Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [139]
Arilyn's laughter rang out. "It might. There is one problem, though. When the elfgate was in Evereska, I always felt drawn to the temple of Hannali Celanil. Does this mean I'll feel compelled to visit Khelben Arunsun?"
After sharing a chuckle with Arilyn over the picture she'd painted, Danilo sobered. "Actually, the location is appropriate. The elfgate created many imbalances. Moving it to Blackstaff Tower might help remove the wedge its creation placed between Evermeet and the Harpers."
"You're already talking like a Harper," Arilyn teased him. "Do you also plan to give up your frivolous ways?"
Instead of answering, Danilo removed the Harper emblem from his silken tunic. He folded back his cape and securely fastened the silver pin to the lining. The smile he turned on Arilyn was the lazy, vacant smirk of Waterdeep's celebrated fashion plate and most notoriously inept mage.
"Me, a Harper?" Danilo laughed. "My dear girl, that jest would inspire much mirth in some circles."
Arilyn smiled faintly. "So that's the way things will be."
"I think it's best," he said lightly. "What about you?"
"When I began my training, Kymil Nimesin told me that the moonblade set me apart. I've always felt that I had to stand alone, that I was a shadow to the sword's power. But the moonblade is mine, and things must change."
Arilyn drew the sword and pointed to the line of runes. "There are nine runes now; this new one is mine." She paused and chose her words carefully. "It is not so much a power, but the removal of certain restrictions." She turned the moonblade and offered it to Danilo, hilt first.
His gray eyes filled with understanding. Arilyn was offering him far more than her sword. Deeply moved, he accepted the symbol of her friendship and cradled it in his burned hands. "A rare and precious thing," he murmured, looking not at the moonblade but at the half-elf's face. "You honor me by sharing it."
Their gaze clung for a long moment, then Arilyn's eyes slid away. Her uncertain expression tugged at Danilo's heart. To lighten the moment, he assumed a cocky grin and returned the magic sword to its master. "Things of value should always be shared. Your beauty, for instance." He drew the translucent gown from his bag with a flourish. "Now, about this gown…"
Arilyn's smile brightened her face. "Don't push it."
About the Author
A transplanted New Engender and former teacher, Elaine Cunningham resides with her husband, Bill, and their two children, Andrew and Sean, in their cat-infested home in suburban Maryland. By day, she enjoys the company of her two extremely busy little boys. Writing comes during naps and preschool, nights and weekends. She often wishes there were another six hours in each day and that coffee was a tax-deductable expense. Elfshadow is her first novel.
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Table of Contents
THE HARPERS