Masquerades - Kate Novak [159]
The room went silent as each Night Mask worried what that price might be, and each considered what price would be too high.
"I demand your fealty," the Faceless announced in a sepulchral tone, "not as a crime lord, but as your king! I will make Westgate the greatest empire in the Realms, and you shall all share in the riches of that empire! If you share in my vision, if you accept my terms, kneel now before me."
Like faithful worshipers, the Night Masks below the dais knelt as a body. The Night Masters on the steps did not seem certain whether or not they too were required to join in this physical display, but when Kimbel knelt, the others followed. If any one of them held a republican sentiment or inwardly questioned the wisdom of agreeing to so empower an anonymous crime lord, they did not share it with their fellows.
"All hail the Faceless," Kimbel cried, "King of Westgate!"
"The Faceless,"'the crowd shouted, "King of Westgate!"
The Faceless, surprised but very pleased by Kimbel's call for the crowd's allegiance, held up his arms and basked in the adulation of the thieves of Westgate. Unfortunately, his moment of glory was followed immediately by an uncomfortable silence as hundreds of Night Masks grew anxious for their reward and wondered if it was too soon to get off their knees.
"All hail the Faceless," a shrill but clear voice called out from the back of the dais. "Master of an honorless, greedy mob. Traitor to his duty and family. Murderer of his father and his lover." The speaker leaped up on the feasting table behind the Faceless so that all could see the red-haired halfling woman in leather armor-Winterhart. The sound of her sword slipping from its scabbard slithered through the length of the hall. She aimed the blade at the Faceless's neck.
"My gods," Olive gasped under her breath. "She's going to get herself killed.
"But if that isn't an entrance to die for," Jamal whispered, "I don't know what is."
The aura of puissance momentarily faded from the Faceless as he retreated from the point of the halfling's weapon and nearly took a tumble down the dais steps.
"Maybe we could grab her and escape down the stairs," Olive whispered. She began to pull back the tapestry, but Jamal set a heavy hand on her shoulder and held her back.
"Wait," the actress whispered. "Heroes never truly die," she added with a delighted grin on her face.
She's as crazed as Winterhart, Olive thought.
The Night Masks held their breath, waiting to see what their master would do.
From behind his mask the Faceless glared with fury at the insolent halfling facing him. It would not look particularly valiant for him to skewer the vermin, but none of his Night Masters showed the least inclination to grab the creature and throw it at his feet. All were no doubt afraid of losing a hand to the steel weapon still pointed in their master's direction. Even more aggravating were the charges the halfling brought. How had she discovered his secrets?
He would have to make a joke of her. It was not the dignified beginning he imagined for his reign, but he had to keep her from making further accusations. "Did you intend to challenge me all by yourself?" the Faceless asked with a tone of amused derision.
Miss Winterhart smiled. "Well, to tell the truth, I did bring a few friends."
Olive's heart leaped to her throat. Surely this crazy halfling didn't expect the three of them to fight a horde of Night Masks! Did she expect Olive and Jamal to step out from behind the tapestry and make another dramatic speech?
Apparently Winterhart had not been counting just Olive and Jamal among her few friends. The halfling swordswoman gestured to the back of the hall just as platoons of the city watch marched toward the back ranks of Night Masks. The soldiers all wore leather armor and copper helmets and were armed with swords and crossbows. The room rang with the echoes of their boots stomping on the stone-paved floor.
Durgar the Just stood at the