Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [35]
"No!"
In spite of his guilty, furtive eyes, Arilyn was inclined to believe him. This was no canny assassin. She started to ease the dagger away when a dull flash of gold caught her eye. Her free hand darted into the open sack that was tied around the man's waist, and she drew out a golden snuff box with a curling rune engraved on the lid. It was a familiar rune. Arilyn caught her breath.
"Where did you get this?" she rasped, thrusting the box close to the man's face. The rune on it was the sigil of the mage Perendra of Waterdeep. She had been one of the first to fall to the Harper Assassin.
The man's eyes filled with panic and flickered back and forth as if seeking a means of escape. "Waterdeep," he croaked. "I got it in Waterdeep."
"I know that. Tell me more."
"From an elf. In Waterdeep. That's all I know, I swear."
"Does this elf have a name?"
Beads of sweat broke out on the man's face. "No, please! If I tell you his name he'll kill me."
"If you don't, I'll kill you."
"Life is just full of difficult decisions," Danilo Thann noted behind her. The unexpected sound startled Arilyn.
"Are you still here?" She threw a glance over her shoulder. The nobleman was leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed.
"Well, naturally," he replied. "It's dangerous out here. Who knows, there could be more of these men lying in wait."
"I don't need protection," she said emphatically.
"My point precisely," he said. "If it's all the same to you, I don't mind remaining in the company of a lady who knows her way around a dagger."
"Suit yourself." Arilyn turned her full attention back to her captive. "The elf's name?"
"I can't tell you!" he said in desperation. The dagger began its path along his jaw again. "All right! All right."
"Well?"
"His name is-"
The ruffian's voice snapped off as if he'd been throttled. Slowly Arilyn lowered the dagger, watching in disbelief as the man's face blackened and his tongue bulged out of his mouth. She backed away, unable to take her eyes from the horribly distorted face. A low, rattling gurgle burst from the man, and he slid, lifeless, down the length of the tree trunk.
"Merciful Mystra!" exclaimed Danilo Thann. "You've killed him!"
Six
Arilyn spun around to face the horrified nobleman. "I did not kill this man," she said.
"Well, I certainly didn't," retorted Danilo Thann. "I might not know much, but I do know dead. And he's it. How do you explain that?"
"I can't."
"Me either. We'd better go back to the tavern and alert the local authorities. Let them figure it out."
"No!"
Her vehemence seemed to surprise the young dandy. "If you didn't kill him, what do you have to worry about?" he asked reasonably.
Plenty, Arilyn thought. The last thing she needed right now was to leave another body in her wake. Her past invited speculation, and sooner or later someone would put the pieces together and label her the Harper Assassin. That day seemed close at hand, for the news of Rafe's death was spreading far too quickly. Kymil already knew, so it was possible that the Evereska authorities had also learned of the young Harper's death.
"Come on," she said abruptly. She tucked the gold snuffbox into her sleeve and set a brisk pace back to the stables. The noblemen fell in beside her.
"Where are we going?"
"The stables."
"Oh? Why's that, I wonder?"
Arilyn was in no mood to banter. Under the guise of reclaiming Danilo's arm she pressed the tip of her dagger to his side. It pierced his silken tunic, but the fool's slightly amused expression never faltered.
"Do be careful of the fabric, will you?" he admonished her. Arilyn looked at his vague smile, wondering for the first time if the man were simple. "You're coming with me."
"Yes," he agreed calmly, pausing as Arilyn swung open the door to the stable. "So it would appear."
Irritated, she prodded him inside. "Just keep walking."
"Well, really," he huffed. "There's no need to be so grim about this. Believe me, I'm a willing victim," he said, looking her over and smiling.
His calm acceptance of the situation temporarily disconcerted Arilyn. Danilo