Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [124]
"Some Harpers from Cormyr contacted me," he said.
"Lycon of Sune? Nadasha?" Arilyn asked tersely. Bran nodded. "It figures. Kymil often worked with them, but they never fully trusted me. I imagine it was easy for Kymil to convince them that I was the Harper Assassin and that they should put you on my trail."
"So Kymil Nimesin arranged the death of Harpers to lure Bran to you, hoping to reunite the stone with the moonblade. Appalling," Khelben muttered. "But what would he want with the elfgate?"
Arilyn's smile was chilling. "I'll be sure to find out before I kill him."
"You can't go after Kymil," Khelben protested. "Now that the moonstone is back in the sword, the moonblade's very presence could help anyone-particularly an elf-find and use the hidden portal."
"She could meet Kymil before he finds the portal," Danilo suggested.
"Too late. He's already there," Arilyn said. "He left a message for me telling me where to meet him."
"Where-Oh, yes. Evereska," recalled Danilo. "He left word that he was going to Evereska. Well, let's go get him."
"Don't be a fool, Dan," Khelben snapped. "The moonblade must stay far away from Evereska. I take it you've already guessed that the elfgate was moved there," he said to Arilyn.
"Yes. Perhaps the moonblade can't go to Evereska, but I can." She unbuckled her sword belt and offered the magic sword to Khelben. "Here. The thing will be safe enough in your vault."
Khelben shook his head. "You can't go to Evereska without the sword, either. With the moonstone set in the hilt once more, the link between you and the weapon has been finalized. A wielder can't be separated from an active, intact moonblade for any length of time and live."
Arilyn regarded the sword in her hands for a moment, then hurled it across the room. It landed with a clatter. "So be it. If I can live long enough to meet and overcome Kymil Nimesin, I'll be content."
"Why?" Danilo demanded. He took her shoulders and shook her. "Why would you throw your life away?"
She met his eyes, defiant and resolute. "My life has never been completely my own, so it's not mine to keep or throw away. I must make amends for my misused sword." Her voice was firm and wholly devoid of self-pity. "I'll do so, but on my own terms. I may be a half-elf and a half-Harper, but I refuse to be half a person. I will not be the moonblade's shadow any longer."
"That has never been the case. You command the moonblade, not the other way around," Bran told her.
"If that were true, then I could choose to leave it behind," she said stubbornly.
"I don't suppose it would do any good to try to dissuade you," Khelben said.
"None."
"Then I'll keep the moonblade for you. You're right, the sword should stay here," the archmage conceded. "So should you, for that matter."
"Thank you, Khelben. I would ask one more thing from you. Can you lend me transport to Evereska? A griffon, perhaps, with a speed enchantment?" she asked.
"Very well," Khelben agreed. "If you insist upon going to Evereska, I'll get you there. But with one condition. Danilo goes with you."
"No." Her tone was implacable. "I go alone."
Khelben glared at Bran as if this were somehow his fault. "She is your daughter, beyond a doubt." He turned back to Arilyn. "All right, you've got transport. An enspelled griffon should suit as well as anything."
"Good. Where do I need to go for it?" Arilyn demanded.
"The stables are on the top of Mount Waterdeep." The wizard went to his desk and scrawled something on a bit of parchment. He pressed his signature ring to the note, and his rune magically burned onto the paper. Khelben handed the note to the half-elf. "Give this to the griffon master. He'll give you everything you'll need."
"My thanks." She started toward the tower's exit.
"Arilyn."
She froze at the sound of Danilo's voice but did not turn around. "You'll need a new sword." He faltered. "Permit me to lend you mine."
Arilyn nodded and accepted the blade Danilo offered her, then she stepped through the magic door.
Danilo watched her go, swearing under