Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [14]
The young mage's jaw tightened, and he ran a hand through his thick blond hair. "While in Tethyr, I memorized the spells in the book you lent me, as well as several more from a tome of southern magic I purchased there. Beyond my Harper duties, I have acquired over twenty new spells and researched several of my own. Just because I study in secret does not mean I lack purpose," he concluded in a terse, quiet voice, "likewise, although I play the fool, I am not so easily distracted as you seem to think. I left my partner alone and in danger, and I demand to know where she is and how she fares."
"Fair enough," Khelben conceded, a touch of apology in his voice. "Arilyn is safe, and on her way to her new task."
"Where is she? And why must she go alone?"
"The task requires someone who can pass as an elf. Where she's going, you would be too conspicuous. I can tell you no more."
Danilo received this news in silence. Although he was relieved to learn that Arilyn was safe, he feared that this mysterious assignment would take her far beyond his reach. Always more elven than human, Arilyn would be less likely to consider a human lover when she returned from her time among the elves.
"And I'm human," Danilo concluded aloud.
"Don't flatter yourself," his uncle said tartly. "Fortunately the dragon in question doesn't know you as I do."
Suddenly Khelben had Danilo's full attention. "Dragon, you say?"
Again the archmage paused, and he studied the wall opposite him. "You were trained in music, if I'm not mistaken. Well trained."
"Many years ago," Dan said absently, puzzled by the abrupt turn the discussion had taken. "Why?"
"The Harpers require the services of a bard. At present, not one seems to be available."
"I don't like where this is leading. I'm supposed to pass myself off as a bard, is that it? On the strength of what?"
Khelben nodded to the elven singer. "That, for example."
Danilo marshaled his befuddled senses and focused on the ballad. It had a lovely, vaguely familiar melody. He knew just enough Elvish to make out something about
Khelben's lady, the mage Laeral, and the healing power of love.
"That's very nice. Whose is it?"
The archmage looked at him keenly. "You're sure you don't recognize it?" When Danilo shook his head, Khelben gave a grim smile. "Well, that settles that question. The ballad is yours. Very popular tune these days, I'm sorry to say."
"But-"
"Yes, I know. You didn't write it that way. There's a great deal of that going around."
Danilo listened to the singer for a few moments. "By Oghma, I'm not bad!"
Khelben's face darkened at the young man's flippant oath to the patron of letters. "This is serious, boy! Your songs are not the only ones that have been changed."
The Harper put a solicitous hand on Khelben's arm. "You may not have noticed this, Uncle, but there's usually ample room for improvement. Whatever do you wish me to do: change them back?"
"Precisely." the archmage said, tossing some coins onto the table and rising to his feet. "You start tomorrow at sunrise, and there's much to do. You'll need travel supplies, an instrument or two-whatis it you play, zither?"
"Lute." Danilo replied absently. He had litde choice but to follow his uncle out of the tavern. It finally occurred to him what Yaereene had asked him to do; it was common practice for a bard to play at any tavern or inn he visited. On the way out Danilo bowed to the proprietress, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness as he indicated the glowering archmage. Yaereene forgave him with a gracious nod, and Danilo hurried to match Khelben's long stride.
The first order of business is meeting your partner," Khelben paused and raised one salt-and-pepper brow, "and your apprentice."
"I have an apprentice?" he said in a dazed tone.
"So she thinks, and I see no merit in convincing her otherwise. You would do well to have a skilled fighter at your side. Whatever her limitations as a bard might be, her credentials as a warrior are most impressive."
Danilo thrust his fingers into his hair and rubbed