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By Root 630 0

something draped around his neck on a leather thong. It hung down into his tunic, out of sight, but the garment's top buttons were undone. The bard reached for a lower note on the harp, moving forward slightly to pluck the strings, and an object fastened on the end of the leather thong swung into view. Jander saw the object for only an instant before it disappeared back into the folds of the singer's clothing, but that was long enough. It was a wooden disc, with no decorations marring its simple beauty, painted a rosy shade of pink. Jander knew the symbol well. That would explain the singer's clothes, too, hues of yellow and rose- A painful, ironic joy rose in Jander's heart. The bard was a priest of Lathander Morninglord, the god that Jander had once followed. He wished desperately that the young priest had chosen someplace, anyplace, else to pass the evening. His presence at the inn would definitely cause a problem. ”For once I managed to sneak up on you," came Rhynn's teasing voice. Jander whipped around, startled, as she slipped into the empty seat on his left.

Still clad in her black leather armor, sword at her side, she presented an odd picture as she laughed brightly at the gold elf's obvious surprise. “Rhynn! What are you doing here? You're guarding the gate tonight!” “Well, that's a wonderful way to greet a friend,” she snapped, genuinely hurt. “I thought you'd be-” “You can't stay here.” Rhynn crossed her arms over her chest. “Damned if I'll take orders from a civilian! This is a public house, and the only one who can order me out of here is Pogg. Besides, you owe me a drink, remember?” “Will ye be takin' him up on the offer, Lieutenant?” Aluise queried, ever ready to pick up on a cue. “Aye, Aluise, I'll have a glass of wine,” the Rider decided, then added archly, “It's so nice to linger over a good wine, don't you agree?” “Oh, aye. And what'll ye be drinkin', Master Jander?” “Nothing, thank you,” the gold elf replied. Aluise nodded and, armed with refilled mugs, turned to deliver them to their proper destinations. Rhynn frowned, and Jander's heart began to sink. Did she suspect? “That's right. You never do drink with me, do you? Something's going on,” she said slowly, her indigo eyes searching Jander's face. “You're sorry to say good-bye when I'm on patrol, but when Theorn relieves me of duty and I show up here, you don't want to see me. What's happening, Jander? I'm not a fool.” He had to get her out of here, and swiftly, too. “Rhynn, please, trust me when I say leave here right now.” “One last drink, and I'll be on my way,” Rhynn agreed. She smiled impishly. “I'll have it out of you by the time I'm done.” “ 'Scuse me,” came a small voice at her elbow. Rhynn glanced down to see Trevys peering up at her. The three glowing balls trailed languidly behind him in the air. “My Uncle Pogg said you was a Rider.” Rhynn nodded. “We found a white horse. Papa says it's a Rider's mount. Might you be able to take her to her owner?” “You must be mistaken,” Rhynn replied. “All the Riders would have been notified if one of ours had gone missing.” The boy looked distressed. “Please, miss. She's pure white, with a black leather saddle on, and-” “A black leather saddle? Take me to her,” said Khynn, rising at once. As she passed Jander, the gold elf hissed in her ear. “Please, just take the boy and go!” Rhynn spun around, an angry retort on her lips, but Jander was gone. Thoroughly baffled, she grasped Trevys's small hand firmly and wound her way through the press of people. She had almost reached the door when, abruptly, it banged open. Indigo yowled, his fur standing up, and dove for the shadows. Reacting instinctively, Rhynn pushed Trevys behind her and reached for the sword buckled on her hip. Trevys needed no further urging and fled like a young hare for the bar and Uncle Pogg. From behind, a hand closed on Rhynn's upper arm with a cold, steely grip.

“Stay quiet and pray they don't notice you.” She didn't need to see the man holding her to know it was Jander. He pulled her backward toward a shadowy corner of the taproom. A