The Dream Spheres - Elaine Cunningham [93]
"Admirably." Rhammas pushed a folded bit of parchment across the table. "You can find her there. She is expecting a visit from you this night. I hope that will be convenient."
It was far from convenient. Danilo considered the day he had spent and the plans he had for the night ahead. His servants were preparing a private feast for two, then anticipating a night's holiday while their master and his lady had the house to themselves-a stolen hour or two before they tended Danilo's latest social responsibility.
Frustration swept through him. One more duty, one more delay-and this time, he could not place the blame on Arilyn's moonblade.
"Convenient is not the word I would have chosen," he commented. "Nonetheless, all will be done as you ask."
* * * * *
When Danilo sent word canceling their evening plans, Arilyn had returned with the messenger and insisted upon accompanying Danilo into the Dock Ward. He seemed oddly preoccupied and was reticent about details of the task ahead.
A simple matter, he told her. He would make the first contact, then two Harper agents would see the plan through. That much was true, of that Arilyn was certain, but she could not guess what truths remained unspoken.
Her questions settled into certainty the moment the young woman opened the door to her chamber. This woman was not Rhammas Thann's mistress, but his child.
Arilyn glanced from Danilo to the girl. The resemblance was remarkable. Though her hair was an unusual shade of pale red-gold, her face had the same well-shaped features and sharply defined bones. Also familiar was the slender, graceful form reminiscent of dancers or-and this insight startled Arilyn-gold elves. The girl could probably claim an elven ancestor no more than two or three generations back. Arilyn had never seen the evidence of Danilo's distant elven heritage, but it was there beyond doubt in the mirror that was his sister's face.
Nor did the similarity end there. Familiar mischief lurked behind the girl's uncertain smile and intelligence was evident in the quick, observant glance she cast over her visitors. Arilyn would wager that the girl didn't miss much.
The tavern maid seemed reassured by what she saw, at any rate. She stepped back and swept a hand toward the poor room-a gesture that was at once sincere welcome and self-parody. "You are kind to come, Lord Thann."
"Lilly," Danilo said, studying the girl with puzzlement. "I did not expect to see you."
"I'll warrant you did not," she agreed. She glanced over at the half-elf and gave her a small, knowing smile-one that confirmed what Arilyn saw and gave a wordless, wistful commentary on the blindness of men. "Thank you for coming, lass. I'm taking it as a kindness that you came along with Lord Thann, seeing as how rough this part of town can be."
"You'll be safe soon enough," Arilyn assured her. She looked to Danilo to explain the plan.
His attention had been captured by a small object on the bed. "Is that what I think it is?" he demanded.
Lilly winced. "Aye, I'm guessing it is. A weakness of mine, I'm afraid."
"A dangerous one," he said sternly, sounding more like Khelben Arunsun than Arilyn would have thought possible. She debated whether to remark on this and decided to keep this observation on hand for a later time. It was always wise to have a hidden weapon or two.
After a few words about the risks of taking magic lightly, Danilo quickly explained the arrangements. Two Harpers, Hector and Cynthia, would come to the tavern toward the end of the late shift. Hector would bring a small covered cart to the back alley, and Cynthia would slip up to Lilly's room. The two women were to change clothes, and Cynthia would stay in Lilly's place. Hector would take Lilly to the North Gate and place her in the charge of a discreet caravan master, who would give her passage to an orchard village outside the city. From there, it was westward to Suzail along with the new-pressed cider. At each step, Lilly would be supplied with coin and lodging. A substantial