Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [97]
"Gods, no, Braundlae," the merchant said. "If the Purple Dragon was dead, all the up-noses like the lad here-ho, beg pardon, lad, I didn't mean ill of you and your house, mind-wouldn't have anyone to line up to talk to and arrange all those last dirty deals with before His Highness croaks!"
"Hah!" Braundlae put her hands on her hips. "Do you think the High Wizard keeps the place crawling with war wizards for nothing? They keep poor old Azoun's eyes and mouth moving and a voice coming out and suchlike with magic, and all the high-and-mighties go away thinking they've made an agreement with the king, when all they've really done is-Oh, sir," she broke off, turning to Dauneth. "I took the liberty of bringing you our home brew and some sausage rolls, as I heard Master Rhauligan praising them to you earlier! Would you like something different?"
"Ah, no, no. This'll be fine, thank you, good lady," Dauneth said hastily. The woman gave him a merry smile and bent in a court curtsey, saying to Rhauligan, "You'll note the lad called me a 'good lady,' Rhauly. Good manners might not come amiss from you on occasion, mind!"
"Ah," the merchant said, bending forward over the table with a leer, "but then the lad doesn't know you as well as I do, does he? 'Good,' aye, I'll grant that, but-"
He ducked the playful snap of her apron with the ease of long practice, snatching up the lid of his bowl in mock fear to serve as a buckler. Dauneth glanced idly at the contents of the bowl and then stared down at them in horrified fascination. The merchant caught sight of the look on the young man's face and followed it down to his bowl.
"What's the matter, lad? Never seen eels in mint-and-lime hot sauce before? If your family was originally from Marsember, by the dragon, you must have eaten eels once or tw-"
"Oh, I have," Dauneth said faintly, "though they're no favorite of mine. But I've never seen anyone eat them alive and still moving-"
The merchant gaped at him. "But that's the best way, lad! Why, of course you disliked eels if they brought 'em to you all dead and cold and rubbery! Why-"
"I think," Dauneth said firmly, "that I'll take my sausage rolls upstairs…"
"Why, yes, do that, lad-and when I'm done chasing these 'ere eels around the table, I'll bring you a second tankard. How's that?"
"Splendid," Dauneth said through clenched teeth. "Simply splendid." He'd grown quite pale, and at the temples his skin almost matched the color of his gray eyes. "I'll see you then…"
He rose hastily and clumsily, the heavy broadsword at his hip banging into his chair. He turned to leave with a dignity that was somewhat spoiled by his having to turn back to the table to take up his forgotten tankard, then strode to the stairs.
"Sir!" Braundlae's voice was friendly but swift. "That's a full tankard of our best Black Bottom, and three piping-hot sausage rolls with Silver Dragon Sauce, too! How will you be paying for that?"
Dauneth turned. "Oh. Sorry I thought that upstairs…"
"Is the Roving Dragon, sir. Caladarea's place-not mine. I'm sure she'll not mind you bringing in food that's better than she'll ever serve, but I'll certainly mind if you walk out with it!"
"That was not my intention, lady," the tall, gangly youth said stiffly, trying to fish in his belt purse with a hot covered dish in one hand and a tankard in the other. The purse looked heavy both Braundlae and the merchant noted professionally. He plucked out three coins and laid them in her palm. Braundlae peered at them rather suspiciously and then gasped.
"Three golden lions! Sir, one will settle everything ten times over! I'll have to go hunting, this early, for coins enough to change-"
"Keep it," Dauneth told her quickly. "And cover Master Rhauligan's bill with it, if you would. Only don't let him bring any eels upstairs." And without looking back, he dashed up the stairs, bumping his elbow on the rail and his scabbarded sword on several steps along the