drew a gold snuffbox from the folds of her cloak and held it up. "Ever see this before?"