All Shadows Fled - Ed Greenwood [84]
"They'll find something," Argast said. "They always do. I think skill at finding targets for blame is part of the wisdom of being an elder."
Near the Standing Stone, the Dales, Flamerule 24
"There's a large party on the road south of the Stone," Sharantyr said. She leapt lightly down from the lowest bough of the tree. The others were already loosening weapons in sheaths and taking up their gauntlets.
"Did you see lots of armor?" Belkram asked eagerly.
Sharantyr shook her head as she unlooped the reins of her mount. "No, bold warrior. I saw horses, men's heads above them, and dust. At least twenty horses, and probably more." She vaulted into the saddle and looked to Storm.
The Bard of Shadowdale smiled. "It's always good to have a look at the Stone before one rides there. It avoids a lot of surprises."
"Could it be another Zhent army?" Itharr asked as they guided their horses cautiously around roots, down mossy banks, and out onto the Hillsfar road.
Storm frowned. "Blackhelms riding openly, no. Some of our people"-they knew she meant the Harpers- "would have brought me word of any such force gathering or on the move through Sembia. Zhent agents could well have sponsored some hireswords-but on the other hand, were I an honest merchant in times as troubled as these, I'd travel in a large band with plenty of bought blades to defend me, too." A faint smile crossed her face, and she added, "So, as usual, we'd best be ready for anything."
They rode in wary silence past the ancient Standing Stone, seeing the glitter of steel in the forefront of the travelers coming north toward them. It was soon evident that the front rank consisted of five hard-eyed mercenaries with ready crossbows and full armor. They came on without stopping, loading and leveling their bows as they saw the armed rangers.
At the sight of those preparations, Storm said, "Stay well back, all of you. With magic unreliable, I can't protect you against crossbow bolts."
Itharr made a small sound of protest, but Sylune's soft voice said, "Heed her. Your death can be avoided this time if you act wisely, so why not avoid it?"
In the silence that followed, they watched Storm ride to meet the oncoming band.
"Stand aside, brigand," one of the hireswords ordered shortly.
"Surrender your names and business to me, mercenary," Storm replied calmly, unmoving. "Stand aside, I said!"
"Is anyone in this mounted assembly of a more reasonable mind?" Storm asked mildly. "Most travelers on these roads are well aware that the Knights of Myth Drannor patrol here; if your business is lawful, our encounter may be brief and pleasant.,. but an exchange of information is expected."
A crossbow snapped, and a quarrel flew. Belkram growled and made to launch his mount forward, sword flashing out.
At his ear, Sylune" said in a voice of iron, "Stand and watch! You may even learn…"
Storm calmly plucked the crossbow bolt from her breast, examined it critically, and held it out, looking at the gaping man who'd fired it. "Yours, I believe?"
"Who are you?" another of the mercenaries snapped, face pale and voice sharp with alarm,
"Ah," Storm replied pleasantly, "the words you should have spoken first. I am Storm Silverhand, Bard of Shadowdale, and am accompanying a road patrol ordered by Lord Mourngrym of Shadowdale and the Knights of Myth Drannor to keep peace on the roads in these perilous times. Again, I ask you your names and business."
She tossed the crossbow bolt, underhanded, back to the man who'd fired it. He juggled it but dropped it to the road, and started to dismount.
"What's the delay here?" a man in rich robes called, urging his mount forward.
A man in a yellow cloak, who rode behind the mercenaries, answered, "Some sort of road patrol asking our business."
"Ignore them; we're in a hurry."
"A hurry to go where, goodsir?" Storm asked quietly.
"Ride her down!"