Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [136]
Suddenly there was silence, and the tangle of blue lights began to fade. Kymil Nimesin rose slowly to his feet; the splintered shards of his sword lay scattered around him.
"Praise Mielikki, it's over," Bran said gratefully. With a sigh of relief, Danilo and the Harper came forward. The look on Arilyn's face stopped them, and dread again seized Danilo as he comprehended that the battle was not yet done.
As if it moved of its own accord, the moonblade drifted upward in Arilyn's hands. It leveled at Kymil Nimesin's throat and glowed with a malevolent blue light. The half-elf trembled with the effort of holding back the sword, and her face twisted against the urge to kill her former mentor. Kymil Nimesin stared defiantly at the blade and waited for death.
"Fight, Arilyn," Danilo pleaded. "Don't let the elfshadow and your own need for vengeance command you."
The magical current began to grow, as it had on the streets of Waterdeep. Again the air swirled madly around the battle's survivors in a tangible outpouring of the elfshadow's rage. Only Arilyn managed to remain standing against the gale-strength force.
"Come forth!"
Arilyn's commanding voice rang above the tumult. The angry current of magic energy faltered, then rapidly began to compress. In the span of two heartbeats the elfshadow stood before Arilyn.
"Have done," the half-elf insisted sternly. "We are not the only ones Kymil Nimesin has wronged. The Harpers have the right to bring him to trial. He must live for that."
"It is a mistake," protested the elfshadow, glaring at Kymil's prone form with undisguised hatred.
The half-elf's chin lifted. "Perhaps so, but it is mine to make." She lifted the moonblade, and for a moment Arilyn and her shadow faced each other.
At last the elfshadow bowed slightly and spread her hands, palms up, in the elven gesture of respect. The shadow faded into blue mist, which in a small quick vortex disappeared into the sword's moonstone.
Arilyn slid the moonblade back into the scabbard at her side and walked toward her companions. Bran had helped Danilo to his feet, and the young man was busily fussing over his once-fine clothing.
"Danilo."
He looked up at the half-elf. Her clothing was torn and bloodied and her face was nearly gray with exhaustion. To his perceptive gaze her elven eyes spoke as clearly as words. Finally, Arilyn was at peace with herself, and she was mistress of the moonblade.
"Now it's over," she said.
Epilogue
"Did I sing you the ballad about the Marsh of Chelimber?" Danilo asked the Harper.
"Twice," Bran Skorlsun said.
"Oh."
Arilyn chuckled. "Did you notice that the number of goblins and lizard men grows with each rendition? I expect that next he'll throw an orc or two into the pot for spice."
Arilyn, Danilo, and Bran lingered over sparkling wine at the House of Good Spirits, the night speeding by as they talked. The tavern emptied around them. Chairs went up on tables; barmaids slipped away to seek their beds. The innkeeper dozed behind the bar, his pockets weighted down by the gold Danilo had slipped him.
Despite their shared adventures and the various ties that bound them, they knew little of each other. The three were greedy to learn more of their companions' histories, dreams, and plans. By sunrise, they had made a start at that.
Inevitably the talk turned to the events of the day before. "Now that your good name is restored, what do you plan to do?" Bran asked Arilyn.
A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "The Harper tribunal found me innocent, but that does not necessarily restore my name. I should be able to find work, but it could be years before I regain my reputation."
"As an assassin?" Danilo said ingenuously.
Arilyn cast her eyes skyward and sighed. "Thank you for putting things back in perspective."
"How about you?" Bran asked