The Lost Library of Cormanthy - Mel Odom [60]
Whatever they are? Baylee asked sarcastically.
Xuxa chirped in disapproval, almost drawing the lieutenant's gaze.
The man sitting at the table remained on the bench, looking up with no expression. He ate neatly from a small clay plate.
He is a watch wizard, Xuxa announced, though more than that I cannot fathom.
"Baylee Arnvold?" Cordyan asked.
"And you are Lieutenant Cordyan Tsald, though I don't know why you would be looking for me." Baylee watched the way the woman moved, noting the symmetry of power and grace. Though young in years, she carried experience wrapped around her. And for one so young, she had gone far in a very challenging arena to make lieutenant.
"First I must inform you I am here in an official capacity."
Baylee inclined his head. "Of course. I hope you've enjoyed the festivities despite that capacity. I hear you're quite good with an axe."
The woman let the compliment roll past her without acknowledgment. "I need to know when the last time was that you spoke with Fannt Golsway."
"I would have to refer to my journal to give you the exact date," Baylee said. Without warning, a leaden feeling filled his stomach.
"An approximation at this point would be adequate."
"Months," Baylee replied.
"What was the nature of that discussion?"
"I'm sure it had something to do with an antiquity or a point of history," Baylee assured the watch lieutenant. "Golsway has little time to talk to anyone about anything other than that."
"Would that be in your journal as well?"
"If it was something I was interested in."
The woman shifted, taking a step closer to Baylee. "I've been told you and your mentor weren't on the best of speaking terms the last time you saw him."
"We had a disagreement," Baylee agreed. "One which I fully intend to
redress when I see him at the end of the second tenday from now."
"You have intentions of traveling to Waterdeep?"
Baylee glanced around at the forgathering. The questioning had drawn more than a few spectators. "Yes."
"Why?" Cordyan asked.
"You ask a number of questions without giving me an explanation," Baylee said.
"I'm afraid that is the nature of my business." Cordyan's face remained unreadable even to Baylee's trained eye.
"I'm returning to Waterdeep to see Fannt Golsway," Baylee answered.
Cordyan regarded him silently for a moment. Then she said, "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Fannt Golsway is dead."
*****
"Malla, we are ready."
Turning her attention from the staff she held, Krystarn looked over the three men standing in the hallway with her. Only minutes had passed as the men readied themselves for the coming battle. "That is satisfactory, Captain V'nk'itn." She handed him one of the golden bands Shallowsoul had given her. "You understand my instructions on how to use this?"
"Yes, Malla."
Krystarn gave the two remaining bands to the other drow males. "To flinch or lose your focus will get you killed more surely than a blade in the back."
All three males nodded. None of them appeared happy about being in possession of the bands.
"Those of you who fail to use the bands will die by my hand," she promised. Then she took up the staff the lich had given her. She spoke the activation phrase and tapped the staff against the floor.
A ruby beam spat out from the tip of the staff and splashed against the empty space between the walls of the hallway. The beam formed a thin crescent at first, finally flaring out into a full circle that rapidly expanded and filled with swirling rainbows. In heartbeats, it filled the hallway.
Once the dimensional door was secure, the beam faded away.
"Kill the ranger, Baylee Arnvold," she said. "And kill any who are with him." The drow warrior leaped into the dimensional door in front of her. The familiar chill wrapped around her, then took her away.
*****
"When did Golsway die?"
Cordyan Tsald stared into the jade gaze of Baylee Arnvold. "A tenday and