Elminster Must Die_ The Sage of Shadowdale - Ed Greenwood [164]
He hefted a small cloth bag. “These gems can be yours, if you make the trip—or you can refuse and take this instead. Every finger of its bright and very sharp length.” He hefted the point of his drawn sword meaningfully, smile never wavering.
Ruthgul swallowed then brightly observed that he’d just remembered he did have to leave the city on urgent business, with his wagon.
He leaned closer and added in a low growl, “But I fear for my life—or the custody of my wagon—the moment we’re out of sight of the walls. What’s to stop you just killing me?”
“This,” Amarune told him, handing him the daintiest hand crossbow he’d ever seen, and three darts. “Ready it, aim it at one of us, and we can hopefully trust each other. So long as it doesn’t go off by accident. That would be bad, see?”
Arclath and Amarune stood in the dappled sunlight of deep, mossy greenery and dark and massive leaning trees on the edge of the King’s Forest with a weary Storm between them, her arms about their shoulders, watching Ruthgul’s wagon rumble away.
“As promised,” Storm murmured to Amarune. “Welcome back.”
Amarune nodded a little shakily. “That was … it’s going to take a lot of getting used to. When will—?”
“El be in your mind again? Only when it’s needful.”
“I should be on that wagon,” Arclath growled. “The council …”
“Will unfold just fine without you. Mirt will speak for House Delcastle, and Raereene is watchful, with the Princess Alusair to spy for her.”
Arclath sighed. “I very much want to know what the two of you are doing in Cormyr at all.”
Storm nodded. “Trying to accomplish three things: One, save Cormyr from its present troubles—Stormserpent’s treason, but also those behind him—plus other villainy that’s gathering around this council and awaiting a good time to strike.”
She looked meaningfully at Amarune. “Two, find a successor to take over the task of saving Cormyr and the rest of the Realms.”
Amarune went pale. “I … I’m not sure I’m ready … or worthy.”
“Good,” Storm said with a sudden smile. “That reassures me greatly; you’ll do fine. Three, gather up all magic items we can, to use them to do a good and necessary thing.”
“Which is—?”
“Later, Arclath. I need a few answers, first. Where does Arclath Delcastle stand? What is Amarune to you, really? And whom do you serve first: yourself, the Delcastles, the Crown of Cormyr, or—?”
Arclath stared at Storm Silverhand for a moment then said slowly, “I regard Amarune as a friend. One I am honored to have, not a playpretty or someone to, ah, exploit. My lady, if she’ll have me. And yes, after standing for her, I stand for Cormyr.”
Storm smiled again. “And Rune, what matters most to you, right now?”
Amarune blushed, looked down, and told the toes of her boots, “Arclath’s regard. After that, the loss of the life I had. If the war wizards know I’m the Silent Shadow …”
“And becoming mistress to a lord whose name may or may not be Delcastle seems less than attractive?”
“Lady Storm,” Arclath said sharply, “those words try both my honor and that of this lady!”
“No doubt,” Storm replied calmly. “Yet being as you leap to her defense, Lord Delcastle, I ask you: if the authorities know her past, what will Amarune do?”
A noble hand waved dismissively. “In half a day I could see her well placed in service to a dozen noble families, if she wishes.”
Amarune’s face told all the King’s Forest around them how little this suggestion pleased her, and Arclath added hastily, “Or I have influence enough—with some very highly placed persons—to get her into the palace.”
Amarune gave him a sidelong glance. “Oh? War wizards and palace guards like to watch barepelt lasses dance?”
Arclath nodded then reddened. “Yes, and … ah, other things.”
Amarune’s stare sharpened. “So what is a woman who does those ‘other things’ around the palace called? Bedwarmer? Bedmaid? Or something lower and ruder?”
Arclath winced, then said carefully, “Lady, I did not mean to give offense. I—oh, gods blast, I’m less than good at this …”
“Oh, I’d not say that,” Amarune replied calmly. “So, would you expect to be