Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [79]
"Insults from such as you mean nothing."
The elf's handsome face twisted with rage. "We are not so very different," he hissed. He quickly regained his composure, but his amber eyes held a malicious gleam. "You've fallen as far as I have, but you just can't bring yourself to admit it. Look at yourself. You've been exiled, to all intents and purposes, to wandering the far and forgotten edges of the world. Now you're reduced to lurking in shadows, trying to disprove your nasty suspicions about Amnestria's daughter."
Bran's face darkened at the elf's last words. "You do not deserve to speak her name."
"Don't I?" taunted the elf. "Princess Amnestria and I were friends from our childhood in Evermeet, long before you were even a gleam in your father's eye." He sighed with deep nostalgia. "Such grace, such talent and potential. Arilyn is very like her in those respects. She's got Amnestria's spirit combined with a rather devious mind. Truly a fascinating combination. Amnestria would have been proud of her daughter, as I'm sure you are," he concluded with heavy sarcasm.
"What is your interest in Arilyn?" Bran demanded.
A reflective expression crossed the elf's face. "It is rare-even during the long lifetime of an elf-that one is afforded a second chance. By all that is just, Arilyn should have been my daughter." He paused and gave Bran a measuring look. "Not yours."
The Harper recoiled at the words. Elaith was pleased with the reaction, and an evil smile curved his lips.
"Yes, your daughter," the elf mocked, openly baiting him toward admission. "Interesting, fate's little twists: the oh-so-righteous Harper sires one of the best assassins in Faerun."
"Arilyn is not the assassin," Bran asserted.
"But she is your daughter!" Elaith crowed triumphantly, reading the truth in Bran's face and tone. In his opinion, the only good thing about dealing with Harpers was that the fools were generally too noble-or too stupid-to dissemble. The elf's face darkened suddenly. "Does Arilyn know about you? I should hate to have her learn her father's identity when he provides evidence against her in a Harper court."
"It is not your concern."
"We'll see. How is Amnestria?" Elaith asked, changing the subject. "Where has she been these many years?"
Bran was silent, and a look of deep sadness filled his eyes. "Despite everything, you are her far kinsman, and there is no reason why you should not know. Amnestria went into secret exile before Arilyn's birth. She took the name Z'beryl of Evereska. She has been dead for almost twenty-five years."
"No."
"It is true. She was ambushed and overcome by a pair of cutpurses."
The elf stared at Bran. "It does not seem possible," he murmured, dropping his stricken eyes. "No one could fight like Amnestria. Has nothing has been done to avenge her death?"
"The murderers were brought to justice."
"That remains to be seen," Elaith said in a grim tone. When he again raised his eyes to Bran's, hatred blazed in their amber depths. "Another weapon might have killed Amnestria, but it was you who destroyed her. Keep away from Arilyn. The etriel has her own life."
Elaith leaned toward the Harper, looking the very picture of a fighter taking an offensive stance. His evil smile openly taunted his foe. "By the way, know you that Arilyn has taken the name Moonblade as her own? Denied family and rank, she made her own name and forged her own code. And she is good. Arilyn has developed skills that would make her Harper sire squirm."
Elaith paused. "To answer your earlier question, my interest in her is both personal and professional."
"I've no use for riddles."
"Nor wit for them, either. In plain words, Arilyn should have been my daughter, but she is not. What a remarkable partner she would make, or-" he smiled maliciously "-what a consort. She and I could accomplish much, side by side."
Bran's massive hand shot out, grabbing Elaith's shirtfront and jerking the slender