Murder in Cormyr - Chet Williamson [60]
I decided that I would no longer trust my dreams, no matter how brilliant they might seem to a half-awake dullard like myself.
When I went downstairs to prepare breakfast, I got quite a surprise. There in the main room were Benelaius and Kendra, chatting and laughing like old friends. She was sitting up in the chaise, which she was sharing with a dozen contented cats, and my master was sitting next to her. They were both holding cups of tea, and so enthralled were they in their conversation that I had to clear my throat twice before they looked up.
"Ah, Jasper, good morning to you," said Benelaius. "I have to thank you for bringing such a delightful guest to our door last night. Kendra here has been to more places and seen more fascinating things than many a far older adventurer. She has added greatly to my store of information concerning the different species in areas of Faenin to which I have never fared." Beaming, he turned back to the woman. "My dear, you make me wish to see those things firsthand."
"Why not?" said Kendra. "You're never too old for a new journey. And new experiences."
"Ah, but I may be too set in my ways to travel far. I have put down roots like an old mushroom here."
"But mushrooms have notoriously shallow roots," she said, and the coquettishness in her manner amazed me. Was this the woman who had been threatening men with disem-bowelment for looking twice at her? Maybe, I thought, she saw in Benelaius a nonthreatening father figure and thus felt free to flirt with him. But Benelaius? Flirting?
"You tempt me," he said, "but I fear I may strike out for no new horizons until the current crisis in Ghars is resolved. And to that end, Jasper," he said, turning to me, "I must send you into town again, as soon as you prepare a delicious and hearty breakfast to strengthen our temporary invalid here."
I needed no further cue. In the kitchen I put together a hot and healthy repast, and by the time I had it on the table, Lindavar had joined the parry as well. Bags hung beneath his eyes, and I suspected that he and Benelaius had talked far into the night.
His appetite was good, however, and I never saw a woman eat as heartily as Kendra. Benelaius actually assisted her to the table, and although she favored her unwounded leg, my master assured her that only a small scar would be evidence of her battle with the hydra.
When the meal was finished, Benelaius handed me a long, thin leather courier's pouch and a small satchel. "Ride into Ghars," he said, "and deliver the letters in this pouch. The one addressed to Mayor Tobald and Captain Flim is the directive from Vangerdahast we received last night. Make sure they both read it, and leave it in Captain Flim's hands, since he is the one who will have to carry out the order… should the killer be taken. As far as making it general knowledge, tell them I advise against it, though I would be interested in seeing Barthelm Meadowbrock's reaction. Perhaps you can inform him privately.
"There is another envelope for Captain Flim alone, and there is also one for you, along with this satchel."
"Me?"
"Yes. Open and read the letter when you are ready to return here. At that time you will understand the need for what is in the satchel. Oh, and I almost forgot…" He reached into his robe and, smiling wryly, took out a bottle of small white pills. "Mayor Tobald's gout medication. Please give this to him in private. I don't want anyone to tell Doctor Braum that I'm treating his patient. Braum's a good man, though only a fair doctor, and I don't wish to offend him."
Benelaius and Lindavar came out to bid me farewell, while Kendra returned to the comfort of her chaise and the cats, who had taken quite a liking to her. As I turned Jenkus and prepared to ride away, Benelaius held up