Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [102]
Then doubt, an emotion almost unknown to the riddlemaster, edged into his mind. In many ways, he and this Garnet were much alike: she was a riddlemaster, a master of lore and language, a traveler and a teller of tales. Yet she was also a mage, and she wielded an artifact of great power. In addition, she had lived more than six of his lifetimes, and although he had learned and accomplished much, he could not be sure that it would be enough. If he kept the knowledge of her identity to himself, and met the bard Garnet on the field of intellectual combat, what was to say he would fare better against her than he had against the wily Grimnoshtadrano?
A notion entered Vartain's mind, an idea so unexpected and droll that he blinked in astonishment. He would overcome Garnetthe same way that the dragon had deceived him!If he and Garnet were as much alike as he suspected, she would also be hampered by an abundance of intellectual pride and a dearth of humor.
A chuckle escaped him, a rusty and experimental sound that drew stares from the shop's other patrons. Then, for the first time in his adult life, Vartain burst into unrestrained laughter.
By the glyphs of Deneir, it was worth a try! thought Vartain as he laughed, holding his sides against the unaccustomed twinge in his shaking ribs.
*****
Garnet rode up to Lady Thione's Sea Ward villa and threw the reins of her horse to a servant. Unannounced, she walked into the parlor where the noblewoman held conference with several merchants.
Lucia looked up at the interruption, imperious anger in her dark eyes. When she saw Garnet, however, her face instantly become a calm, expressionless mask. She rose and politely greeted the sorceress. She drew her out of the room, carefully closing the heavy oak door behind them.
"Get rid of them," demanded Garnet "We have much to discuss." She thrust a handful of papers at the noblewoman.
Lucia glanced at the top page and grimaced. She quickly leafed through the papers: all were identical. "Lord Hhune's work. He was acting on his own initiative, I assure you."
"Good." The sorceress nodded. "I would not want this traced back to you. On the other hand, I am glad he did this. This drawing of the archmage is another type of bard-craft, a new way of telling a story. It is fitting that such a weapon be brought against Khelben Arunsun. Hhune will most likely be found out, but he is expendable. Now, we must move on to other things.
"Midsummer Day will be a disaster," Garnet continued. "You have played your part well in the disruption of commerce. Other agents of the Knights of the Shield have ensured that the traditional tournament games will go badly. Above all this, there will be a violent storm of rain- and possibly hail-on Midsummer Day. These northern barbarians will take the storm as an evil omen."
"But the weather has been fine all week," Lucia said, a question in her voice.
"All the better! The wizard weather will be blamed on the archmage, and when Shieldmeet begins, the people will be ready to listen to your suggestion."
"Mysuggestion?" Lucia hedged.
"Oh, yes. Shieldmeet begins at sunset with a vast meeting open to all the citizens of Waterdeep. At this time the Lords of Waterdeep are reaffirmed by popular acclamation. When the meeting begins, you will reveal yourself as one of the Lords, argue that the city's woes are due to the ambitions of Khelben Arunsun, and demand that he resign from the Council of Lords." Lucia paled.
"You are well connected with the guilds, popular