Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [75]
Finally Arilyn stopped a dour passerby and asked for the Rearing Hippocampus Inn. He looked at her as if she'd struck him. "It was over there," the man said, pointing to a large wooden structure. Arilyn shot a glance at the building.
"Ah, here you are," the man said glumly, turning away from Arilyn to address two servants, who carried between them a wooden sign. On it Arilyn saw the name of the inn she sought, as well as a crudely carved picture of a hippocampus. The man sighed, cast a last wistful glance at the building, and set off down the road. His servants fell in behind him, carrying their strange banner.
Puzzled, Arilyn walked to the building and peered in through the open door. Chairs were up on the tables, and a small army of workers bustled about, scrubbing and polishing every surface of the tavern. Merchants came and went with stocks of food and drink. In the midst of the commotion, directing it all with gentle commands, stood Elaith Craulnobur.
"Adder Lane. Quite an appropriate address for the good elf's new establishment, wouldn't you say?"
Arilyn jumped and turned to face the source of the familiar, drawling voice. Her jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Hello there," said Danilo Thann, as casually as if they had never parted company. He looked her over carefully, taking in her disguise with ill-concealed distaste. "I must say, as disguises go I much prefer the Sembian courtesan. You are convincing, though. For a moment, I mistook you for my stableboy. He has a cap just like that one, only I believe his is brown."
Arilyn shut her mouth and glared at the nobleman. "What are you doing here?"
"Visiting friends?"
"You have friends?"
His brows rose in lazy surprise. "Really. That's quite a welcome, considering all the trouble I've gone through to find you."
Arilyn sniffed. "Why did you bother?"
"I'm beginning to wonder about that myself," he murmured. "You don't seem happy to see me."
In truth, Arilyn wished that she weren't quite so pleased to see the dandy again. The half-elf's eyes narrowed. "How did you find me? Your skills at tracking must far surpass your spellcasting or your bardcraft."
"Really my dear, you should reserve judgment until you hear my latest song. It's really quite-"
"Enough!" she burst out. "For once, give me the courtesy of a straight answer. How did you find me? Loene?"
"Well…"
"Loene," Arilyn confirmed grimly. "I owe her one. Now, why did you come after me? The truth!"
He shrugged. "All right, but you might not like it."
"Try me."
"I seem to have acquired one of your shadows, my dear," Danilo informed her. "I've come to give it back."
Arilyn drew back. "I don't understand."
"Oh dear. I was afraid you'd say that," Danilo said with a sigh. "Well, let me shed what light I can. As you know, I left Loene's house last night. I've been away from Waterdeep for several tendays, and I simply had to attend to a personal errand of some importance."
"Mother Tathlorn's House of Pleasure and Healing?"
Danilo's shrug made no commitment either way. "Ever since my little trip, something has been following me. Notice," he said pointedly, "that I said something. I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn around there is never anyone there. It is," he concluded in a prissy tone, "most disconcerting."
The description was familiar. Many times Arilyn had experienced that very feeling, although, she realized, not since they had left the House of Good Spirits the night before. She nodded slowly.
"I take it that you recognize my description of this particular shadow?" Arilyn nodded again. "Oh good," Danilo said wryly.
"Now we're getting somewhere. Let me assure you, I have no intention of dealing with this on my own. The way I see it, if I follow you around for a while longer, perhaps this shadow will return to its original owner, and I can be on my way, unencumbered. Fair enough?"
"I suppose," she said grudgingly. "Come on. Just keep quiet, if that's possible."
"Lead on."
Arilyn walked through the open door of the tavern and into a solid wall of muscle. She fell back a step