The Alabaster Staff - Edward Bolme [96]
"Yes!" said Kehrsyn. "That's where Ekur went when he read the note. He went to the ship on the Long Wharf."
"When he got back, he ordered you killed," concluded Demok. "Makes sense."
"Yeah, maybe he spotted me shadowing him. I'm not as good as you are."
Demok ignored the comment, causing Kehrsyn to wonder if he thought anyone was as good as he was.
"So Ekur," said Demok, "an ex-Gilgeamite, has embraced Bane, Lord of Darkness."
"That sounds bad," said Kehrsyn.
"Worse," said Demok. "Devoted my life to fighting them. Had a hunch they were holing up here. Wondered if they were in Wing's Reach, the way the house rose to prominence."
"Is Massedar in danger?" asked Kehrsyn.
"Only if Ahegi finds out we know. I'll speak with Massedar directly." He rose and grabbed his swords. "You wait here."
"Please be careful," said Kehrsyn. "And tell him I'm fine."
Demok left, heading into the rain without acknowledging her request.
Demok recovered his horse and rode back to Wing's Reach, taking a circuitous route in hopes of avoiding the house guards. The horse balked at galloping in such dim light, but Demok's continued prodding kept its pace high. He was concerned that Ekur, thinking his cover blown, might try to assassinate Massedar.
He reached Wing's Reach, left his horse in the stable, and struck the stable boy to awaken him.
"Saddle," he barked, and strode into Wing's Reach.
He vaulted up the stairs three at a time to the third floor, where he went directly to Massedar's quarters. He pounded loudly on the doors.
"Whatever it is, it shall await the morning," came a sleepy and very irritated voice. "I have had my fill of interruptions."
"Demok, sir," said he. "Important!" he added, then pounded again.
Massedar muttered as he arose, the emotion, if not the exact words, clearly audible through the doors. At last the door creaked open and Massedar's face, at least a vertical quarter of it, appeared at the door.
"Speak thou thy tidings," he commanded.
"Ahegi, sir," said Demok, in a low, urgent voice. "Kehrsyn has proof he's a Zhent. The traitor we've suspected."
Massedar's sleepy eyes awoke at once, burning with fires of indignation. He pulled the door open wider and looked as if he was going to shout but fought back the impulse. Instead, he closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and drew in a deep breath through his nose.
"Ahegi…" he said, in a voice of resignation.
"Kehrsyn says he's Ekur of Shussel. Ex-Gilgeamite overlord."
"Truly is she more… more valuable than pearls."
"Where there's one priest, could be others."
"No," Massedar said, "there are no others."
"Certain?"
Massedar nodded and said, "Ahegi hath been in my employ these… thirteen, fourteen years… from the beginning. The others have I myself recruited, and none be so lettered as he."
"Best to keep quiet, anyway," said Demok.
"Well spoken, for perhaps he hath adherents of his own." Massedar shook his head, clenching and unclenching his fist. "He, a traitor. That provideth how the thief so well knew where to uncover the Alabaster Staff. Surely the black hand holdeth it now. Would that I knew what other poison and slander he hath spread amidst this house. He hath betrayed everything. The memory of his deity incarnate, the future of his people, and the trust of his benefactor. All these hath he yielded up to the hunger of a foreign god. Such bitter news must I endure. Where is Ahegi at this hour?"
"Hunting Kehrsyn."
"Seeketh he to still her tongue ere it can uncover his treason. Thus hath he pronounced his own doom," said Massedar, and though his voice was calm Demok noticed that his body trembled. "Find thou him, Demok. Do thou whatsoever thou must, to slay this wayward kin-seller who playeth the harlot to foreign gods in our ancient empire. Slay thou him ere his tongue might wag, seeking to poison thee against this house, even me. Only ensure thou that the head remaineth attached to the body, and the mouth and brain save thou undamaged. The fate