The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [11]
"Found that out, did you? Who let it slip?"
"It makes no difference," Giogi retorted. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Your Aunt Dorath made me swear not to."
"How could you agree to something like that?" Giogi demanded. "I thought vou liked my father."
"I loved your father," Drone whispered angrily. "I had my reasons. Now hush up and listen."
When they'd reached the bottom of the staircase, the new footman popped out of an alcove and asked, "Shall I fetch Master Giogioni's things, sir?"
"Yes, yes," Uncle Drone snapped, annoyed at the interruption. He watched the footman's back until the servant disappeared from sight. Drone swiveled his neck in all four cardinal points, making sure he and Giogi were alone in the hall before he spoke again. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The spur and the thief aren't in the catacombs."
"What! Then why did you tell us all-?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. I had good reasons, but Dory would never understand. You must go down into the catacombs anyway to keep up the charade, and tell me everything that happens there."
From the hallway upstairs they could hear Aunt Dorath bellow, "Drone!"
"Look, I'll explain it to you tomorrow night when you return. In the meantime-"
The footman returned with Giogi's cloak. Drone took the cloak and waved the servant away. As the old wizard wrapped Giogi up in the garment, he whispered, "In the meantime, watch your step. Your life could possibly, just possibly, be in danger." He opened the front door, and cold air rushed into the hallway.
"Because of the spur, you mean?" Giogi asked.
"Not because of the spur-well, maybe because of it, but not the way you might think-"
"Drone!" Aunt Dorath called out a second time.
Uncle Drone pushed Giogi out the door, saying, "I'll explain tomorrow. Remember-watch your step." The wizard closed the door on Giogi before he could protest further.
My life could possibly, just possibly, be in danger, Giogi thought. He shuddered, not just from the cold. A wizard such as Drone said "just possibly" only in cases where anyone else in the Realms would say, "most definitely."
A hearty spring wind, fresh off the Wyvernwater, danced around the side of the castle and tore through Giogi's cloak. He shuddered again and wished that he'd stayed in Westgate, where all he'd had to worry about were dragons, earthquakes, and power struggles. They really were insignificant compared to these family crises.
3
Olive and Jade
The halfling hid in the shadows-even though there was no one presently on the streets for her to hide from. Hiding in shadows was an art, and the halfling's mother had always warned her, "Never neglect your art, Olive-girl," so Olive hid in the shadows. Besides, sooner or later someone would come along the street.
That's what makes the natives of Cormyr a great people, Olive thought fondly. While citizens of other nations would cower indoors on a cold spring night like this, Cormytes will brave anything to visit the taverns of their choice. At this hour, there were usually just enough pedestrians to offer her a selection, but not so many that she need worry about any witnesses to her light-fingered larceny.
While she watched the street, Olive twiddled a platinum coin across the tips of her slender, dexterous fingers. A gust of wind from off the lake swirled around the corner and into the alley, blowing a strand of her long, russet hair into her green eyes. Olive pocketed the coin and pushed the strand up into her wool cap. She was bundled against the cold in a pair of breeches, a knee-length tunic, a bulky quilted vest, and the hat.
Besides keeping her warm, all the extra clothing hid her slim waist and curvaceous figure, so that she looked almost as plump as a typical town-living halfling. She was shorter than most adult halflings, though-well under three feet. She might have been mistaken for a human toddler, except