him and have your men keep a very close watch on the entire entourage. I want to know where they're staying, who they contact while they're here-everything.“ ”Consider it done. In the meantime, may I suggest we try to learn more about the victim?“ * * * * * A short time later, Myrmeen stood outside Othmann's shop. The mages soon completed their work, verified that it was safe to enter, and allowed Myrmeen to follow them inside. There were no windows, so torches had to be lit. The interior of the shop consisted of a few shelves on the walls, several glass cases, a desk with three chairs-one behind, two in front-and a small room in the back, where empty crates were piled up to hide a large black box. They approached it cautiously, since it was warded by three spells. These proved to be simple enchantments, easily undone by the skillful sorcerers. Inside, they found several bags of gold and a handful of precious stones. The mages examined several of the artifacts around the shop and verified that each was of very high quality. The power resting within them was quite genuine. Only a dilapidated Harp of Myth Drannor brought a skeptical frown. The first mage, a tired older man named Volney, turned to his partner. ”All right, Walcott, take this down: a ring of invisibility, five vials of healing potions, two small jars of ointments to restore youth and instill longevity, and a chalice from which a man might drink and see his future. Fairly standard stuff.“ Walcott seemed world-weary and definitely unimpressed by Volney's casual dismissal of the store's contents. He nodded agreeably anyway, then turned to Myrmeen. ”He has amulets that will explode upon the wrongful death of the owner. Take half a city block with for revenge, too. There are items here to trap a shapeshifter in its present form, and much more. It makes no sense at all that he was killed so easily.“ ”What are you saying?“ Myrmeen asked. Walcott shrugged. 'The man knew the streets could be dangerous at night, yet he never traveled with guards of any kind. He obviously felt safe from any mundane threat.” “That's true,“ Myrmeen said, recalling the testimony of several other shop owners she had questioned while waiting for the mages to complete their task. ”Unless, of course, he carried some of these objects of power on him, so that if he were attacked, he'd be able to defend himself.“ She paused. ”But when we went over his body and his clothing, we found nothing.“ ”Perhaps that's what the killer was after,“ Volney said, hoping to reclaim his faltering position of authority. ”Some object Othmann carried on his person.“ ”If he had a weapon, why didn't he use it?“ Myrmeen asked. ”He may not have had the chance,“ Walcott noted grimly. ”Not if his murderer was a powerful mage.“ Myrmeen found it very warm in the shop. She wiped away the sweat that was starting to fall into her eyes. ”So you think this was a matter of theft? Then
why bring Othmann to the gardens? The wards protecting this place were already undone. Why not drag him back inside and kill him here? They could have cleaned the shop out.“ ”If his murderer was a true master of the Art,“ Walcott said, ”he wouldn't have been interested in most of the shop's contents. Like we said, this stuff is all pretty standard.“ Volney nodded sagely. ”And to a high-powered wizard the wards at the gardens would have been child's play to undo.“ All three were startled by a knock at the door. Evon Stralana appeared and ushered an attractive woman into the room. Myrmeen had sent the minister of defense to fetch the owner of Elhazir's Exotica for questioning. The woman had honey-blond hair, doe eyes, and a hardness about her mouth that seemed incongruous. She was overdressed, her wardrobe overwhelmed entirely by the cheap, flashy jewelry she sold. Her dress was a poor imitation of Myrmeen's latest formal gown. Scurrying in behind the woman was a young girl with wide, frightened eyes and a simple white dress. The child looked beyond her mistress, to Myrmeen, and her eyes widened. ”Lord Lhal,“ the first woman said. ”I am Elhazir. This