City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [15]
The ninth bell was ringing when Daine opened his eyes. He was alone. His hand dropped to his sword—and found nothing. The door to the room began to open. He rolled to the side and rose up behind the door. A large armored figure crept into the room, moving with eerie silence. Daine clenched his fists together and prepared to deliver a mighty blow to the back of the intruder’s skull … and then checked himself.
It was Pierce.
“Pierce! Where are the others? Where’s my sword?”
Pierce turned to face him, seemingly unsurprised. “Jode went out earlier this morning. I believe that he took your sword with him. Lady Lei is in the common room, finishing breakfast. Mistress Dassi is about to close her kitchen, and Lei thought you might want food. I’m supposed to tell you that she ‘won’t be conjuring food for anyone too lazy to get out of bed at a reasonable hour.’”
Daine scowled and reached for his chainmail shirt.
“I don’t believe you need arms, Captain. I was studying the other patrons. There were a few knives, but I don’t believe there is any imminent danger.”
Daine shrugged. “Well then, let’s go.”
Lei was sitting at a round table, talking with the innkeeper. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and she seemed more pale then usual. Her voice was cool and level. “You’re in luck, Daine. Dassi saved the last bowl of gruel for you. By now I imagine it’s cold. Just the way you like it.”
The halfling scuttled off to fetch Daine’s meal. Lei’s conjured food had no taste whatsoever. After trying the innkeeper’s cold, pasty porridge, Daine found that he missed it.
“How are you?” he asked.
Lei glared at him. “Fine. Wonderful. Oh, I couldn’t be better. General.”
Her voice was sharp, but Daine let it go. At this point, anger might be the only way to hold back tears. “No sign of Jode?”
“No. The wretched weasel took my pack. If he does anything with my warforged, I’ll skin him alive.”
“Lei …” He tried to touch her hand, but she jerked away. “We’ll get through this.”
She glared at him. “Don’t you dare tell me how I should feel, Daine. You have no idea. This is my family. This is my life. To be treated like this, to think that Hadran would allow this …”
“Is there anyone you can talk to? This isn’t your first time in Sharn. Is there anyone who might give us information?”
Lei started to snap, then took a deep breath and began again. “Yes … it’s possible. They’d never see me at the enclave, but there are a few people I might look to. But you have to understand, my family was from Metrol. I don’t know many of the Brelish Cannith, and if Hadran won’t see me … I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Try to be patient. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
The door flew open, and Jode came in from the street. He was smiling and flushed, and half-dragging Lei’s pack. “Drinks all around!” he called, tossing Dassi a gold galifar. “First round’s on me.”
“At tenth bell?” Daine remarked. But none of the other patrons were turning down a free round, and it had been some time since Daine had had anything other than water. Unfortunately, the Manticore’s ale was of the same fine quality as its porridge.
Jode climbed up on the table and slid the pack across to Lei. She watched him with narrowed eyes. He smiled disarmingly and took a long pull of ale, followed by a terrible face.
“How is it we’re suddenly buying for the house?” Daine asked. Lei was already looking through the pack.
“Well, I thought it would be good if I got the lay of the land, got to know my way around town, and while I was at it I found a pawner who seemed like a decent woman, and I thought it would be good if we had a few coins to rub together.”
“Where’s my crossbow?” Lei said.
“Oh, come now. We’re in the greatest city in the world! Do you really think you need a crossbow on the streets of Sharn?”
Daine put a gentle hand on the halfling’s shoulder. “Pierce said that you took my grandfather’s sword with you when you left this morning. May I have it back now?”
“I’m sure it will be safe, Daine.” He tightened his grip. “You know I’ve