By the way, have you any idea how close you came to skewering my horse?” Arilyn took the knife from the mage and studied the blades. Both were carved with the School of Stealth's mark, but the weapons differed subtly in weight and balance. She flipped the knives over. The one that had killed the tavern fighter was scored with dozens of small carvings, while Hasheth's was smooth and unblemished. If the unmarked knife told a true story, the young assassin had not killed before. The half-elf looked up at Danilo. “There are two assassins,” she said quietly. “Oh, marvelous,” the nobleman replied wryly. “I'm traveling with the most popular woman in Tethyr.” She ignored him and turned to Hasheth. “Where's your partner?” “I have none,” he said. “If you met another assassin this night, what of it? Assassins are common enough around taverns.” “But knives like this are not,” Arilyn persisted. “Someone from the School of Stealth wanted to keep me alive back at the tavern. Why?” 'That I cannot tell you, but I owe him a debt,“ Hasheth said bluntly. ”If you had died at the hands of that drunken oaf, I would have been cheated of my sand-hue sash.“ Arilyn and Danilo exchanged a puzzled look. ”You're talking nonsense,“ the half-elf observed derisively, hoping to draw more information from the boy. Hasheth's eyes flashed as he took Arilyn's bait. ”Ignorant barbarian! I don't know how northern assassins assess merit, but here each level of skill is marked by a different color sash. To advance, one must stalk and slay an assassin of the next level. His rank then becomes yours. You were my assignment, of course.“ Only Danilo saw the stricken look that flashed briefly into Arilyn's eyes. The half-elf had long ago earned the reputation of an assassin, a reputation that had proved as dangerous as it was undeserved. Arilyn had worked long and hard to rise above her dark past, only to be confronted with it time and time again. ”No offense, Hasheth,“ Danilo drawled, ”but did it ever occur to you that you might have skipped over a few levels here?“ 'That is absurd,” Hasheth said haughtily. “The school's masters would not dare mock me in that manner.” “They wouldn't dare, eh?” A reflective look crossed Arilyn's face. "Where do
you hail from, Hasheth?“ ”My home is in Zazesspur, if that is what you mean.“ ”But you have the look of a Calishite,“ she noted. ”Perhaps your mother was from Calimport?“ ”Is this a state dinner, that we make polite conversation?“ Hasheth asked sharply. ”I am your prisoner. Kill me if you will, but don't trouble me with your woman's chatter.“ ”Charming kid,“ Danilo murmured. ”Nice of him to suggest such an attractive option. Can we take him up on it?“ Arilyn shook her head. ”Hasheth will ride with us to Zazesspur.“ It was hard to miss the relief in the boy's black eyes. ”Sorry, Hasheth, but you'll have to find some other way to earn your sash.“ ”A wise man knows when the battle is lost,“ the boy agreed. Danilo regarded their captive warily, noting the sly twist to his lips and the smooth insincerity of his tone. His gaze shifted back to Arilyn. Her lovely face was inscrutable, but she was obviously up to something. Since Danilo had no idea what her plan might be, he had little choice but to play along. He did not have to be happy about it, though. ”Marvelous,“ he muttered, just loud enough for Arilyn's elven ears to pick up. ”We've adopted a pet adder.“ ”If you are determined to reach Zazesspur,“ Hasheth said to Arilyn, ”it would be wise to keep riding. The Forest of Tethir soon gives way to the Starspire Mountains. The road itself follows a pass between these mountains, a wasteland as hot and barren as any desert. In the heat of day your northern skin would peel like that of a molting snake,“ he said with relish. ”Charming kid,“ Danilo repeated. ”Still, he's got a point,“ Arilyn commented. ”The sun will rise within the hour. If we press on we should get through the pass before highsun.“ The dandy sighed deeply. ”Can't we at least stop here long enough for some breakfast? I'll cook. We've already got a campfire.“ Arilyn agreed