Depths of Madness - Erik Scott De Bie [84]
Twilight tensed. "In the trade tongue," she said. "Are you our enemy?"
The goliath did not seem surprised. "No," he said.
A quick glance at Slip told her it was true. "Are you a spy, or otherwise in league with our foe?" Gargan shook his head, but Twilight cut him short. "You must speak it."
He did, and Slip nodded.
"You may go." Twilight pointed. "And take my thanks."
The goliath nodded once, then walked away to join Davoren in the alley behind the smithy. The shadowdancer blew out a long sigh.
"One left," the halfling said.
"Yes," Twilight said, shivering. "One left."
Twilight held her breath as Liet came in. She had been dreading this, but she knew it had to be done. Of course she knew Liet was innocent, but she had to ask. It had to look convincing.
The youth gave her that familiar smile, as much to reassure Twilight as himself.
"A private audience." He eyed both Slip and Twilight. "Can I be of aid, lovelies?"
His comfortable manner-increasingly suave, she noted, and fancied she had something to do with that-put her at ease, but Twilight hesitated to show it. Her investment was likely common knowledge by now-their kiss had made that obvious-but it would not do to show favoritism.
"Just questions," she finally said.
"Pity," Liet said. He sat down, none too comfortable on the strange chair. It had nearly cooled since Davoren had heated the metal, for which Twilight was glad. A seat made answering thinly concealed accusations much easier.
"Are you Liet Sagrin, son of Harrowdale, and sometime swordsman?"
"And are you Fox-at-Twilight, daughter of mystery, and sometime thief?"
"This is no game," Twilight said. "You must answer my questions. Billfora has cast a spell that detects lies, and so she must hear your truths-and falsehoods."
Liet's eyes widened and his mouth trembled, pained. "You doubt m-" he paused, then finished the question another way. "You doubt your own ears?"
"Let us simply say," Twilight replied, "that I need a second opinion."
Liet's shoulders slumped. He was defeated. "Very well. Ask."
"Are you a loyal member of our band?" She raised a hand to cut off his objection. "Loyal to our well-being, and to the success of our venture."
"As best I'm able." She frowned. "Aye. I serve."
"But serve who, Liet?" She took a step toward him.
"But surely I serve you, Twilight," said Liet, rising toward her, "if I'm loyal to out well-being and the success of this venture of ours."
"Unless you think me mad or wrong." She stepped up to him.
"Unless that." He faltered for a heartbeat. "Though I don't think either."
They stared at each other, eyes not a pace apart. Theirs was a battle of will, rather than of words or swords. The world fell silent around them and they existed alone.
"Ahem?"
Twilight tore her eyes from Liet and looked at Slip. The halfling fidgeted.
"I…" Twilight trailed off. Asking the question should have been a simple matter, and yet it was not.
"Ask, Twilight," Liet said, and her eyes snapped back to him. He caught up her hand, and she could feel the warmth pass into her like a spark of power. The youth brought her fingers up to his lips. His next words were a whisper. "I'm not afraid."
Twilight could not say the same.
"Very well," she said. "Are you, Liet Sagrin, a spy?"
"Nay." He was telling the truth, as Slip confirmed with a nod. Twilight looked back, locking Liet's mismatched eyes-one blue, one green-with her own stare. She wondered what color her eyes seemed. They changed like her face-like herself.
"Are you in league with our enemy?"
"Davoren? Nay."
"The force that is attempting to slay us," Twilight said. "That Mad Sharn, perhaps, or whatever dark lord is responsible for the deaths of our friends-the murderers of Asson and Taslin… whoever our enemy is. Are you a servant of our foe?"
Liet's eyes searched her own. "Nay," he said.
Not a lie. Did she detect the hint of a smile? Just her imagination.
"Aie you our enemy?" Twilight asked, inspiration striking. "Have you deceived us all this time, hiding your true identity in an effort to slay us and drive us mad?"