Black wizards - Douglas Niles [128]
"The same." Evan's voice grew serious. "His loss is a blow, no doubt about it. Someone murdered him in his garden, in the full light of day!"
"But surely you have other stalwart defenders. You mentioned a cleric, er… what was his name?"
"Vaughn Burne. To be sure, he's a man worth a company or two!"
"Where might this cleric be? I mean, I hope he's safe."
"Oh, I shouldn't worry. He's busy tending to that flying wench I was telling you about. Right down the street from here." Evan sighed appreciatively as he finished his mug, and Kryphon signaled for another.
"I heard they took her to the Black Oak Inn," Evan said.
"Got nice, comfortable rooms there."
Kryphon laid a heavy gold coin on the table – enough to quench Evan's thirst for the entire evening and send him home with change. He patted the bandit's arm. "I have to go for a while. I want you to stay here and enjoy yourself!"
Evan grinned foolishly and hefted the coin. He didn't even notice Kryphon rising from the table.
The mage left the drinking room and climbed the stairs to his room. There he found Doric sprawled languidly on the large bed, wearing only her belt.
"I must seek the cleric," announced the mage, ignoring the look of desire she gave him. In truth, during the days they had been together he had grown altogether tired of the way Doric pursued him – never leaving him a moment's peace. At first, it had been a delightful aspect of their mission. Now, he wished he could send her back to Caer Callidyrr.
"Take me along" she pouted, seeing his lack of interest.
"No – this I will do alone. Once I locate him, I will of course let you help in his removal."
"Stay here for awhile first," she pleaded, moving over on the bed. The sight of her gaunt body and hollow cheeks revolted him, and he couldn't hide the disgust in his eyes.
"Then go!" she screamed. She picked up one of her boots and threw it at him, but it struck the door he had already slammed as he left.
The Black Oak Inn was easy to find. It was an enormous place, with a doorman at the entrance and a thick red carpet lining the floor of the huge main room. The wooden walls and ceiling beams had been sanded smooth, and the tables and chairs were of ornate detail, obviously imported from Waterdeep or Amn.
A servant escorted Kryphon to a table near a low fire, and a serving wench, dressed in a low-cut gown of red and black, inquired as to his desires. Her plump, rounded body – such a contrast to Doric's – intrigued him, and he watched her walk back to the bar. Then he took in the interior of the place.
There were about a dozen customers, mostly in pairs, sitting around the quiet, elegant room. He saw a partially screened-off stairway in the back of the room. The front door and a door to the kitchen were the only other exits.
The barmaid returned with his wine. "I would like to look at one of your rooms," he said. "I'm thinking of staying here."
She shrugged – what did she care where he stayed? And she didn't like the way he was looking at her. "They're upstairs" she said quickly, turning to another customer.
Kryphon finished his wine in several gulps and walked to the staircase behind the screen. The stairway was a fitting addition to the luxurious main room – the same red carpet covered the floor, and an ornate banister of carved oak ran beside the stairs.
Mounting the stairs quietly, he reached a short hallway on the second floor of the inn. There he found three doors on both sides of the corridor. He pushed the first open, finding an empty room. At the second, he heard two male voices engaged in quiet conversation. He passed that door to the third, where he heard nothing. Testing the latch cautiously, he discovered that it was locked.
"Eriath, gorax," he said softly, waving his hand before the portal and knocking once.
The door swung open easily. Startled, a young woman sat up suddenly in a deep featherbed. Her long black hair lay in disarray about her head, and her face was covered with scrapes and bruises. Yet her beauty was undeniable.
"Who are you?" she whispered.