Sentinelspire - Mark Sehestedt [49]
Returning from his vigil on the mountain, still bare-chested with his shirt thrown over one shoulder and the dust of the mountain covering him, Sauk strolled past the main gate of the Tower of the Sun. The walls of purple stone surrounding the massive cylinder of the Tower could scarcely be seen through the riot of vines, leaves, and flowers that had grown over the wall and spilled into the street. Only the main gate remained clear, and as Sauk approached it, four men-veteran blades, every one-walked out and onto the pathway. Sauk knew them. Everyone was loyal to the Old Man and had not been brought into Talieth's plot. But if they had any suspicion of the conspiracy, they'd never given any sign.
"Vasilik!" Sauk called out.
Vasilik, a blond and bearded Illuskan, was the only blade in the Fortress who could look Sauk eye to eye, though he lacked the half-orc's bulk. With his pale skin and long hair, the man looked like the famed barbarians from so many bard's tales, but Vasilik had been no more than muscle for one of the guilds in Waterdeep before joining the blades of Sentinelspire.
"Well met, Sauk," he said. The other three stopped at his side.
"How fares the Old Man?" asked Sauk.
A look of reverence-almost of awe-passed over the men's faces. One even lowered his eyes, almost as if in prayer. Fools, thought Sauk.
"Hale as ever," said Vasilik. "He has ordered all the blades and servants from his Tower, for tonight is a holy night. A night of preparation and contemplation. Would you care to join us?"
"Where will you take your vigil?"
"Under the oaks in the Garden of Winged Horses," said Vasilik. "We would be honored if you would join us." "I will consider it."
Draalim, a small Calishite whom Sauk knew often posed as a merchant throughout the Sword Coast, spoke up. "All the faithful must prepare, Sauk. The day draws close."
"It does indeed," said Sauk, and he walked around them.
+++++
Valmir watched the last of the bright green tail disappear into the foliage of the tree. He'd been watching the snake for some time. First as it crawled out from the bushes that lined the pathway to the fountain, then over the lawn. It had come within spitting distance of his bare feet before sliding through the grass to begin winding its way up the tree. Probably hunting birds' eggs. Gods knew, this time of year the trees would be full of them.
Valmir'd been lounging under the tree since finishing his exercises. He'd been teaching himself a few spells here and there-mostly little cantrips or invocations to help in his line of work. But since becoming one of the blades of Sentinelspire-or more correctly, since charming his way into Talieth's bed-she had begun teaching him more powerful spells. Beyond moving silently, unlocking a door, or covering his scent from hounds, Talieth's spells had true power. He'd mastered only one so far, but he'd been practicing the rest. Still didn't quite have the fourth order of finger movements down, but he was getting close. A nearby boulder still bore the scorch marks from his few near successes. But doing the damned finger motions tired him out, and Valmir had never been one to hesitate from a good rest.
The Star Fountain-so named because of the star blossoms that dominated the surrounding foliage and dropped their petals into the singing water beneath the fountain-was his favorite place to spend the morning doing absolutely nothing. Here, under the shade of the massive old oak whose roots sank into the fountain's pool, there was plenty of shade, and most of the bees left him alone, preferring the sunlight amongst the star blossoms.
Birds overhead began making a terrible racket. That snake must be getting close to a late breakfast, thought Val. The birds were so noisy that Val saw Sauk passing by on his right before he heard him. The half-orc was bare above the waist. He carried his shirt and a big leather satchel