Daughter of the Drow - Elaine Cunningham [75]
"Kharza, we must talk," she said quickly, glancing pointedly at the stranger.
Before the wizard could respond, the red-haired drow rose to his feet and swept Liriel a polite bow. "I would greet you, lady, but I do not know your name and house," the male said. "Kharza-kzad, would you be so kind?"
The wizard's worry lines deepened into veritable canyons, but he launched into the formulaic introduction. "Liriel of House Baenre, daughter of archmage Gromph Baenre, may I present to you my associate Nisstyre, captain of the merchant band Dragon's Hoard."
Nisstyre's black eyes lit up and he bowed again. "I was not expecting such an honor. Our mutual friend assures me you were pleased with his recent gift?"
"The book of human lore," Kharza said reluctantly, noting Liriel's blank expression. "Nisstyre was the source of it."
"And I would be happy to supply you with others, if you should so desire. The Dragon's Hoard is famous for procuring anything, regardless of cost. I'm sure the wizard would be happy to attest to our discretion. We have been supplying his house for many years."
Such arrangements, Liriel knew, were not uncommon. Many of the noble houses sponsored merchant bands, for such was their only tie with the world outside Menzoberranzan. In turn, the threat of retaliation from some powerful matron granted the merchants a degree of security they might not otherwise have enjoyed. Liriel recognized at once the value of such an ally, and she turned the full force of her smile upon the exotically handsome male.
"I do not require any books tonight, but perhaps you can help me with another matter. I need to hire some discreet muscle."
The merchant lifted one copper-colored brow. "There are mercenary bands in this city, I believe."
"Yes, and most answer to some matron or other," she said, dismissing that possibility. "This is personal, and private."
"I see. What, exactly, did you have in mind?"
"1 found a drow patrol in the tunnels, killed hi battle with dragazhar. I want some of the bodies moved to the mouth of the Drygully Tunnel, along with a few of the dead bats. There you will set the scene to make it appear the battle occurred in that place."
Nisstyre studied the girl for a long moment. "Such a thing could be done, but I fail to see its purpose."
Liriel's chin rose to a regal angle. "Accept the task or decline it, but do not presume to question me."
"A thousand pardons, lady," the merchant murmured without a trace of sincerity. "And if I accept, I trust you can fund such an expedition?"
He casually named a price; it was steep, but not nearly as high as Liriel would have expected.
"You shall have that and more," she promised. "I can give you your fee now, in gold or gems as you wish. I will also show you the location of the dragazhar lair. You're welcome to all the treasure you care to dig out of the bat guano. I don't lay claim to any of it. In addition, I counted some forty dragazhar young. Deepbats are popular companions to wizards; harvest a few of the young for training as familiars, and you'll earn your fee again, some twenty times over. All this you may have, provided you do as I say-without question. Do you accept these terms?"
Nisstyre smiled. "With pleasure."
"Excellent. Kharza, I need you to come, too."
The wizard balked. "I, enter a dragazhar lair?"
"Well, why not? What good is magic unused?"
"But-"
"If we disturb the deepbats' food supply, they will attack. Count on it. And from what little I could see, I'd say the cave holds a large community, at least six hunting packs. Well need an extra wizard."
"I believe I can assist you there, my lady," broke in the merchant. "Like yourself, I am well versed in the Art."
Liriel looked