The Alabaster Staff - Edward Bolme [51]
Kehrsyn shook her head. "I don't really know anything about it other than it's supposed to be some necromancer's staff."
Massedar pursed his lips. "Fascinating," he said. "That is in part correct. The item hath great powers worthy of no small service unto the plight of the army of Unther. We had recently recovered this item upon expedition, which claimed the lives and souls of some twenty of the near thirty who risked the venture. We have since been negotiating a suitable method of granting this item's power unto the army, that it should smite the Mulhorandi forces in one fell battle."
"But the guild said that you were going to sell the staff," said Kehrsyn.
Ahegi snorted. Massedar smiled slightly and said, "And they, a self-styled guild of thieves, hath intent to save Unther? The guild hath reversed the roles, my dear. I shall use the staff to save our people. The guild would fain sell it for profit. They are, after all, thieves, and they care not a whit who ruleth the day, so long as they should rule the night."
"I guess that makes sense," said Kehrsyn, absently running her fingers along the edges of her brand. "They don't trust me, so why should I trust them?"
"That bringeth us to you, my dear," said Massedar, "and thy role in this intrigue."
"Let me guess," Kehrsyn said. She half-smiled, wryly raising one corner of her mouth. "You want me to burglarize the thieves' guild and bring your magic wand back to you."
Massedar winced and leaned back, pressing his fingers to his temples.
"Please," he said, "is it not enough that High Untheric hath been abandoned by the populace? Must we also mangle the vulgar words of the common tongue?" He exhaled. "Please, young gentlewoman, the word is 'burgle,' not 'burglarize.' Thou art a 'burglar,' not a… a 'burglar-izationator.' " He shuddered. "Thou art a talented young gentlewoman, with grace, intelligence, and beauty. Develop thou thy tongue to be equally attractive."
"Sorry," said Kehrsyn.
"As to thy point, yes, that shall be thy role in this affair. Thou shalt hazard to undo the wrong that thou hast done. Furthermore, the endeavor thou shalt undertake as a retainer of Wing's Reach. Shouldst thou return the aforementioned item, thou shalt be recompensed for thy efforts, with a bounty of, say, one hundred gold shekae for its safe return, plus healing for all wounds incurred."
Kehrsyn's jaw dropped. That was more than she'd made in the last two or three years, and all for what might be a single night's s work!
Massedar looked amused. "I take it that this rate is acceptable unto thee?"
Kehrsyn recovered her aplomb-most of it, at least. She'd never seen someone so free with his gold, let alone when it was being spent in her direction. Nor, for that matter, had she ever met someone of wealth and standing who was able to look past her street-urchin veneer and see the woman beneath.
"Uh, yeah," she said, "that would be fine. Then… you won't turn me over for stealing?"
"Heavens, no," said Massedar with distaste. "If thou canst do this, why ever would I throw away a work of art such as thee? Perish the thought."
"Good. Well… great!" said Kehrsyn. "I'll do my best." She thought about the situation for a moment and smiled. "It'll be good to turn the horns on a certain someone."
"So be it," said Massedar with finality. "Demok shall see to thy needs."
Demok ushered her up and started to guide her out of the room, but at the door Kehrsyn pulled away, just in time to see Massedar open the doors to his quarters.
"I want an advance!" she exclaimed, need overcoming her self-consciousness.
Massedar turned around, a hard look in his handsome blue eyes.
"You want coin?" yelled Ahegi. "Thinkest thou to line thy purse and flee?"
"No," said Kehrsyn, "no gold. I… I want a hot bath. Please, sir."
Massedar stared at her for another moment, then chuckled.
"So be it," he said. "See ye her provided with the largest bath in this house, with oils and soaps. Wash her garments whilst she relaxeth,