Elminster's Daughter - Ed Greenwood [17]
She'd managed to snatch just one tart-with a leap that had drawn more than one appreciative eye, curse the luck-and it had been good, very good. There'd been lamb kidneys and a touch of venison in its rich gravy. The rich aftertaste rested warm and comfortingly in her mouth even now.
This couldn't be fabled Skullport, for none of these folk looked familiar, and their speech was subtly different. They seemed to be discussing rebellion against a king who was barely a king, or some such-could they really be so bold, or foolish? She had a bad feeling that a lot of royal warriors were going to charge out of doorways and arches she hadn't even found yet and slaughter everyone here-wandering thieves from Waterdeep included.
Like a wide-eyed fool, she'd stepped through some sort of magical door and right into an adventure that might slay her in short order. Gods spit, she had to find that old wizard!
He might have slipped away somewhere else, of course, and have nothing to do with all these drunkards. He might be rallying the force that would burst out to slay them all, even now. He might even be leading this conspiracy-though after the way he'd treated her, why hadn't he marched right into the center of the lamplight and enspelled everyone to quivering obedience?
Whatever that old man was up to, if Narnra Shalace was going to save Narnra Shalace's smooth but unlovely hide, she'd best scout where each cellar went and which archways led out into the open air. Twouldn't do to get trapped down here. By the smell, this place might well be below sea level, and some wall-shattering spell or sluice-gate could flood it at will. That would save the authorities even the chasing and shouting.
Many of the revelers seemed to be drifting away from the shoulder-jostling crowd under the lamps, now. On all sides, little groups of excitedly plotting folk were seeking this or that dark corner for privacy. Wary bodyguards were everywhere, and Narnra took care not to seem too interested in anyone as she threaded her way along through side-arches and around pillars, seeking ramps or steps leading up.
"That's the beauty of it, you see-"
She ducked away from that merchant and his chortling, reeling-drunk friends and on into the next room.
"Ah, my lord, at last;' a woman's voice growled, as its owner tore at the robes of a man who looked more bewildered than ardent-as three bodyguards stood in an impassive little ring around the amorous pair, facing outwards with arms folded. Narnra kept going.
Four fast-striding men were crossing the next cellar, one calling out from behind the others.
"Sorval? Is that Sorval Maethur?" The speaker sounded delighted, as he caught up to three merchants.
One turned. "Aye, I'm Sorval. And you might be-?"
"Delighted to bring you death! " was the snarled reply, as a dagger was plunged into a throat, a lamp was tossed into the face of one of the victim's companions, and the other fled with a terrified shout. Bubbling as he struggled to speak and spraying much blood from an opened throat, Sorval slumped to the ground. His slayer stepped back and strode unconcernedly away from the twitching corpse and the moaning man clawing at his burned eyes.
So did Narnra, steeling herself to look just as unconcerned-because any moment now, the killer was going to turn and look around for witnesses who might have to be slaughtered, too, and her life would depend on… yes!
Sorval's slayer cast her a dark glance. Narnra pointedly ignored him, murmuring aloud as if to herself, "How did that spell go, again?" as she kept steadily walking.
Dagger still dripping in his hand, the man hesitated briefly, glaring at her, but then decided ducking away was wiser than tackling someone unknown. A masked woman, his widening eyes told the Silken Shadow, at that.
Several groups of men were converging in a far room, lanterns glimmering in