The City of Splendors_ A Waterdeep Novel - Ed Greenwood [103]
"So you gave me this slipshield so Korvaun could take his own form and be seen leaving, and Lord Piergeiron could be taken away in yet another man's likeness. That whole brawl was staged, wasn't it?"
Asper grinned. "We can't hope to fool true brawlers such as yourselves."
Roldo reddened. "Lady, do you hate nobles so much?"
"No, Lord Thongolir. My tongue makes sport of everyone. Please forgive me."
Roldo swallowed. Women didn't stir him much, but when Asper looked at him like that… "So in my shape and feigning drunk, Lord Piergeiron was arrested."
Asper nodded. "And conveyed safely to the Castle in a prison-wagon."
"All this just to fool watching eyes?"
She nodded again. "I saw scores of them, just glancing out the windows here."
Roldo caught sight of himself, still in the Open Lord's form, in the light-reflecting window. He grimaced at the unseemly disarray and peeled another cobweb from his hair. It was uncanny, seeing Piergeiron's hands obeying his thoughts!
"We'll arrange for the payment of your fine. I apologize for any blot this might leave on your good name."
"A night in the Castle for drunken brawling in a house of healing and pleasure? That can only enhance my reputation," Roldo said dryly.
"With your noble friends, but there remains your wife. I can explain matters to her, if you will-not everything, but enough to ease her mind."
Roldo managed a smile. "Your offer's both kind and appreciated, but I suspect the sight of you would more unsettle my lady wife than thoughts of an entire festhall of hired beauties."
"Gallantly said, milord! If you didn't resemble Piergeiron so closely, I'd suspect you of flirtation!"
They shared a chuckle as a high horn-call rang out, echoing off Mount Waterdeep in a triumphant ascending flourish.
Asper smiled. "He's safe inside," she announced, drawing him away from the windows into another room, where she reached for the hawk-and-snowflake pendant resting on the breastplate of Piergeiron's armor.
As she lifted the charm, a strange tingling swept through Roldo, and the armor felt suddenly heavy and cumbersome. Looking down, he saw that his hands were his own once more.
Asper helped him out of the too-large armor, and handed the slipshield back. "A small reward. In case you ever need it."
Roldo regarded the device with unease. Magic was something he preferred to regard from a distance… and there was something deeper and disturbing about the slipshield, something personal. To one who hides from the world behind a mask, this little thing was ultimate power… and temptation.
"I'll not deny the worth of this gift or the honor you do me in giving it," he said slowly, "but I'm not the man to carry it. Pretending to be someone you're not is a great burden."
Mirt's lady eyed him shrewdly. "One you know something about."
He raised his eyes to hers. "I've never pretended to be other than I am. But I have responsibilities, obligations…"
"And the slipshield might tempt you from those?"
"Lady, you may think me a coward, but that's something I'd rather not learn about myself."
Asper kissed his cheek. "Courage comes in many forms, as do those who possess it. You came without question when your friend called."
"Korvaun's a good man. If he says a thing must be done, I trust his reasons."
"You're right to trust him." Her hand closed his fingers around the slipshield. "Then find another you judge able to bear this little burden. Dawn breaks; we'll see you safely home."
Roldo lifted her fingers to his lips. "I'll strive to be worthy of your trust."
He bowed, strode back to the room of windows, and then turned with a frown. "'We'?"
Asper smiled and drew aside another curtain, and Roldo found himself staring at three scarred, monstrously large sharpswords whose very looks made him shudder. Two of them tried to smile, and that made it even worse.
"Some of Mirt's friends," Asper said sweetly. "They'll see you safely out of Dock Ward-to whatever front gates you'd like."
Gods, if this dangerously capable woman ever crossed wills with his Sarintha