Murder in Cormyr - Chet Williamson [58]
It looked like a raven, but its body was half again as wide, and its wings equivalently longer. Its eyes glimmered an eerie greenish yellow in the candlelight, and they looked directly at Benelaius. The feet were more menacing than those of any normal bird, with three-inch talons at the end of pale, fleshy claws that looked like dead men's fingers. Around this creature's neck was a bag of thick leather knotted shut.
With a motion that made my breath catch in my throat, the weird bird hopped into the room and perched right on Benelaius's shoulder. It was a tribute to my master's calm that he moved not an iota at the bird's act. Then he turned his head toward the beak that could have pierced an eyeball with a single thrust, and smiled at the gleaming eyes.
"A good evening to you, Myrcrest," Benelaius said. "I hope that Vangerdahast, your master and my good friend, is well this night?"
The bird nodded its head slowly, and a guttural squawk escaped its thick throat. The sound sent chills through me like fingernails on slate. Even Lindavar winced.
But Benelaius was unshaken by the din. He raised his eyebrows and looked pleased. "I am glad to hear it," he said. Then he gestured toward the leather pouch. "And may I assume that inside is a message for me?"
Myrcrest nodded again, slowly and solemnly, like one of those toy birds that dips its beak in water over and over again.
"Then, with your kind permission…" Benelaius lifted his hands and, with a series of deft, tiny strokes, undid the pouch from around the great bird's neck. I noticed in the light of the candles that Myrcrest's feathers had no sheen to them at all. They gave back no light but seemed rather to pull the light into them, and kill it. I have never seen so flat and lusterless a black. The thing must have noticed my attention, for it fixed its beady eyes on me. I could not hold its gaze, and quickly looked at Benelaius's hands.
He had freed the pouch and undid the string that held it shut. From it he withdrew a heavy paper, folded many times, but when he unfolded it, the creases vanished, and it was as smooth as though it had just come off a press.
Benelaius read it, his composed and serious face giving no hint as to the letter's matter. When he had finished, he nodded once more at the fiendish bird on his shoulder. "Pray tell Vangerdahast that his message has been received, and that its contents will be obeyed. Fortune smile on him, and bid you speedily home, good Myrcrest."
The bird nodded again, as graciously as a courtier. Then it spread wide its wings, and I ducked at the sudden movement, although the feathers were yards away from my face. It leapt to the window, and then through it, so that its blackness seemed sucked up by the night. Its exit was so abrupt that at first I could hardly believe it had been there at all.
But the paper that Benelaius held was the proof. My master looked at Lindavar and me and said, "This you should hear," and read:
Benelaius, my friend in wizardry-
Be it known by all men that Azoun, King of Cormyr, and I, Vangerdahast, 'Royal Magician and Chairman 'Emeritus of the College of 'War 'Wizards of Cormyr, do place in you our absolute trust (concerning the apprehension of the murderer of Grodoveth, the envoy of the King, and another victim.
When you have proven to your own satisfaction the identity of this kilter, whose act threatens the peace of this good and, Captain Flim, or whoever may at that time be commander of the local garrison of the king's purple Dragons, shall order his troops to immediately put the murderer to death.
Vangerdahast
"Well," said Benelaius, sitting back in his chair and taking a deep puff upon his pipe. "That seems rather final, does it not?"
27
"No arrest? No trial?" said Lindavar. "Why would the king order such a… a departure from the normal process of justice?"
"The king did not order it," said Benelaius. "Vangerdahast ordered it, and it is well within his power. It is altogether possible