Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [91]
Still absorbed in the study of the two lists, Danilo let out a low whistle. "By the gods, someone is going through a lot of trouble to set you up."
"And succeeding," Elaith added. To Arilyn, he said, "I have reason to believe that the Harpers suspect you and have set someone on your trail. If they get hold of this supposed connection to the Zhentarim, your guilt in their eyes would be sealed. Be careful."
"I will." Arilyn rose and extended her left palm to the moon elf. "Thank you for your help."
"At your service," he said, laving his palm briefly over hers. The half-elf walked to the back door, trailed by Danilo.
At the doorway, Arilyn turned back to Elaith. "One more thing: when we met in the House of Good Spirits, you mistook me for Z'beryl."
"That is so."
"Yet you called me by another name."
"Did I?" Elaith shrugged as if the matter was of no consequence and turned to Danilo. "Oh, by the way, I've made arrangements to have you killed. Just in case I'm unable to rescind my request, you may wish to take extra precautions."
Danilo's eyes bulged. "By the way?" he repeated in disbelief.
The elf seemed to enjoy the dandy's befuddlement. "I suggested the idea to an old acquaintance of mine, and he agreed to see to it."
"I don't suppose you'd care to name that old acquaintance?" Arilyn asked. The moon elf merely raised one eyebrow, and Arilyn shrugged. "Just tell me one thing. Is he a Harper?"
Elaith laughed. "Most definitely not."
The half-elf nodded and abandoned that line of inquiry. "By the way, why did you want Danilo killed?"
"By the way," Danilo echoed in a dazed voice. "There's that phrase again."
"I don't particularly like him," the elf told Arilyn casually, as if that were reason enough. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have a great deal of work to do before this evening."
Arilyn grabbed Danilo's arm and dragged him out of the Hidden Blade. Evening was nearing, and the late afternoon sun cast long shadows. The dandy looked about nervously. "You don't think the elf was serious, do you?" he asked when they were once again in the safety of the crowded street.
"Of course he was, but I'm sure we can handle whatever his 'old acquaintance' throws our way," Arilyn said evenly, setting as brisk a pace as the crowded street allowed. Danilo's distressed expression did not fade, so she added, "Why so glum? Hasn't anyone tried to kill you before now?"
Danilo sniffed. "Of course. I've just never been disliked before now. Well, what's next? Check into the moon elf's old acquaintance, I suppose?"
"No. An adventurer such as Elaith would not live long if he revealed the names of his associates," Arilyn pointed out. "It would do little good, anyway. The assassin is probably within the Harper ranks."
"You said that before," Danilo noted. "Why?"
Because Harpers and their allies work to maintain the Balance, Arilyn thought. Aloud she said, "Like I told you before, Harpers are a secret organization, yet the assassin knows the identity of his victims."
"The assassin also knows a lot about you, it would seem," Danilo said. "I don't understand why someone in the Harpers would do such a thing, or why he would go to such lengths to make you look like the Harper Assassin."
"Neither do I," said Arilyn.
"So what do we do now? Now that Elaith is no longer suspect, we've run out of places to look."
"Then we'll have to make sure the assassin gets back on our trail," Arilyn said. A slender, black-robed mage brushed past Danilo, and the half-elf's eyes lit up. "Tymora's luck might yet be with us," she said softly. "See that young man carrying the huge book? We're going to follow him."
"Why?" Danilo fell in beside Arilyn as she wove through the crowds.
"I'm going to let the assassin know where to find me."
"Oh. Why are you still wearing that disguise, then?"
"Elaith said that the Harpers suspect me. I've got to keep out of sight until I find the assassin