Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [69]
Danilo dismounted at the gate and muttered a cantrip, casting an easy spell that would keep his horse tethered. Another quick spell opened the gate. Danilo strode quickly through the courtyard, and, after knocking on the tower and softly speaking his name, he walked through an invisible door into the wizard's reception hall.
Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun descended the spiral staircase to meet his nephew. "I see you've finally managed the door," he observed.
Danilo grinned and rubbed an imaginary lump on his head. "Missed it enough times, wouldn't you say?"
"Indeed. Well, come up, come up. I've been waiting for your report," Khelben said, gesturing for Danilo to follow him up to the parlor.
Steaming cups of roasted chicory rested on a small table between two comfortable chairs. Danilo cast his a longing look but insisted, "I haven't much time. Arilyn is at Loene's house on Waterdeep Way. I need to get back before I'm missed."
"Of course." Khelben settled down and took up his cup. "Have you anything concerning the assassin's identity?"
"Not yet. Back in Evereska, Arilyn was followed by a thug from Waterdeep. In his possession was a snuffbox bearing the sigil of Perendra."
Khelben choked on a mouthful of chicory, and Danilo nodded grimly. "In answer to your next question, yes, I'm sure it was Perendra's mark. She was one of the first to die, wasn't she?"
"Yes," Khelben said as soon as he could speak. "Unlike the later victims, she was not marked with the brand. It is possible that her death was not the work of our assassin. Did that man admit to killing Perendra?"
"No. He claimed he'd gotten the box from an elf. He was obviously enspelled to die before he could reveal the villain's name. Arilyn, I assume, intends to track him or her down."
"Good. Stay with her as she does. Now the sword. Tell me everything you can think of."
Danilo perched on the edge of his chair, took a deep breath, and spoke fast. "It's elvencrafted and very old, made of some dull but very strong metal I don't recognize. There are runes down its length-Espruar, I think, though a form I've never seen-and also on the sheath. There's a large gem on the hilt, and it-"
"Stop!" Khelben demanded. Alarm etched itself across the wizard's face as he leaned intently toward his nephew. "There's a moonstone in the hilt? Are you sure?"
"No, it's a topaz."
"Did she say anything about this stone?" Khelben urged.
"Actually, yes. She told me that her teacher, Kymil Nimesin, had it set in the hilt to balance the blade."
"I see." Khelben relaxed. "Good. I didn't know Arilyn was trained by Kymil Nimesin, but it figures. He's one of the best armsmasters in the Realms, and he works for the Harpers from time to time. Go on."
"The sword cuts through metal and bone as if it were slicing a summermelon. Its strike is unusually fast, although I think a good deal of that is Arilyn. According to her, the sword cannot shed innocent blood. Just how it ascertains innocence, I don't know. It warns of danger-"
"How?"
"It glows. It also glows sometimes when Arilyn draws it, but sometimes it doesn't. I can't figure out any kind of pattern to that."
"And if anyone else were to draw it?"
"They would get fried like a flounder," Danilo concluded flatly.
"Of course," Khelben muttered. "It is a hereditary blade, after all." He arched an eyebrow at Danilo. "You didn't find this out through personal experience, I trust?"
"Unfortunately, I did. Fortunately, I barely touched it."
Khelben chuckled at Danilo's droll tone, but quickly sobered. "Anything else?
"It can also warn Arilyn of danger by sending dreamwarnings."
"Interesting. All right, what else?"
Danilo told his uncle what had transpired, starting with the inn near Evereska and describing the mysterious assault at the House of Good Spirits.
"Poison," muttered Khelben, visibly annoyed with his