Stormlight - Ed Greenwood [14]
"I-I'm heartened to know that you understand," Broglan said hesitantly. "I have just two more questions. Firstly, how far can I trust the local boldshield Ergluth Rowanmantle?"
"Absolutely, so long as you do nothing he sees as a threat to the realm. The man is loyal through and through, and is far more… perceptive than most Purple Dragon commanders. Next question."
Broglan took a deep breath-this was it, there was no ducking the matter now-and plunged right in. "It looks like we're going to have a senior Harper who also happens to be of the Seven Sisters on our hands, here, any moment now. Storm Silverhand is named prominently in Athlan Summerstars will."
"Did he deed the vale to her, or just the keep?"
"Neither-quite," Broglan replied. "There's nothing that diminishes the authority of the crown of Cormyr… but she is guaranteed freedom to arrive, leave, dwell, and hunt in the vale as she pleases, unless or until a subsequent royal decree deems otherwise. I think Athlan was aiming to protect his lands and kin by surrounding them with a Harper training facility, if anything happened to him."
"You think he knew he was going to die soon," Vangerdahast asked, "and specifically how, or at whose hand?"
"It's impossible to say. It feels like he was just being cautious-unusually cautious, for one so young."
"Indeed," the royal magician agreed. "As for Storm-watch her. There's not a lot any of us can do to stop her. Just be polite to her, and watch."
"But what if she's our murderer?"
"Why would she slaughter some back-country noble in another land? Use your head, man-if Storm took any interest in Summerstar at all, it's because he was mixed up in something the Harpers didn't approve of… slaving, dealing with the Zhentarim, or the like. All the more reason to be wary. Doesn't this Firefall Keep have a haunted quarter, or something?"
"A 'Haunted Tower,' Lord," Broglan replied.
"And what better way for someone at the keep to hide-or explain away-funny goings-on? "You didn't really see that-it was ghosts!' "
"I see where you're leading, Lord. It could be someone striking out against Lord Athlan because he uncovered the secret, or threatened to."
"Exactly. And if Storm is a danger, get away from there and get word to me, above all else! That spell-reflection amulet I gave you ought to protect you against at least one attack, if she offers you violence. If that happens-don't waste your chance to flee, even if means abandoning the others, or a pretty young lady of the realm, or all the Summerstars and their horses and servants too! Got it?"
"I understand, Lord-and I thank you."
"Speak to me whenever you feel the need," Vangerdahast said briskly. The stone crackled once and started to sink toward the cushion. Broglan sat back wearily and watched it fall.
Encouraging words, but no aid. He was on his own, at least for now. How many more deaths would it take, how many more war wizards would die before the royal magician sent serious aid? And would that aid, if it did ever come, reach Firefall Keep in time?
Broglan rubbed at his eyes. He did not see the darkness that shifted in one of the shadows beyond the wards to slink away to the next shadow. One of the wards flared for an instant, as if powerful magic had been used nearby, but Broglan did not see that soundless flash, or its cause.
Sometimes mighty mages are just as tired and careless as the rest of us.
* * * * *
"My thanks for your work in getting to me so