Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [19]
"Indeed we shall," his nephew agreed. "But if I might speak frankly, Morgalla, why do you consider yourself my apprentice? I am no artist."
The dwarf shrugged. "Bards tell stories. I just come at the task from a different tunnel. You tell good tales, and I'm here to learn. And to fight, if it comes to that I'm looking to do plenty o' both." She grabbed her oaken staff and waggled it as if to emphasize the point. The jester doll's green and yellow motley cap flopped about. The effect did not exactly inspire fear.
Danilo drew a steadying breath. Despite her fighting credentials and her quirky charm, Morgalla seemed little more prepared for the task ahead than did the elven scholar waiting in the reception chamber. "Idon't suppose the Harpers would like to diverge from common practice just this once and hire a small regiment?" Danilo asked the archmage. "No, I thought not. Then I suppose we'd better bring a riddlemaster along. That might improve our chances considerably."
Khelben nodded thoughtfully. "Good thinking. You handle that and get your own mount. Wyn and I will see to the other horses and the supplies."
Morgalla hopped down from her perch. "I'm comin' with you, bard," she announced eagerly. "Too much magic in this place for my comfort."
Danilo raised one eyebrow. "Do you have any objection to music shops?"
The gleam in the dwarfs brown eyes faded. She climbed back onto the stool and gave Danilo a long, considering look. Tell you what bard; I'll draw yer likeness while yer gone." She took out a new piece of paper and immediately began to sketch.
"I've never had a portrait done," Danilo mused. The dark humor in Morgalla's art appealed to him, and since he'd developed a remarkable tolerance for mockery, he rather looked forward to seeing how she might depict him. "I'm sure I'll be delighted with it," he concluded with a smile.
"Maybe, but you'd be the first" Morgalla announced.
Khelben shrugged and led the way back to the front hall. "Do you have a riddlemaster in mind?" he asked the Harper.
"Vartain of Calimport" Danilo said firmly. "He's quite astounding. His services are as much in demand by adventuring parties as they are by those desiring an entertainer. He was in Waterdeep whenIleft the city several months ago. I'll check the register at Halambar's to see if he's available."
"Good thinking," Khelben conceded. Krьos Halambar, widely and secretly known as "Old Leatherlungs," was the head of Waterdeep's musicians' guild. Entertainers of all kinds registered at his shop, and employers in need of these services usually began their search there. If Vartain was available for hire, he would be listed, and if he were alreadyemployed, the name of his employer would be thereas well Eitherway, Danilo could seek the riddlemaster out.
The archmage walked out into thecourtyard with Danilo.After a moment's silence, heplaced a hand brieflyon the youngman's shoulder. "I know all this has come upon yousuddenly, and I realize what you have left behind I'm sorrythat I have to ask this of you."
Fora moment, the two men stood in silence. Although he wastouched by his uncle's concern, Danilo could not bear to acknowledge Khelben's oblique reference to Arilyn.He sidestepped his own raw pain by deliberately misreading the archmage. "As usual, your confidence sustains andinspires me," Danilo quipped.
That's not what I meant, and you know it!" Khelben snapped. "You can handle this assignment well enough. What you lack as a bard, you more than make up for as a mage." He withdrew a small, slender volume from a pocket of his coat. This book is for you. I've copied in it spells that will hold you in good stead, should the dragon prove less than cooperative."
Danilo took the book gratefully and slipped it into the magic bag at his belt. The spellbook disappeared without adding a lump or wrinkle. Promising to return before sunrise, Danilo slipped through the invisible door in the tower's outer wall and disappeared into the night.
*****
Like most of Waterdeep, the affluent district