Depths of Madness - Erik Scott De Bie [76]
"Well," the halfling started. She contemplated the dark spot she was busy scuffing on her boot. "If I paid you enough… would you… kill Davoren for me?"
Twilight bit her lip, not a little stunned. Slip was always so compassionate, so loyal, so… good, for lack of a better term. Twilight could hardly believe the little woman could ask such a question.
"What could you possibly have to pay me?" asked Twilight.
"I could save the strongest healing magics of me lord for you," the halfling said. The words sounded so blatantly strategic. "If you'd do this thing, I-"
"Firstly, there can be no alliances," Twilight said. "If any of the others perceive us as partners, or even as friends, it will spark a schism. I do not want to worry about the others plotting against me, or you, or both of us."
"But-"
"No alliances. If I'm wounded, it's just the same as if Gargan, Liet, or, aye, even Davoren were wounded." She clutched Slip's arm tightly. "I want your word on that."
Slip's eyes fell and she sniffed. "Fine," she said, defeated.
"Secondly, do I look like an assassin?" asked Twilight. "Gods, no. I'm a thief, just like you. I don't kill for coin. Might as well be a dinger, or a fen, for that matter, winning with brute force and manual labor what I couldn't get through finesse." That she slipped into cant, referring to a thug and a prostitute, should have told Slip something. From her blank eyes, it didn't, so Twilight stopped. "I have a little more self-respect than that."
It was difficult to tell if Slip was pleased or disappointed.
"And thirdly, the prime reason you can't pay me to kill Davoren," said Twilight, leaning in close. She adopted a cold tone. "I'd gladly do it for free."
Slip giggled and Twilight grinned, though she didn't laugh. Slip was more than she seemed, and something she'd said had struck Twilight as wrong, but damned if she could place it. She was too tired.
The events of the previous night had drained her and left her numb-empty. She knew, however, what the others expected of her, and she could use it to her advantage. She felt like her old self again-or one of them, anyway. Taslin's blood had been a shock. Things couldn't continue as they had. Something had to change.
She hugged the little halfling tightly. Nervous about Liet, Twilight was glad of Slip's companionship. Perhaps she had her mysteries, and perhaps she was less than stable, but at least Twilight could rely on her to be mysterious and less than stable. And if there was a spy, she would need someone she could trust.
"We go by the south door," Twilight announced when they were ready to depart.
The teactions were myriad and telling. Liet bit his lip. Davoren rolled his eyes. Gargan shrugged noncommittally, and Slip balked. Liet thought they were past this, but whatever had happened to her this morning must have changed that.
"B-but," Slip said. "You said…"
"It matters not what I said," replied Twilight. "But let us be more specific. You four shall take the route south of the sanctum, which I know leads up."
"How?" Davoren snapped.
Twilight flashed him a whimsical smile. "I wouldn't be much of a thief if I didn't scout ahead," she said. "The door, which I have unlocked, leads steadily upward until it arrives at a trapdoor hidden in the ceiling, inscribed with the inverted Netherese runes we saw before. There, you will find your way."
"What do you mean, 'you' will find?" asked Liet. "You're coming with us, aye?"
"I rather fancy a jaunt through the east passage."
"The east passage!" Slip exclaimed. "But why? And alone? 'Light!" She ran to Twilight and threw her little arms around her-or, rather, around her legs. " 'Tis too dangerous! You can't leave us!" Tears started to roll from Slip's eyes.
Liet opened his mouth, but he was too stunned to speak. Was she mad?
"Pitiful whining whelp," mused Davoren. "Let her go-and good riddance."
"Oh, worry not, little one," said Twilight kindly. "I'm sure nothing will be awaiting. My scouting of last night revealed simply a door I had yet to open, perhaps a chamber yet to