Elfshadow - Elaine Cunningham [99]
For several moments the only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the cry of a hunting owl. "Perhaps you're right," Danilo conceded. "I know little of an adventurer's life. I am, however, somewhat of an authority on women."
His comment surprised an exasperated hiss from Arilyn. "I don't doubt it. Your expertise means little to me. I am not a woman, but an elf."
"A half-elven woman. That's close enough."
"Really. Do you care to share any of your profound insights?" Her sarcasm was as sharp as a dagger's edge.
"If you'd like," Danilo said casually, and he pointed to the moonblade. "Take that sword, for example. You're a little afraid of it, aren't you?"
Arilyn drew herself up, as outraged as Danilo had intended her to be. "Of course not! Why would you say such a thing?"
"I've been thinking about some of the things Elaith Craulnobur said. It seems unusual that you know so little about your sword. By all accounts, it should be capable of a great deal of magic, and you barely tap the keg."
"Trust you to use an expression involving ale," Arilyn said with derision.
"Don't change the subject, my dear. Magic-including magic fire-is a fact of life, a reliable and powerful tool."
"Reliable? Ha!" Arilyn's face was tight with fury. "If you'd seen your friends die by fire during the Time of Troubles, you'd change your thinking."
"Waterdeep did not go unscathed during that unfortunate period," Danilo reminded her mildly. "From all accounts, it was quite nasty. Waterdeep suffered street battles with denizens of the underworld, the destruction of a god or two, and the resultant flattening of a good chunk of the city."
"From all accounts?" she repeated. "Where were you when all this happened?"
His eyebrows rose in surprise. "In the basement of the family estate, drinking." She glared at him, and he added defensively, "It seemed the only sane thing to do at the time."
Arilyn sniffed and fell silent. After several moments, she glanced at her annoying companion. He lounged indolently by the fire, watching her. His face was sympathetic, but in the firelight his gray eyes looked uncommonly shrewd.
"Since you don't agree with my observations, allow me to prove that my instincts are correct."
"Go ahead," she said.
"Remove the spit and walk through the fire."
The half-elf gasped. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
"No," he said thoughtfully. "I don't think so. I'm quite certain you can do it without injury or I wouldn't suggest it. I'm so certain, in fact, that I'm prepared to make you an offer. You've been trying to rid yourself of me for some time now, haven't you?"
"How perceptive."
Danilo held up his hands. "If I'm wrong about this, I'll leave. Tonight."
Arilyn stared at him. He looked serious. Nodding, she abruptly rose to her feet. Scorched boots would be a small price to pay to rid herself of Danilo Thann.
She removed the spit and handed their sizzling meal to the nobleman, then stepped directly into the middle of the campfire and out the other side. The burning sticks crunched under her boot, sending sparks flying around her. A few bits of burning wood and ash landed on the sleeve of her shirt. Arilyn quickly moved to brush them off, but other sparks clung to the legs of her trousers like tiny glowing lanterns. She noted that the fabric did not even blacken.
The half-elf dropped to her knees beside the campfire. She thrust her hand into the flames and kept it there. There was a sensation of heat, but no pain. She sat back on her heels and glared at Danilo. "You enspelled the fire."
In response, the dandy reached into his magic sack and pulled out a pair of gloves.