Masquerades - Kate Novak [57]
"So why is he called the Faceless?" Alias asked.
"According to the branded Night Master, the first Faceless had a face like a lump of clay. The Night Master thought the first Faceless might have been a doppel-ganger. The new Faceless's face is a blur of colors. The Temple to Leira, goddess of illusion, once possessed a magical helmet that caused exactly such an effect. The helmet was of mesh chain covered in platinum coins struck with the goddess's glyph. Shortly after the Time of Troubles Leira's temple was looted and burned and the magic helmet went missing."
Dragonbait asked, "Will it really hurt the Night Masks if Alias captures the Faceless, or will it only make room for some Night Master to take the place of their lord?"
Alias translated the paladin's question for Jamal.
Jamal was silent for several moments as if considering her answer very carefully. Mintassan drummed his fingers on the tabletop in the silent pause. Finally the actress replied, "I think if you can seize the Faceless's treasury, you'll have dealt them a mortal blow. According to the branded Night Master, the treasury contains an artifact discovered by the first Faceless. It protects his identity and that of all the Night Masters. With it, Durgar could detect them or any who tried to take their place. My sources estimate there are at least two thousand Night Masks, but without the Faceless and the Night Masters they won't be anywhere near as organized. Also in the treasury are magical items the Night Masks have used to rescue or kill members who know too much and who've been caught by Durgar's watch."
Alias sipped her tea thoughtfully.
"If I might make a suggestion," Jamal said.
"Murf?" Dragonbait prompted the actress.
"House Thalavar brought in a wine shipment yesterday," Jamal explained. "One hundred twenty barrels of fire wine from the Old Empires-dark, strong, spicy, and worth more with every mile it moves west. If the wine makes it to the tables of Waterdeep, it means a major profit for the Thalavars. If not, they stand to lose a great deal. It's sitting in the Thalavar warehouse until it can be loaded on caravan wagons tomorrow morning. Odds are good that the Night Masks will try to steal it or destroy it. Instead of roaming the streets looking for trouble tonight, why not see if you can get trouble to come to you. Stand guard in the warehouse. My guess is you'll round up at least a dozen Night Masks, and if it rains, you'll stay nice and dry."
Alias tilted her head suspiciously. "You know, I smell a halfling behind this plan. Probably the same one who took your copper pieces for her story about yesterday's incident on the docks. I don't suppose it came from an
annoying redhead named Olive Ruskettle."
"Oooh, I can feel my ears burning all the way out in the street," a new voice declared from the doorway. Alias didn't need to turn around to know that Olive Ruskettle had entered Mintassan's shop. The halfling joined them at the table, climbed into a chair, snitched a sugar cube from the tea tray, and popped it in her mouth.
"Olive tells me you're well acquainted," Jamal said.
"Oh, yes," Alias replied. "I hadn't realized until now that you knew her, too."
"We're both in the entertainment business," Olive explained.
"So, you're expecting me to do your guard duty for you?" Alias asked the halfling.
"No. Thalavar halflings can do their own guard duty," Olive retorted sharply. "As a matter of fact, Lady Nettel is secretly going to put all her available guards on this consignment at the risk of leaving her other properties undefended. We're not worried about defending the wine, but capturing Night Masks is a little harder work. Since you're so