Elfsong - Elaine Cunningham [68]
Elaith was silent for a long moment. He studied Danilo with a measuring gaze. "You are truly a Harper? This is not some ridiculous game of the sort you Waterdhavian nobles like to play?"
"A game?If I start having fun on this quest," Danilo assured the elf gravely, "I'll certainly let you know."
"And your pretensions to bardcraft? They are genuine as well?"
The nobleman sighed. "You've got me there. It's hard to say yes or no. I've trained, certainly, but not in the traditional or even conventional ways. I haven't attended the barding schools, obviously-they closed before my time- nor apprenticed to a bard of note. But my mother, the Lady Cassandra, is a gifted musician, and she insisted on the best teachers. They were all private, of course. I was much given to mischief as a lad, and several of Waterdeep's finest schools repented of their decision to accept me as a scholar. In despair, Lady Cassandra took it upon herself to hire an army of tutors, including bards trained in the styles of each of the seven elder barding colleges. None of them stayed long, but I managed to learn a bit here and there."
Danilo smiled engagingly. "And now that you know my life story, perhaps you'll tell me more about this elven artifact you seek. I'd love to hear that tale."
"After your life story? Hardly! It is said that there are some acts one should never attempt to follow. Dogs, children, jesters, and the like." The moon elf's amber eyes revealed nothing but a touch of mocking amusement.
"Not going to admit to anything, eh? Well, I can understand that. You've got to preserve the elven mystique, and so forth. What puzzles me, though," the young man added thoughtfully, "is what place your moonblade has in all of this."
Elaith's pleasant expression evaporated. "That is not your concern."
"It is if we're going to be partners."
"Wearepartners. I require the services of a mage and a bard. You are not altogether without credentials." Elaith's lips thinned in a smile. "As a bard, you are no immediate threat to Storm Silverhand. You are, however, the best we can come up with under the circumstances."
"The story of my life," Danilo murmured.
"You've shown yourself capable of wielding a considerable amount of magic. A dragon has a powerful resistance to charm spells, yet you held him."
"So?"
The scroll is a riddle of sorts. Vartain can no doubt decipher it, but I have reason to believe that a knowledge of both magic and music might prove helpful to my search. I will spell out the terms of our partnership so that there is no further misunderstanding. We will combine our resources and talents until the scroll is deciphered and the spellcaster found. You may have whatever is necessary to undo the spell upon the bards, but I will take possession of the artifact. When that is accomplished, we part ways. This seems more than reasonable."
It didn't, but Danilo considered his options. He could see no other way to achieve his purpose, yet agreeing meant putting a powerful artifact in the evil elf's hands. He had no idea what Elaith would do with it except perhaps…
The moonblade. Somehow, the elf had learned of a way to restore the dormant magic of his elven sword! That had to be the answer, Danilo could see no other connection. This prospect was daunting, for he knew that each moonblade had unique and formidable powers. If this was indeed Elaith's motive, one mystery remained: why would the elf go to such trouble to restore a sword he could never wield? He was the last of his line, and the sword would simply return to dormancy in his hand. What did the elf possibly have to gain? Of one thing Danilo was quite certain: Elaith had far too much power already without the added threat of either a restored moonblade or this mysterious elven artifact.
"Unfortunately, I have a previous commitment. The archmage of Waterdeep is expecting me, and he's not one to be put off. So if you'll excuse me?"
"No. We have an agreement"