Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [78]
Arilyn nodded her thanks and dragged Danilo out the back door of the office into the alley.
"How did you like that last remark? 'Much in common,' indeed," Danilo echoed derisively the moment the door had swung shut behind them. "I don't know how much more proof you need."
"What are you babbling about?"
"Proof, that's what. 'Much in common'? Think: you're an assassin, he's an assassin. To my ears, that was as good as a confession," Danilo said. Arilyn threw up her hands in disgust. "I take it you don't agree."
The half-elf paused, carefully considering her words. "Whatever else Elaith Craulnobur may be, he is a moon elf quessir," she said. "You could not possibly understand what that means."
"Enlighten me," Danilo returned in a flippant tone.
"The term quessir means more than a male elf. It is a formal word, with overtones of a certain status and code of behavior. The nearest equivalent in Common is the word 'gentleman,' but that is not very close, either."
"I would hardly consider him a gentleman," Danilo observed.
"You've made that very clear," Arilyn said. "By the way, since when did you take up snuff?"
Danilo grinned. "Ah! You understood my message."
"It wasn't very subtle," she groused. "What makes you think that the thug in Evereska got the snuffbox from Elaith? He isn't the only elf in Waterdeep, you know."
"I don't trust him," Danilo said flatly, "and I don't like the fact that you do."
"Who said I trusted him?" Arilyn retorted. "Although perhaps I should. Moon elves traditionally have a strong sense of loyalty to each other."
Danilo opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. "On another matter, whyever did you say that the Harper Assassin might be a Harper?"
"Because it's very likely," Arilyn said shortly. "Harpers are a secret organization, and few advertise their membership in the group. The assassin knows his victims too well for it to be otherwise."
"Oh."
Arilyn started off down the alley, and Danilo took off after her. "Where are we going now?"
"We're going to find the elf who had Perendra's snuffbox."
* * * * *
In the tree-lined alley behind the busy tavern, a shadow stirred and prepared to follow Arilyn and Danilo.
"Come, come, old friend. What's your hurry?"
The melodious voice struck a chord, a memory of vile deeds that seemed incompatible with the gentle tone of the speaker. An icy chill stiffened Bran Skorlsun's spine, and for the first time in many years he turned to face the Serpent.
Elaith Craulnobur had changed little over the decades. He was an elven warrior in his prime, an elegant and beautiful living weapon. Slender and sinuous, he leaned gracefully against the alley's wooden fence. A smile of gentle amusement lit Elaith's handsome face, and his amber eyes were deceptively mild.
Bran knew the elf for what he was. "It's a cold morning for serpents to be about."
Elaith's brows arched lazily. "Hardly a gracious greeting, considering all the adventures we shared in your distant youth."
"We share nothing," Bran said flatly. "The Company of the Claw is no more. Many of its members were slain by your hand."
The elf shifted his shoulders, unmoved. "A commonly held assumption, but one that was never proven. I shall forgive your bad manners. Your years of wandering through parts unknown have obviously dimmed whatever small amount of polish you once possessed."
"Unlike you, I am what I appear to be."
The elf's gaze swept over the human. "That's hardly something to boast about," he observed wryly. "Even so, I must admit that I'm consumed with curiosity at your sudden appearance. Whatever could have brought you back to the City of Splendors?"
Elaith's tone was gently mocking, and his confident smile implied that the answer was already known to him. Bran had no patience or time for the elf's games, so he simply turned to leave.
"Going so soon? We've had no time to talk."
"I've nothing to say to you."
"Oh, but I've a few things to say that you may find of interest. And