and privilege. In truth, Danilo cultivated that image. Prominently displayed on the amethyst silk of his jacket was the crest of a noble merchant family of the Northlands. His billowing trousers were tucked into impractical suede boots, and the voluminous sleeves of his silk shirt were embroidered with tiny runes in gold and violet threads. The nobleman's garments were loose and flowing, cut to mask his lean, powerful build, just as the sparkle of jewels on his sword's hilt distracted the eye from its keen and well-used edge. Danilo's facade made him an effective Harper agent, but it annoyed the Nine Hells out of Arilyn. “It's getting late,” she said abruptly. “Let's find a quiet place to plan our next move. Some food wouldn't hurt, either.” The nobleman's face lit up at the suggestion. “I know the very spot. Local color, and all that.” He took Arilyn's arm and led her down a maze of alleys to a low wooden building that possessed all the charm of an abandoned warehouse. “Local color, just as promised,” Danilo said with enthusiasm as he swung open the door. He removed his plumed hat and tucked it under one arm, then patted his blond hair carefully into place as he beamed down at her. “Isn't this splendid?” “This” was a tavern of sorts, a vast sprawling taproom that was anything but splendid. If the room were thoroughly swept and aired, it might qualify as squalid, Arilyn noted with distaste. The taproom was crowded with tables and booths, most of them filled. It was a local haunt, judging from the swarthy faces and the distinctive blue-purple robes of Tethyr's natives. The crowd comprised men of all ages and social classes. Only men, Arilyn noted, though a row of doors lining the north wall of the taproom suggested that women were not entirely absent from the establishment. Danilo ushered Arilyn into the room. The patrons nearest the door studied the new arrivals, their faces betraying a mixture of interest and hostility. At one table, however, three well-dressed locals eyed Arilyn with speculation and began to argue. “Ah, Lord Thann!” proclaimed a nasal voice. Arilyn turned to see a squat, dark-robed man waddling toward them, his pudgy hands outstretched in welcome. Danilo greeted the innkeeper by name, inquired after the health of his wives and children, and requested his customary table. The man ushered them to a corner table-which was already occupied-and dismissed the lesser patrons with a few curt words in the local dialect. Beaming widely, the innkeeper wiped the table with the sleeve of his robe, promised them a wine fit for Pasha Balik himself, and
hurried off. “Is there one tavern in the world where you're a stranger?” Arilyn asked with a touch of asperity. Danilo pursed his lips and considered the matter. Before he could speak, a blue-robed man approached their table. “I am the servant of Akim Nadir,” the man told Danilo, and he gestured toward one of the three men Arilyn had noted earlier. “My master wishes to purchase your woman.” Danilo placed a restraining hand on Arilyn's arm. “Let me handle this,” he said. Turning to the servant, he asked, “How much does your master offer?” “Twenty gold.“ ”Danilo, this is no time for foolishness-“ ”I quite agree,“ Danilo broke in. He reached across the table and patted her sword hand as if consoling her. ”You're worth several times that amount, I should say.“ ”Let go of my wrist and get rid of this man,“ she said through clenched teeth. ”And miss a chance to hone my bargaining skills?“ 'Twenty-five?” the servant suggested. Danilo shook his head, his face alight with mischief. “Eyes that shame the desert sky,” he noted in a wheedling tone. “Thirty gold. No more.” “Look at her,” Danilo persisted, deftly swiveling in his chair to move his shins beyond the reach of the half-elf's booted feet. “Have you even seen such skin? Moonlight upon pearls! A hundred gold would be a bargain.” “Perhaps fifty,” the servant allowed. “Has she any special talents?” “Well, she's rather good with that sword of hers,” Danilo said thoughtfully, “though I doubt that's what you had in mind.” “That's