Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [106]
*****
When Danilo and Morgalla arrived at the Broken Lance, Wyn Ashgrove was waiting for them, looking strangely out of place amid the athletes and fighters who frequented the tavern. The elf waved them over to his table. "Khelben Arunsun could not come. He sends his regrets. Do you have any news?"
"Less than I'd like," Danilo replied, taking a seat at the large circular table. The Harper ordered wine and sipped at it absently while Wyn told them about the recent events in Waterdeep. The rumored disappearances of the Lords of Waterdeep concerned the Harper deeply, not only for the city, but because his uncle and mentor was among that group. Not that Khelben had ever admitted to these disappearances, but Danilo had no doubt that the rumors at least in this instance were accurate. Wyn's news also cast a sinister light on the prophecy in the spell scroll: the lord to fall on the field of triumph would most likely be one of the Lords of Waterdeep.
"Ready to order?" The serving woman, a former city champion in both jousting and swordplay, gave the question an inflection that suggested the talkative party would be advised to either order immediately, vacate the tavern, or draw weapons.
"Another round of drinks," Danilo suggested, "some bread and cheese for the table, a bowl of bitter greens with summer herbs, and three servings of the eel pie. You must try it; it's a house specialty," he informed Morgalla and Wyn.
"Bring four servings," corrected Elaith Craulnober, coming to the table with a silent grace that startled everyone there.
"You!" Danilo leaped to his feet. "I don't believe you actually showed up! You've got more nerve than a drunken ogre."
The moon elf rocked back on his heels, surprised by the Harper's vehemence. "Have I missed something? We did agree to meet here at highsun."
"That was before you stole the spell scroll."
"Wait a minute," Elaith demanded, taking a step toward the angry Harper. "The spell scroll is gone?"
"What? Is there an echo in here?"
Elaith let out a long hiss of exasperation and sank into a chair. "Vartain!" he said with disgust.
"Vartain?" echoed Morgalla and Wyn, in unison and disbelief.
"You heard me. He's a better thief than a riddlemaster, although he doesn't like to advertise the fact. By the way, Lord Thann, it was he who separated you from your magic ring."
"He isgood," Danilo muttered as he resumed his seat.
The servant came back with their meal. "Anything to drink?" she asked the moon elf.
"A large bottle of your best gold firewine."
Danilo's eyebrows rose. The wine was both potent and expensive. "Are we celebrating or drowning our sorrows?" he asked.
"Do whatever pleases you," the rogue elf responded, leaning back in his chair. "The firewine is for me."
"Ah." The Harper nodded sagely.
"Who's paying?" the server demanded bluntly.
Before Danilo could reach for his purse, Wyn produced a large gold coin and held it out to the impatient woman. "This should more than cover the cost of the meal and the wine," he said.
Elaith's amber eyes narrowed, and he snatched the coin from the gold elf's hand. After a moment's scrutiny, he demanded, "Where did you get this?"
"It was given in tribute for an impromptu performance," Wyn replied, looking both surprised and defensive. "Many of the People make their living with music, and there is no shame in my accepting payment. The gold was rightly earned."
"Only if you've taken up work as a thief or assassin," Elaith retorted.
"Look, I don't care how you make the money. Just pass some of it over," the server demanded.
Danilo handed the woman several silver pieces and waved her on her way. The rogue elf's words, combined with the size of the coin, reminded him of the coin Arilyn had given him in Tethyr. "How do you know all this?" he asked Elaith. "Seriously," he added, before the rogue elf could put him off by stating the obvious.