The Dream Spheres - Elaine Cunningham [32]
Elaith lifted his mug in salute to the departing mercenary and then drank to his memory.
* * * * *
The white whirl of magical travel faded away. Danilo found himself standing in a dark, cold room-not the comfort he expected from his lavish townhouse or from Monroe, his capable halfling steward.
Danilo was too heartsick to care overmuch about domestic incompetence. Monroe could burn the damn place down, for all he cared. He closed his eyes and heaved a profound sigh.
"What are you doing here, and at this hour?" demanded a low, furious, and slightly accented male voice.
Khelben Arunsun's voice.
Danilo's eyes popped open, then narrowed as he peered at the large, dark figure at the far side of the room. "Uncle? Is that you?"
"Considering that this is Laeral's bedchamber and that I expect her back directly, I should hope that it is no other! Explain yourself, boy, and be quick about it."
Danilo's hands flashed through the gestures for the globe of light cantrip. In response to the minor casting, a glowing sphere bobbed into life between them. A mixture of light and shadows revealed the strong, stern features of Waterdeep's archmage.
Khelben Arunsun appeared to be a man in vigorous middle life, tall and broad and well-muscled. His hairline was in retreat, but what remained was thick and black and only lightly threaded with silver. His beard was full and neatly trimmed, with a distinctive silver stripe in the middle. Dark brows drew together in a scowl of consternation over nearly black eyes.
Even in his current state of mind, Danilo could see a certain humor in the situation. "I swear before Mystra, Uncle, you are the only man alive who could manage to look formidable when clad only in his nightshirt."
The archmage's scowl deepened. "Only a handful of mortals can pass the magical wards that guard this tower. If you wish to remain among them, speak quickly and speak sense!"
Danilo's wan grin disappeared. Without doubt Khelben deserved some word of explanation, but if Danilo had devoted serious thought to the matter, he could not have contrived a place, a person, or a conversation he would rather avoid.
"A miscast spell, Uncle, nothing more. Accept my apologies, and I'll be on my way."
The archmage would not let the matter lie. "What has come over you? Are you ill? Bewitched? Utterly given over to stupidity? I heard tell of the jest you played at Cassandra's party-as who did not?"
"Uncle-"
"And now this! Have you not incurred enough wrath to enliven one evening? I do not imagine Cassandra was amused by the skyflower trick, or Arilyn either, for that matter. If you must play these frivolous jests, you would be wise to inflict them on those less able to retaliate. Furthermore- "
"Uncle." Dan cut off the wizard's tirade with a sharp tone and an upraised hand. "Believe me, I did not design the skyflower spell as a prank. Nor did I intend to come here."
The cloud of ire slowly lifted from the archmage's face, to be replaced by dawning concern. "This is plain truth?"
"Unadorned."
Khelben nodded slowly, his eyes intent upon the young mage. "This could be serious. There are some magicks-not many, Mystra be praised-that can have such effects. Have you bought another singing sword or some such nonsense?"
"No, nothing. Must we speak of this now?"
The archmage merely lifted one brow. Danilo sighed and began to gather words to explain what he suspected-and what he had done. "As you know, the magic of Arilyn's moonblade has not always been stable," he began.
"That is true enough, and I perceive the feel of elven magic about you."
It was on the tip of Danilo's tongue to confess that the moonblade's magic had also been affected, until he remembered his mother's words, and Oth's, and Regnet's, and the many other small remarks that had warned him away from following his heart. Anger surged through Danilo at the thought that Khelben would add his considerable weight to the argument.
"You need not concern yourself," he