Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [107]
Khelben shot a glance at Danilo. "Bran Skorlsun comes from a long-lived family."
"Indeed."
The archmage's jaw tightened. "He's also Arilyn's father."
Danilo slumped against the wall and raked both hands through his hair. "The poor girl," he murmured.
"Poor girl!" snapped Khelben. "Let's not lose sight of the broad picture, Dan. Have you forgotten that Arilyn's father carries the moonstone? The last thing we need is for stone and sword to become one again."
"There's that, too," Danilo admitted. His face hardened. "How is it that such a thing could occur?"
"The Harpers are a secret organization," Khelben repeated testily.
"So everyone keeps telling me. Must that mean the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing?"
"Certainly not. In this particular matter, it was deemed best that no one person know all the details concerning the dimensional door, or elfgate, as it came to be called."
"All things considered, do you still think that a wise course?" Danilo asked. "It seems to me that it's time to compare notes. You have a good idea what the assassin wants. Arilyn might have some notions as to who and why."
Khelben suddenly looked very interested. "Does she know the assassin's identity?"
"I'm not sure. I don't think so."
"Well, we'll have to wait until we know. We must find out whether this involves the elfgate."
"Blackstaff Tower is warded against magical observation. Why not tell Arilyn the whole story, here and now?" Khelben was silent for a time, and the young nobleman's face tightened. "Wait a minute. You don't trust her either, do you?"
"The issue is not whether I trust Arilyn or not. When the Harpers and the elves worked together to resolve the elfgate danger, I gave certain assurances." The archmage paused. "I pledged not to tell this tale to anyone, with the exception of my probable successor."
The young man lowered his head, stunned by the implication of the archmage's words. "You can't be referring to me," he murmured.
"Perhaps this is not the time to speak of such matters," Khelben said sternly, "but I would not make such a suggestion to you if I did not mean what I said. Neither would I break the pledge I made some forty years ago."
Danilo conceded with a nod. "I understand your position, but Arilyn is now searching openly for the moonblade's secret. What happens when this mysterious assassin decides she's getting too close?" His uncle did not speak, but the silence between them held the answer. "If the cause is sufficiently noble, the sacrifice is justified. Is that about right?"
Khelben's face was grim. "In the main, yes."
The young nobleman walked slowly to the door of the chamber. Doorknob in hand, he paused and spoke with his back still to the archmage. "With all due respect, Uncle Blackstaff, I'm not sure that I want to be your probable successor." He slipped through the door, closing it firmly behind him.
"Let's go," Danilo said to Arilyn as he descended the stairs. She rose and belted on the moonblade.
"Wait a minute, young man," Khelben called from the floor above. "You're leaving from the library, remember? The dimensional door?"
Danilo stopped at the foot of the stair, and his foolish grin was a little uncertain. "Oh. Right."
"Did you ride? Then you'll need to stable your horses here. I'll walk out with you and help you bring them around," Khelben said firmly.
When they reached the street, the archmage said, "By the way, Dan, the dimensional door from Candlekeep will not return you directly to Blackstaff Tower. You'll return to a place called Jester's Court, just off the corner of Selduth Street and the Street of Silks. The door is one-way and invisible, and it stands between the two twin black oak trees on the north side of the garden."
"I'll bear that in mind."
"I want you both to report back here before sunrise tomorrow. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Danilo answered flippantly. Without further discussion he and Arilyn led their horses to the stables behind Blackstaff Tower and returned with Khelben to the second