Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [26]
"Does she really look like this, or did you take artistic license?" Danilo asked.
"She really looks like that," Khelben confirmed. He cocked his head and amended cryptically, "Well, sometimes she looks like that."
Danilo glanced up, his brow furrowed. He shook his head to rid himself of the temptation to pursue the subject and got back to the business at hand. "Besides being the future mother of my children, who is this beauty?"
"The assassin's target."
"Ah. You want me to warn her?"
"No," Khelben continued, "I want you to protect her. And, in a manner of speaking, spy on her. If I'm right, you'll need to do both in order to catch the Harper Assassin."
Danilo sank onto the stone bench beside the statue. The vague, charming smile had disappeared from his face, and once again his tone was grim. "I'm supposed to catch this Harper Assassin, am I? Perhaps you'd better start at the beginning."
"Very well." Khelben seated himself beside his nephew. He stabbed a finger at the portrait that still lay cradled in Danilo's hand. "During most of the assassinations, perhaps all of them, this woman has been near at hand."
"Sounds to me as if you have a suspect, not a target." Danilo's tone was laced with regret as he eyed the portrait.
"No."
"No?" Danilo's tone was both surprised and hopeful.
"No," reiterated Khelben firmly. "And I say this for several reasons. She's a Harper agent. One of the best. In my opinion, the assassin has been after her for some time. When he can't get close enough to strike and still avoid detection, he settles for a less challenging target."
"I'm sorry, but considering some of the Harpers who have fallen to this assassin, I find your theory difficult to swallow," Danilo protested. To support his argument, he ticked off a list on the fingers of one hand. "Sybil Evensong, Kernigan of Soubar, the mage Perendra, Rathan Thorilander, Rafe Silverspur…" Danilo's voice trailed off, and he had to clear his throat before he continued. "This woman couldn't be more capable than any of those."
"Yes, she could."
"Really? Hmm. Why does your pretty Harper agent draw this assassin? Apart from the obvious reasons, naturally."
"She has a moonblade," Khelben explained tersely. "It's a magic elven sword, very powerful. It is possible that the assassin, whoever he is, is after Arilyn's sword."
"Arilyn," Danilo repeated the name absently, looking down at the picture once more. "It suits her. Arilyn what?"
"Moonblade. She has taken the sword's name as her own. But we digress."
"Indeed. So, what can this magic sword do?"
Khelben took his time before answering. "I'm not aware of all its powers," he said carefully. "That's where you come in."
"You said that already," Danilo observed.
The mage's face darkened with exasperation. "Apart from you and me, do you see anyone in this room?" he snapped. "There's no need to continue playing the fool."
Danilo smiled apologetically. "Sorry. Habit, you know."
"Yes, well, please attend to the matter at hand. The possibility exists that Arilyn Moonblade has been targeted for her sword as well as her talents. If we find out who has an interest in the moonblade and why, we have a better chance of finding this assassin."
Danilo sat quietly for a long moment. "One question."
"Go ahead."
"Why me?"
"Secrecy is vital. We can't send someone obvious."
"Oh," Danilo crossed one knee over the other and flicked a lock of hair over his shoulder in an exaggerated, effeminate gesture. "Is it my imagination, or was I just insulted?"
Khelben scowled. "Don't belittle yourself, boy. You've proven to be a more than capable agent, and you're perfect for this job."
"Indeed," Danilo agreed wryly. "Protecting a woman who doesn't seem to require my protection."
"There's more. We need information about the moonblade. You have proven to be very successful at separating women from their secrets."
"It's a gift," Danilo modestly agreed. He tapped the portrait and added, "Not that I'm trying