Thornhold - Elaine Cunningham [122]
“Uh-huh,” the watch captain said, skepticism deeply etched on his bearded face. “What was her name?”
Algorind was utterly at a loss. “I do not know,” he had to admit.
The captain sniffed. “Thought as much. Take him in. We’ll let the magisters deal with this one.”
This was utterly beyond Algorind’s comprehension. “I cannot go with you.”
“You don’t have much of a choice. You can come easy, or we’ll take you in trussed and hooded. You choose.”
“I will come with you,” Algorind said, bowing his head in defeat. “Will you grant me one kindness, though? Carry word to the Halls of Justice, and tell them of my fate?”
“There are messengers in the castle. They’ll get around to your cell sooner or later, and you can send word to whomever you like. Now, move.”
* * * * *
Bronwyn hurried back to her shop, cutting through the back ways. As she came through Howling Cat Court, it seemed to her that one of the low-rent courtesans who strutted along the far walk sent her a knowing smile. The woman looked vaguely familiar and harmless enough, so Bronwyn lifted a hand in friendly response as she strode past.
She found Alice in a fit, wringing her tiny hands and pacing the floors with enough fervor to raise a cloud of dust. Bronwyn’s first thought was for Cara. She pounced on the gnome, seizing her shoulders and turning her so that they faced each other. “Where is she?”
“Gone!” mourned Alice, confirming Bronwyn’s worse suspicions.
Bronwyn ran a hand over her forehead and back, smoothing her hair in a gesture of pure frustration. “Did you see anything?”
“A young man came looking for you. A paladin, I think. He wore a blue and white tabard and carried a broadsword. Fle was young-no more than twenty-but taller than most men. Pale yellow hair, curly. He left his horse at the door.”
Bronwyn had a very bad feeling about this. “A big horse? White?”
“I believe so. I didn’t get more than a glance. Why?”
“Long story,” Bronwyn mumbled. Ebenezer had told her of his rescue by a man who could turn undead to dust. That would make the man a priest-or a paladin. The man who came looking for her, who might have taken Cara, was near Thornhold. What he knew, what he wanted, she could guess all too well.
At that moment the shop bell tinkled, startling them both. Woman and gnome jumped and whirled to face the door. In it stood Danilo Thann, a broad smile in his face and a small, half-elf girl in his arms.
“Cara!” Bronwyn cried. She rushed forward to reclaim the girl, gave her a quick hug, then she set her down and turned her attention to the man. “Danilo, what happened? Where did you find her?”
“Actually, I did not. Cara was brought to me by some Harpers who happened upon her.”
Bronwyn’s face clouded. “Still watching me?”
“Strictly speaking, no. We’ve been keeping an eye out for the paladins, and one of them happened by your shop.”
“I should thank you, then,” she said softly, looking at the child. Cara was happily chatting with Alice, telling her all about the ginger cat that she’d almost caught, and wouldn’t it make a fine pet?
Bronwyn sighed. “I promised I would find her father, but I don’t know if I can keep her safe until then.”
She spoke softly, but the girl looked up. “I will be safe, Bronwyn. Look at this. Come to me, Shopscat!”
Before the raven could respond to the summons, the child disappeared. Bronwyn blinked rapidly, as if she could conjure the girl by clearing her vision. There was nothing, save for a childish giggle outside the front door. Before Bronwyn could move, Cara was back, just as abruptly as she left.
“Look!” she said proudly, showing Bronwyn the three bright gems in her hand. “A ruby, a blue topaz, and a… citrine?” she asked, looking up at Danilo for corroboration.
He nodded, his eyes bright with the child’s reflected pleasure. “That’s right. You remember well.”
“Gemjump,” Bronwyn murmured, remembering tales she’d heard of stones that enabled the holder