Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [29]
"I was concerned about you, so I made inquiries."
"Oh?"
Kymil regarded his pupil keenly. "You know, of course, that the assassin was looking for you."
Arilyn stared down at her clenched hands. "I've come to that conclusion, yes," she said evenly. "Now, if you don't mind, could we please speak of other matters? Have you another assignment for me?"
"No, I called the meeting to discuss the assassinations," Kymil said. He leaned forward to emphasize his words. "I'm concerned about your safety, child. You must take steps to protect yourself from this assassin."
Her head jerked up, and anger flooded her face. "What would you have me do? Hide?"
"Far from it," Kymil corrected her sternly. "You must seek out this assassin."
"Many seek him."
"Ah, but perhaps they are looking in the wrong places. As a Harper agent, you can succeed where others fail. In my opinion, the assassin hides within the ranks of the Harpers."
Arilyn drew in a sharp breath. "The assassin, a Harper?" she demanded, incredulous.
"Yes," Kymil noted. "Or a Harper agent."
She considered her teacher's words and nodded slowly. It was an appalling possibility, but it made sense. The Harpers were a confederation of individuals, not a highly structured organization. Harper agents-those like Arilyn who were not official members of the group, but worked on particular assignments-tended to operate alone, and many of the members kept their affiliation secret. It seemed incredible to Arilyn that this veil of secrecy could be turned against the Harpers, cloaking an assassin in their very midst. On the other hand, she had grown to trust Kymil Nimesin's judgment. He had been allied with the Harpers since she was an infant, and if he thought that the Harper Assassin was within the ranks she was inclined to believe him.
Kymil's urgent voice broke into her reflections. "You must find this assassin, and soon. The common people hold Harpers in high regard. If we cannot find and stop the murderer, it will damage the Harpers' honor and reputation."
The gold elf paused. "Have you any idea of the implications of this? Why, the Balance itself could be disrupted! The Harpers serve a vital function in fighting against evil, in particular the encroachments of the Zhentarim-"
"I know what the Harpers stand for," Arilyn said with a touch of impatience. Kymil had lectured her on the need for Balance since she was fifteen, and she knew his arguments by heart. "Have you a plan?"
"Yes. I would suggest that you go among the Harpers, in disguise if necessary, to ferret out the assassin."
Arilyn nodded. "Yes, you might be right." A slight, humorless smile flickered across her face. "At any rate, it is better than doing nothing. Just waiting for the assassin to strike is intolerable. I can't keep at it much longer."
"Why is it that you seem so unnerved by this threat? Your life has been in danger many times." Kymil paused and eyed her keenly. "Or is there something else?"
"There is," she admitted reluctantly. "For some time now-several months, actually-I've had the sense that I'm being followed. Try as I might, I can find no trace of pursuit."
"Yes?"
She'd expected him to reproach her, or at least to question her regarding her inability to lay hands upon her shadowy pursuer. "You don't seem surprised by this," she ventured.
"Many Harpers are highly accomplished rangers and trackers," Kymil responded evenly. "It's not inconceivable that this assassin, especially if he or she is from the Harper ranks, is skilled enough to avoid detection-even by someone as skilled as you. All the more reason, I believe, for you to take the offensive. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"That is all I have to say this evening. I would be happy to teleport you to Waterdeep-"
"No, thank you," Arilyn cut in hastily.
Kymil's eyebrows rose. "You do not intend to go to Waterdeep? It would seem a likely place to begin your search."
"I agree, and I do plan to go to Waterdeep. I just prefer to get there on horseback."
Exasperation flooded