Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [128]
"Is that so? I thought you were going to have me killed."
"Not a matter for concern."
"That's easy for you to say," the nobleman retorted.
The elf's eyebrows rose in amusement. "Would it comfort you to know that the attempt has already been made?"
"The House of Good Spirits," Danilo said, suddenly understanding. His eyes narrowed. "So you knew all along who was behind the assassinations."
"If I did, I wouldn't have had to spend an obscene amount of money on bribes to the Zhentarim. They're quite willing to betray their own, but the price of friendship is high," Elaith said. He held up the documents he had shown to Arilyn two days earlier. "Where is Arilyn? I must speak with her about these."
Danilo calmed himself. "Someone sent copies of those papers to Waterdeep Castle. I thought it might be you."
"Good gods, no. It was Kymil Nimesin. He's the one who originally sent the bill to the Zhentarim. Working both sides of the fence, he's been amassing a tidy sum." The moon elf shook his head, and a grim expression replaced his usual facade of gentle amusement. "I'd like to know what Kymil plans to do with those funds. He should be quite a wealthy elf by now, and he's ending the scam by serving up Arilyn as the Harper Assassin."
Danilo looked up at Bran, his expression worried. "That would be a convenient way for Kymil to explain Arilyn's death, wouldn't it? The noble armsmaster slays the half-elf assassin?" Bran merely nodded, never once taking his eyes off Elaith's face.
"All the more reason for Arilyn to deal with Kymil at once," the moon elf agreed. He handed the papers to Danilo. "Please give her these."
The nobleman glanced at the papers. "I don't understand."
"It is always wise to have a contingency plan," Elaith said. "With this letter, Arilyn can turn the Zhentarim against Kymil. An amusing end for the villain, wouldn't you say?"
"Arilyn would not work with the Black Network!" Bran thundered.
"My dear Raven, do try to be practical for once." Elaith took the itemized bill from Danilo's hand. "There are a number of names on this list, people for whom the Zhentarim had no further use."
"Yes? So?"
"So, just suppose there were more names on this list, including some individuals who are important to the Zhentarim leadership."
Bran still looked outraged, but a tiny smile of comprehension tugged at Danilo's lips. "I see. Pad the bill a bit?" asked the young nobleman.
"If you chose the right names, it could raise some hackles," Elaith agreed mildly. "I've already looked into the matter. As usual, there have been several unexplained deaths in the network's ranks of late. If an explanation were suddenly presented…"
"Very clever," Danilo admitted, "but I doubt Arilyn would want the Zhentarim doing her work for her. Don't give the matter another thought. She'd prefer to handle Kymil Nimesin herself."
"You're probably right." Elaith inclined his head.
Bran observed the moon elf with suspicion. "This is hardly the behavior one expects from the famous Serpent."
Elaith let out a ripple of cynical laughter. "Do not make the mistake of thinking me noble. I am not."
"What do you want from Arilyn?" Bran demanded.
"Taking your fatherly duties a bit seriously, aren't you?" the elf mocked. His smile faded abruptly, and his amber eyes suddenly seemed dull and empty. "Don't concern yourself, Harper. I realize that Amnestria's noble daughter is beyond my reach. If Arilyn were in truth the devious assassin I once thought her, it would be another matter."
"Then why do you help her?" Bran asked, puzzled.
"Unlike the etriel, I have no compunction against letting others do my work for me." Suddenly Elaith's voice hardened, and his amber eyes met Danilo's. "Kymil Nimesin has insulted me too many times. I want him dead. Unless I miss my guess, Arilyn is going to kill him. It is that simple. Though she and I may be very different, where Kymil Nimesin is concerned we both want the same thing."
Danilo held the deadly elf's gaze for a moment, then he nodded. "Revenge," he said softly.
"We understand each other at last," said the