The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [57]
Talal had a quick answer to that. "He's out doom."
CHAPTER 17
Keczulla, Amn 3 Marpenoth, the Year
of Lightning Storms (1374DR)
"But of course the family stands happy to extend whatever assistance young Lord Morel may require, provided he understands the weight of the favors his father has already accrued."
"Your point is clearly taken, Lady." Kali bowed to the coldly smiling Lady Rothtes and continued his trek across the ballroom.
Absently, he scanned the second floor balcony for Cesira. She was nowhere in sight, but that was hardly a surprise. With its open view of the main ballroom, the second floor was a popular spot, and thus quite crowded.
Kail left the echoing chatter of the ballroom and crossed the dark gatden to the tower staiis. The double-arched windows of his fathei's former offices stood exactly as they had in Esmeltaran, though the current occupant of the tower hardly cared what view he had.
Sytek Dantane stood bent ovet a table, examining a book that was easily the length of his arm. The wizard had to shuffle a step left and fight to read the text.
"I'd love to see the bookshelf that came out of," Kail said by way of gfeeting.
The wizard did not immediately answer. When he did, he lifted only his eyes from the tome. They were as clear and as blue as Kail's, with a matching sheen of barely concealed hostility.
"I'm sure it would astound you. One actually has to read books on a regular basis to appreciate that knowledge comes in many forms."
Kail ignored the insult. "Surely you can agree inscribing a tome that's impossible to lift botders on the absutd?"
"Whatever you say, Lord Morel. In fact, I was just about to gathei my absurd bits of lore and be gone from your house."
Kali leaned against the doorframe. "I don't tecall asking you to leave. Could be my mind is slipping. We Motels are famous for our scattered wits, you know."
"As it happens, I do," Dantane said. "No, you haven't asked me to leave, but judging from the fact that you've avoided my requests for an audience since you came here, I'm assuming my eviction cannot be far off."
Kail shrugged. "You may be right. Eatlier today, I was going to throw you out without a conversation, but I changed my mind."
"What brought about that bit of charity?" "I have questions about my father."
Dantane gathered his robes about him, perching on the edge of the table. "Ask."
"When did you come to him?"
"Deepwinter. I was traveling through the city and ran into a bit of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?"
Dantane looked irritated. "The kind that comes when ignorance is allowed too free a rein."
Kali smirked. "Amnians are quite vocal about their wizard-hatred, aren't they?" he said.
"Your father was able to intervene on my behalf, although why he took the trouble-"
"Is the mystery I'm most concerned with," Kail interrupted.
"My father hated magic more actively than most."
"So he took great pains to explain to me. Yet, he claimed a greater need drove him to hire me. He suspected someone close was using magic against him. He wished me to find the source."
Now Kail listened intently. "Did you?"
Dantane pushed away from the table. He strode to a locked cupboard in the corner and murmured something. A door creaked open, and Dantane reached inside, withdrawing an object that was unfamiliar to Kali: an ornate silver brooch set with a square, thumb-sized amethyst. "I removed this from your fathers person, though its magic was already drained to nothing."
"What is it?"
"Exactly what it appears, but your father's blood is on the pin. That blood bore traces of a subtle mind-altering magic. I've seen similar pieces before. The spells make a person extremely susceptible to suggestion, but only from those they trust- friends or family. For instance, if the lady of the house doesn't approve of the way her husband is using the family finances, instead of throwing a fuss, she can use this to influence him in new directions."
"But the lord would be unaffected in business dealings with enemies and rivals?" Kail asked.
"Precisely.