City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [93]
“You have a plan, then?”
“I’m still working on that part,” Lei said. “But don’t forget I’m the one who’s been to the city before. I’ve let my concerns with my house cloud my judgment. I have other friends in Sharn. Acquaintances, at the least. It’s time to catch up with a few of them.”
“As you wish.”
“Give me your bow. No one’s going to attack us in Upper Menthis, and you already stand out like a troll in the court of Metrol.”
“My lady, it is unwise to limit our defensive options.”
“Pierce, trust me. You’re a Cyran warforged. It’s like Greykell said. Walking around with a weapon in your hand, you present a challenge to the guards. It’s one thing if you’re skulking in the shadows, but that’s not what I have in mind.”
A human might have shrugged or sighed. Seeing the futility of further argument, Pierce handed his bow to Lei, who stowed it away in the depths of her pack.
“And the flail.”
“My lady—”
“I told you, Pierce. Up here our best defense is to look harmless.” She held out her hand. “As long as you follow my lead, everything will be fine. Don’t worry. You’ll get it back before we return to the lower wards.”
“Very well.” He pulled the weapon from its harness and handed it over.
“Thank you. Now, I think the best idea is for you to play the role of a house servant. Remember that pompous ass Domo at Round Wind? I know it’s not what you were designed for, but the war’s over and servants are something the people here understand.”
“What about a bodyguard?”
Pierce’s tone seemed slightly stiff, and Lei gave him a curious glance. Had she insulted him? “Fine. You can be my bodyguard. But I’m still keeping the flail out of sight. It’s just a little too … well, blunt for this crowd.”
Eventually the lift came to a stop at an open-air district, a network of platforms and bridges bound to the massive central towers. Lei led Pierce off of the lift and onto a quiet street. It was a residential neighborhood, filled with orderly rows of wood-and-plaster houses. Most of these homes were identical, painted white and trimmed in brown. But here and there a few trellises were covered with Eldeen rainbow ivy, creating living murals of vivid color.
“They call this area Ivy Towers,” Lei said. “Many of the students and scholars of Morgrave University make their homes here. The university itself is just around the ring.”
“And who are we visiting?”
“A friend of mine, Lailin Calis. We spent a year at Arcanix together. I’ve never had much luck with augurs, but I’d feel foolish if I didn’t at least talk to him. Hopefully he’s still here. And Pierce? I hate to ask, but if there was ever a time to lay on the ‘my lady,’ this would be it.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
They continued down the quiet street. A patrol of the Watch passed by with only the slightest glance at Pierce. A turn of the corner, and they came to a house covered with myriad shades of blue ivy.
“This would be his,” Lei said. She stepped up to the door but paused even as her hand went for the bell-pull. “What is it, my lady?”
“There’s a note tucked into the door,” Lei said, pulling it from the frame. “And it’s addressed to me.” Cautiously unfolding the paper, she read:
Dearest Lei,
I’m sorry that I cannot be here to greet you in person, but I am attending a gathering on Pride of the Storm. I hope that you can join me there. I will tell Lord Dantian to expect you and your companion. Any skycoach can bring you up to the yacht at Dantian’s expense. Such arrangements are typical for his gatherings. I hope to see you soon.
Yours,
Lailin
“Apparently we’re expected,” Lei said, handing the note to Pierce. He read it somberly.
“Impressive,” he said. “But I admit to some concern. An augur would need to inquire specifically about you to gain such information, would he not?”
Lei shrugged. “The sphinx said that we could be seen from far away. I guess she’s not the only one who sensed my arrival.”
“Hence my concern. May I have my weapons back, my lady?”
“Please, Pierce,” Lei said. “We’ve been invited aboard a Lyrandar lord’s yacht. Even if I gave you