The Lost Library of Cormanthy - Mel Odom [49]
Baylee smiled at the thought. Of all the rangers gathered at the concourse, old Vaggit indeed did have the least problem finding someone to care for his tent and precious few belongings.
"There you are," a feminine voice said. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
Aymric and Baylee turned together. "Serellia," Baylee said with a smile, opening his arms. "And how are you?"
The woman came into Baylee's arms with a flurry of leather. She was as tall as he, her garments crafted of purple-dyed leather, and her raven's-wing black hair cut short around her face. The one-piece skirt/tunic allowed a view of generous cleavage and an expanse of toned, healthy thigh. A short sword hung upside down from her back in a quick release sheath.
The hug lasted long enough to make Baylee feel uncomfortable in the presence of so many other people. He politely broke the hold and stepped back, his hands resting on Serellia's shoulders.
"I am fine," Serellia said.
"The last I saw of you," Baylee said, "there was the matter of a certain Red Wizard of Thay who'd sent a dozen or so sellswords after you to return a bauble you stole from him."
Serellia's eyes widened playfully, and she looked around behind Baylee. "Surely, they're not still in pursuit. It's been months."
"They gave up?" Baylee asked.
Serellia nodded. "After I killed three of them in their sleep, over the course
of five days."
"Dear lady," Aymric said, "I can't believe any man would cease to chase after you." He took Serellia's hand and kissed her fingers delicately. "It would take death to still a man's heart after he's looked upon your beauty."
Serellia laughed out loud as she took her hand back from the elf. "What a bag of offal." She looked around the crowd. "Has someone got a camp spade?"
Baylee laughed as well when he saw the pained grimace flicker across Aymric's aristocratic features.
Why couldn't you be more interested in someone like Serellia? Xuxa asked. Now here's a human female even an azmyth bat can appreciate. Other men think she's beautiful. I've read their thoughts while they've been around you and her. Even Aymric appears smitten.
It's the wine, Baylee said.
Faugh! Look at her. She is beautiful, and I know she cares about you because I've read her mind on more than one-
Xuxa!
"Who's your friend with the quick compliments?" Serellia asked.
"You two haven't met?" Baylee asked, surprised. Sometimes it seemed that Aymric knew everyone, and everyone knew him.
"No," Aymric answered. "I've never had the… pleasure."
"No," Serellia said, "you haven't. Otherwise you'd know not to try to mire me in such an approach."
Baylee managed the introductions. "Aymric, I'd like to introduce Serellia Oparyan, an explorer like myself."
"For profit or play?" Aymric asked.
"For knowledge," Serellia replied without rancor. "And a chance to see all of Toril."
"Ambitious," Aymric said.
"Very," Serellia agreed.
"And this is Aymric Tailpuller," Baylee said. "A falconer without equal."
"I've heard of you," Serellia said. "Your birds are among the best in all of the Heartlands."
A shadow of a smile returned to Aymric's face. "Then I am to assume that you've not traveled much further than there. Otherwise, you would have learned that the birds I have trained are the best in other lands as well."
Baylee noted the disapproving looks they gathered from nearby people who were listening to Vaggit's tale of Myth Drannor's fall. He ushered his two friends out of the group and toward a campfire that had been all but abandoned. A small knot of men surrounded one of the tables, trading goods scattered across folded cloths as they bartered.
"I'll go get some wine," Baylee offered as Aymric and Serellia took up seats at the table. He guessed that would take the edge off for the elf, and Serellia liked wine as well.
Maybe it would be in your interest to try to spend more time with Serellia,
Xuxa said. At the closest wine cask, Baylee took up three