Elfshadow

"I'm not entirely surprised," Elaith said dryly. "You trained with Kymil Nimesin, did you not?"

"What of it?" Arilyn said, a trifle defensively.

"My dear etriel, in more ways than one Lord Kymil is of a dying breed. He still mourns the demise of Myth Dra

"I'm no scholar, and Kymil knows that. My only interest was the practical use of the sword. Kymil's time was too valuable to waste on history lessons that I wouldn't bother to remember."

"More's the pity," Elaith said, then sighed. "But to continue. The Council of Myth Dra

Elaith picked up the dormant moonblade. "It was a simple process of elimination. As you know, a moonblade can confirm or decline each new wielder. The family who held the most moonblades for the longest period of time showed true nobility as well as a proven line of succession. They became the royal family."

"What happens when a sword declines the chosen heir?" Danilo asked.

"Remember what happened to your finger when you tried to touch the moonblade?" Arilyn asked.

"Ouch." Danilo winced. "A risky inheritance."

"Precisely," the quessir agreed. "The risk increases as time progresses, for as a moonblade becomes more powerful, it becomes harder to handle. Few prove worthy of the task. Not every unworthy heir dies upon drawing the sword, however. If he or she is the last member of a line, the sword's task-testing the bloodline's nobility-is completed and it becomes dormant." The elf's hand absently touched the white stone set in his moonblade.

"Such as your sword," said Danilo.

"Such as my sword," Elaith echoed softly. He looked up at Arilyn and admitted, "I am the last in the Craulnobur line, the only child of an only son. The sword came into my possession shortly after that portrait was made." A faint, self-deprecating smile curved his lips but did not reach his eyes. "It would seem that the sword knew more about me than I, at that time, understood about myself."

"I'm sorry," Arilyn said softly.

"So was I. On the basis of the moonblade's choice, my betrothal was nullified. Rather than remain in Evermeet and live with the stigma, I chose to come to Waterdeep and carve out a niche for myself. The rest is a matter of record and-" the elf broke off and made an ironic bow to Danilo "-rumor."

"This is all very touching," Danilo drawled. "It explains your interest in Arilyn but, unfortunately, little else."

"What else would you like to know?"

Danilo picked up Perendra's snuffbox from the table. "Let's get back to this. How did you get it?"

"I bought the snuffbox from a fence."

"Ja

Elaith's silver eyebrows arched. "Very good, young man. And I suppose you know where he got it, as well?"

"From Hamit. Waterdeep seems to be a small city."

"At the moment, I'm inclined to agree," the elf said, eyeing Danilo with distaste. "Yes, at my request Barth and his partner Hamit broke into the mage's home to retrieve one particular item, a spellbook. She surprised them, and they killed her. They made the mistake of plundering the place and selling the stolen items. I learned of this when I saw Perendra's snuffbox in Ja

"You killed him," Danilo specified.

"Of course. I would have seen to Barth as well, but while I was taking care of Hamit, he apparently retrieved the box and left for Evereska. Fortunately the spell seems to have done the trick." He paused. "By then several Harpers had fallen to the assassin. Even though Perendra alone had not been branded, I wanted to leave no possibility that her accidental death would be placed on my doorstep, bringing with it the label of Harper Assassin. I do not care to wear that particular mantle."

"You're very forthcoming about all this," the nobleman said with a touch of bewilderment.

Elaith looked faintly surprised. "Surely you've heard that there is honor between thieves. Assassins have a similar code." The elf turned to Arilyn. "By the way, I have some of the information you requested." He returned to the safe and took out several sheets of parchment, one of which he handed to Arilyn. "I acquired something this morning that belongs to you. You certainly don't want this to fall into the wrong hands."

Not understanding, Arilyn sca

"Yes. I came across it while looking into the background of the Harper Assassin."

Arilyn winced involuntarily. Elaith took in her reaction with an amused smile on his face. "Perhaps now, all things considered, we can dispense with the pretense."

"Pretense?"

"Oh, come now," he chided her gently. "Truly, I admire your plan. Quite devious. It wouldn't have occurred to me to arrange my affairs so that I could collect simultaneous fees from both the Harpers and the Zhentarim."

"What are you talking about?" she demanded, aghast.

"Why, your scam, of course." He smiled. "It is brilliant, although not without risks. A Harper agent, working for the Zhentarim. Whatever their other shortcomings may be, the Black Network is certainly known to pay well. As a Zhentarim enforcer, you provide them with a valuable service: culling their ranks of the unruly, the inconvenient, and the inept. The Harpers are pleased to see you ridding the world of vermin." Elaith chuckled. "Harpers and Zhentarim, united at last. What delightful irony!"

Elaith's amusement broke off abruptly. The tip of Arilyn's moonblade was held firmly at his throat.

"I do not work for the Zhentarim," Arilyn stated, her voice bubbling with suppressed rage. "Where did you get such an idea?"

"Well, what do you know?" Danilo marveled. "I've been baying at the wrong raccoon, after all."

Arilyn shot a furious glance at him. "Danilo, this is not the time-"

"Don't you see?" the nobleman persisted. "The elf you're about to skewer is i

"Out with it!"

"Elaith Craulnobur thinks that you ate the Harper assassin!" Danilo blurted out. "Which means, of course, that he is not."