The Lost Library of Cormanthy - Mel Odom [116]
"And an expedition party isn't equipped mentally or physically to do battle the way these people are," Innesdav said. He held a lantern ahead of them, chipping away at the shadows that filled the hallway. "What you trade off of one, you more than gain on another." He found Baylee's room and shoved the door open.
The room was a small square, nearly filled by the bed and the reading table near the window overlooking one of the inner courtyards. Xuxa leaped from the staff that Innesdav carried the lantern on and flew ahead into the room.
"But you could send me first," Baylee protested. "After I've had a look, if necessary, the Waterdhavian Watch unit could be sent through."
"Had not Golsway himself been killed by whatever forces guard the library, I would have recommended just that," Innesdav said. "But the fact remains that I lost a dear and true friend. I do not want to lose two such friends."
"There is no arguing?" Baylee persisted. "I could be sent through tonight, perhaps even be back before morning."
Innesdav shook his head. Then he swept an arm toward the interior of the room. "I have laid aside some of your favorite books, and a selection of ones that I thought you might find interesting." The old monk indicated the pile of books on the reading table. He touched the lantern to the candles on the table, lighting them. Wards protected Candlekeep from ever burning down despite the torches, lanterns, and candles that seemed to burn in every room.
"Thank you," Baylee said.
"But those are intended only if you find you can't sleep," Innesdav warned. "Sleeping tonight is probably the best thing you can do."
Baylee ignored the advice. His senses thrummed inside him, threatening to explode out of his skin. He walked to the open window and peered out. The full moon hung high in the sable night.
Glancing down and to the right, he saw Cordyan Tsald walk past a window. He only caught a glimpse of a diaphanous nightgown over smooth, curved flesh. Then the shade was pulled, leaving only an interesting shadow limned against the material.
"If there is anything else you require?" Innesdav asked.
"No." Baylee turned around and faced his old friend. "No, thank you. You've been more than generous, as always."
Innesdav stood there in the doorway, the lantern hanging from the end of his staff. "I care about you, Baylee, and I don't want to see that love of adventure and exploration that Golsway instilled in you get you killed. You rush in where most others would hesitate. That courage has served you in the past, but don't be drawn to this prize only to find that the only thing you've discovered is your own doom."
"I've not found anything yet that I couldn't walk away from."
Innesdav was silent for a time. "Success, young warrior, that's one thing you've never walked away from. And it is hard for most men."
"Why would you want to?" Baylee asked.
"The answer to that," the monk said, "lies within yourself."
"Is that a quote?"
"No," Innesdav said in a quiet voice, "that is a fact of life. I bid you good night."
Baylee said good night as well, then went back to staring out the window, waiting for the morning.
Innesdav was right, Xuxa said. You should sleep.
I can't.
You're more disciplined than that, Baylee.
This is it, Xuxa. Can't you feel that?
Yes. But it makes me afraid at the same time. The azmyth bat dropped from her perch and flapped over to the ranger. She landed heavily on his shoulders, then stretched out a wing to touch his cheek lightly.
Everything is going to be all right, he told her. And he hoped it was true.
24
"Wait till after my signal, then begin riding through."
Baylee sat astride a horse lent to him from the stable of Candlekeep. The rest of the unit was similarly equipped. He wore a chain mail shirt in deference to the danger they could possibly face in a short time, hating it for its restriction on his movements and its likelihood of making more noise than he wanted to.
Civva