Azure bonds - Kate Novak [161]
"Did you even try applying to a barding college?"
The halfling was silent for a moment. "No," she admitted.
"Why not? No, don't answer me. I'm really not interested in your excuses. Answer to yourself. Now, tell me, would-be bard, how did you come to be a companion to the swordswoman, Alias?"
Olive bridled some at the title, but she needed the Nameless Bard's help to free Alias. She began with Mist's abduction of her from the caravan in Cormyr, then explained how Dimswart had come to hire Alias. She described their battle with the crystal elemental, the disastrous brawl at the wedding, all that Dimswart had discovered about the sigils, and the destruction of the kalmari. She began slowly and nervously, like a schoolchild asked to recite, but she was not naturally a taciturn person, and her tale flowed smooth and clear by the time she described the events in Shadowdale.
To her own astonishment, she told the truth about her dealings with Phalse. She knew the story would not make much sense if she left out crucial elements. She related all Akabar had told her about the events in Yulash, how Dragonbait had subdued Mist, the battle with Moander, and finally how all of them came to be captured by Alias's enemies, the others by force, she by stupidity.
Olive had never had such a polite and riveted audience in her life. He interrupted her tale only once, when she was describing how Cassana had made Alias batter Akabar.
"You say she wept?" the true bard asked.
"Of course she wept," Olive said. "Akabar is her friend, and the witch was using her to pulp his flesh. I could see the streaks her tears left on her cheeks and the dark spots where they landed on the floor. Cassana thought it was pretty funny and made a stupid joke about it. She said, 'Look Zrie, she's crying. I'll bet I know who taught her that trick.' Then she used her wand to knock Alias out."
The true bard's lower lip quivered for a moment. He clamped it shut. "Finish. Quickly. Your friend is coming around."
Olive told how Cassana had put her to sleep, and the deal Zrie had offered her. "He unbolted the door for me. There were only two guards upstairs. I killed them and came down here looking for Akabar."
Akabar awoke slowly. Though weak, he was still strong enough to grab Ruskettle by the throat and throttle her. The Nameless Bard pulled the mage's hands away with his own sure grip.
"You've signed her death warrant, you greedy, little bitch!" Akabar shouted.
"I think there has been a misunderstanding," the Nameless Bard said calmly. "Your friend was using a ruse to win your enemy's trust."
Akabar's eyes squinted with disbelief, but he could not fight the strength of the true bard's hands.
Olive felt a rush of gratitude toward the bard. She had told him the whole truth, that her reasons for accepting Phalse's offer had been as much for greed as for a desire to play at espionage, but he had given her the benefit of the doubt.
"Look, Akash. I came down here to get your help to rescue Alias." That much was half true. "If you'd rather go back to your cell and wait for Cassana…"
Akabar spat on the halfling's gown.
"He's very emotional," she explained to the crafter.
"Look at me, Akabar Bel Akash," the Nameless Bard said. The power of his voice drew Akabar's eyes unwillingly from Olive.
"Do you want to rescue Alias?"
Akabar took a deep breath, almost a sob. "Yes."
"So does this creature. So do I. Contain your anger. It is a waste of your energies. You should know that."
Akabar took another deep, slow breath. He relaxed his muscles. The true bard released his wrists.
"Who are you?" Akabar asked.
"The Nameless Bard."
"Nameless? No one is nameless."
"They took his name away," Olive explained.
"Who?" Akabar asked.
The Nameless Bard sighed. "Eat," he said, motioning toward the food that Olive had taken from Cassana's larder. "You'll need your strength very soon. I will tell you my story while you dine."
Akabar noticed his books in Olive's bundle and motioned for them. Olive slid them to his side. She remembered how he had asked