Temple Hill - Drew Karpyshyn [26]
Corin would have preferred her to stay upstairs, but he already knew his charge well enough to realize that wasn't an option.
"IH meet you for supper," Corin said. "The same time as last night."
"Sleep tight," Lhasha said, closing the door between their rooms.
"Many of the young men are asking about you," Tebia, the halfling waitress, told Lhasha as she cleared away the supper plates. With a mischievous smile she added, They want me to find out if you're going to be dancing with anyone in particular this evening."
"Not tonight," the half-elf answered. "I think 111 just turn in early." Seeing the sour, accusing look the young server shot Corin, Lhasha quickly added, Tm just a little tired. I'll be back out on the dance floor tomorrow-I promise."
Seemingly satisfied, the halfling finished clearing the table. "Sleep well, Lhasha," she said as the half-elf went up the stairs to her room, Corin only a few steps behind.
Tm glad to see you showing some restraint," the warrior said as they climbed the steps.
"Well, I've got to work sometime," Lhasha explained. "If I don't go out and earn some gold, we won't be able to stay here very long."
Corin waited until they had reached the rooms before responding to her comment. He followed Lhasha into her chambers and closed the door behind him before saying, "I don't think that's a good idea. You should keep a low profile for a while. Maybe the Masks will forget about you if you disappear for a month or two."
Lhasha shook her head with a rueful smile.
"We both know they won't forget, no matter how long I wait. And I need to earn some coin. Don't worry. Ill be careful."
The warrior could only hope she spoke the truth. He wouldn't be able to follow her on her mission. He lacked the skills, and limbs, necessary to scale walls, climb through windows, and sneak silently through the shadows. If he went with her, he'd only attract attention, and increase the likelihood of her getting caught in the act.
"I'll be waiting here for you when you get back," he said, taking a seat on the chair by her bed.
"I don't mind you waiting in my room for me to return," Lhasha told him, "but do you mind stepping out for a minute while I change clothes? Unless you want me to go out wearing this."
Hopping to his feet, Corin silently cursed himself for his stupidity. Of course Lhasha had no intention of leaving the building clad in the eye catching ensemble she had worn down to supper.
"Ill let you back in when I'm ready to go," the half-elf assured him as he marched back to his own room.
Twenty minutes later Lhasha knocked at the door separating their adjoining rooms. After a brief pause, she opened it and stepped through. She was clad head to toe in a black, form-fitting outfit. Her long, delicate fingers were covered by thin black gloves, and a wide belt hung with a variety of tools and pouches encircled her tiny waist.
"What do you think?" she asked coyly. "Like my work clothes?"
"Very… practical," Corin said at last, arching an eyebrow.
"Gond's hammer," Lhasha exclaimed, "I think that just may have been a joke! There's hope for you yet, Corin." With that she was gone, slipping out the window to her own room and gliding down the wall to the street two floors below. She disappeared into the gloom, becoming one with the shadows of the night.
CHAPTER SIX
As the young man waited for his superior to arrive, he began to wonder if it was all worth it. The life of a Harper was never easy. The road was hard, the demands relentless. Family and friends were often neglected or left behind in the course of doing one's duty. Death hounded a Harper's every step.
In Elversult, that life was particularly harsh. In addition to the usual difficulties, there were a wide variety of concerns peculiar to the area. Infiltrating the Purple Masks. Maintaining Yanseldara's rule of law in a city that was, until only recently, controlled entirely by criminals. Plus, Elversult had always been a flashpoint for