Murder in Cormyr - Chet Williamson [85]
Jenkus and Stubbins were never a more welcome sight, and we mounted and headed back to the cottage. The rain was falling more heavily now. "It seems that the drought will shortly be over," Benelaius said.
"If this continues."
My master looked up at the sky, sniffed the air, then nodded. "It will." I didn't ask him how he knew, but I wanted to learn. He had not yet taught me the secrets of the weather.
"You know, it's a shame," I said, "that no one will ever know the truth. You really should record the events for posterity."
"I leave that to you, Jasper. Your vocabulary is certainly up to the task, and your recording skills are as fine as most scribes. Write it down if you will, but it must be a tale that cannot be told for many years."
"Does Lindavar know the entire truth?"
"Unfortunately, no. I had to keep it secret from both of you so that your… performances would be believable. Besides, Lindavar's success will not only improve the way his fellow War Wizards look upon him, but will also bolster his image of himself."
"It's too bad that he takes all the credit when you really solved the mystery," I said, and chuckled. "Instead of the 'consulting cogitator,' you could become famed as the 'cogitating conjurer!'"
"Please…" Benelaius moaned, then added lightly, "I no longer need such recognition. Besides, the nature of men being what it is, I am sure that there will be many more crimes to investigate in the future, even in a sleepy little town such as Ghars."
By the time we arrived home, the rain was falling heavily. I stabled the horses, then went inside to find Benelaius unaccustomedly piling up logs in a haphazard manner in the fireplace as the cats watched curiously. "Thought a nice fire would banish the dampness," he said, putting a large log on top so that the pyramid toppled over, scattering the cats in every direction.
I laughed and said, "Well, if you'll just wait until I get our muddy clothes soaking in some water, I'll build a fire, master."
He straightened up and gave me one of his serious looks. "First of all, you don't have to wash the clothes; secondly, you don't have to build the fire-I should be learning how to do these things for myself; and thirdly, you need not call me 'master.'"
Then I remembered what, in the exciting rush of the last several days, I had forgotten. "My indentured service to you," I said. "It's over today."
"It is," said Benelaius briskly. "And although I shall be sorry to see you go, I know that you have been looking forward to your economic and social freedom. You may feel free to spend the night here, of course, or longer, and leave whenever it suits you."
I didn't know what to say. The joy I had expected to feel on this day had been replaced by another kind of joy, that of having helped to accomplish a great task, of having been the legs and eyes and ears of a great man, one who had taught me much, who had made me into a different person, and who could teach me still more.
Lindavar had asked me to look after Benelaius, had said that he needed someone like me. And I thought that maybe I needed him as well.
For a while longer, at least. It had proven to be quite an exciting week, and for all I knew there could be more excitement to come. If not, at least I would continue with a splendid education from one of the greatest men of the age. All in all, not a bad deal.
"Master… uh, Benelaius… did you say you were sorry to see me go?"
"I did. You are bright, alert, and you cook far better than 1.1 particularly relish your sausages…"
"Would you be willing then to let me remain in your employ without an indenture? As a salaried employee?"
Benelaius tried to look slightly surprised, but I saw that he was feigning. "I do pay you a salary, Jasper. A silver falcon a month."
"And if you wish me to remain… Benelaius, you shall pay me twenty silver falcons a month."
The startled expression on his face was sincere. "Oh, now I hardly think that-"
"Farewell, then."
"What about five?"
"What about twenty?"
"Oh, come, Jasper, we