Song of the Saurials - Kate Novak [58]
"No, you aren't!" Breck shouted.
"Please stay here, Lady Zhara," Morala coaxed.
Dragonbait made two short, sharp signs to the Turmishwoman, which Alias did not see. Zhara bit her lip and took a deep breath. "I will stay," she said softly.
"Show me to my room."
"Captain Thurbal, would you escort this lady to my wife's quarters and ask Lady Shaeri to look after her?" Mourngrym asked.
"Yes, your lordship," the captain said, nodding. "This way, lady," he said, motioning for Zhara to follow him.
Akabar's wife laid her hand on Dragonbait's chest and looked into his eyes. The paladin ran a clawed finger down the sleeve of her robe and nodded. Then Zhara turned and followed Thurbal from the room, as meekly as a child.
Dragonbait signed to Alias that he would fetch their things from the inn.
Alias nodded. "I'll gather some provisions together if Harper Breck will take care of saddling our horses," she said.
"I'll be waiting for you at the bridge," Breck replied. He strode from the room.
Dragonbait followed him out.
"You have your work cut out for you," Mourngrym warned Alias. "If you think you need help handling Breck, I can ride along with you."
"No, thank you, your lordship," Alias said. "I'm sure Kyre was wrong about Grypht's origins, but if she was correct about his working for the Zhentarim, the Zhentarim may be planning an attack on Shadowdale. The dale folk need you here. As a favor to me, however, please see that Akabar's wife stays here."
"We'll keep her safe," Morala promised.
"Just keep her out of my way," Alias muttered.
Mourngrym pursed his lips with disapproval. Alias never seemed to get along with clergy. It was lucky Dragonbait had so much influence over the Turmishwoman. His lordship wondered what it was the saurial had signed to the priestess to make her obey so readily. "I'll be sure the guards know she's not to leave the tower, Alias," Mourngrym said. "I'll take you down to the storeroom to help you collect provisions."
"I think I'll stay here to rest awhile," Morala said. She stepped closer to the swordswoman. "We should say our good-byes now. Alias of Westgate. If you happen to meet Nameless before we meet again, remember to ask him to tell you the whole truth."
"I'll remember," Alias replied.
Morala reached up and laid a hand on Alias's shoulder. "Grief and pain lie in your path. May sweet music and brave songs bring you strength to endure them until you know joy again." Morala removed her hand from Alias's shoulder.
Alias sighed. She didn't believe prayers did any good, but at least Morala's blessing hadn't been too silly. "Good-bye, Morala," the swordswoman said. "It's been… interesting meeting you"
Morala smiled wryly.
Alias turned and strode from the room, and Mourngrym followed after her.
*****
Grypht looked with a great deal of satisfaction down the ravine that cut across his path. It was quite deep and long, but far too wide to leap across. It was just what he needed to slow down any would-be trackers. He walked north along the edge for a hundred yards, then halted. The scent of fresh-mown hay rose again from his body as he summoned another dimensional portal to take him across the ravine with his burden. Once he stood on the other side, he moved as carefully as possible so as not to leave a trail that could be easily spotted from across the ravine. Then he turned once again toward the sinking sun, following the beam of the yellow crystal.
*****
Dragonbait loped back to the tower carrying two sacks in addition to his pack and Alias's. One sack was full of Alias's weaponry and armor, both old and new; the other contained leftover dried rations he'd had stored in his room. The saurial nodded politely to the guards as he passed through the tower's front gate once again. He crossed the entrance hall quickly, then dashed up the stairs and raced through the corridors. He didn't have much time. He stood before the door to Lady Shaerl's quarters and took a few deep breaths to steady his nerves.
He was about to engage in a deceit, something which always made him uncomfortable,