Windwalker - Elaine Cunningham [27]
"Not Skullport," Ibn said, faintly but firmly.
"What of the raven's warning?" pressed Fyodor.
"Waterdeep is a lawful city," Caladorn repeated. "If the drow does no wrong, she need fear no harm."
Fyodor's jaw firmed. "If you are mistaken, Lord Caladorn, if danger awaits Liriel in your Waterdeep, who but me will fight for her? You? Your 'associates?' "
The nobleman crossed his arms. "You seem very certain that there will be fighting."
"I have reason," Fyodor said flatly. "Can you truly claim that the good folk of your lawful city will smile and wave as a drow passes through? Once the ship reaches port, Liriel and I will stand alone in a hostile place, and you know it well-you, and perhaps also your associates, who, as you say, will be meeting you at the dock with considerable strength."
For a long moment the men faced each other down. Finally Caladorn faltered before the accusation in the Hashemi's glacial stare. "I mean the drow no harm, but perhaps there are others in the city who might," he conceded.
"You will speak for her?" Fyodor pressed.
"I cannot," Caladorn said flatly, "for reasons I do not care to discuss. Do either of you know anyone in Waterdeep? Anyone who can help her pass through unnoticed if possible, and speak for her if needed?"
A memory popped into Liriel's mind: a chance-met encounter with a human male. He'd been clever enough to take her measure without alerting his vapid companions that the "noblewoman in drow costume" was in fact the genuine article.
This man knew a way to Skullport, and he knew of Qiluй. Perhaps he was even one of Eilistraee's followers. During the dragon's hoard battle a few moons past, Liriel had noticed a few humans and even a halfling among the priestess's band. At the very least, surely this man could send Qiluй a message.
"There might be someone," she said slowly. "We met at a costume party in the meadowlands outside of Waterdeep. I was not told his name, but I can describe him. Fair hair, gray eyes. Caladorn's height. He was quick to smile and jest. I saw him playing an instrument with strings on the front, and a wooden back so rounded that the thing looked as if it were about to give birth."
"A lute," Fyodor supplied.
Caladorn considered Liriel's description with a wary expression that suggested he knew the man of whom she spoke and heartily wished he did not. "What colors was he wearing?"
The drow shrugged impatiently; she had yet to understand the human preoccupation with the color of things.
"If you are speaking of the color of his clothes and gems, then the answer would be green," Fyodor supplied. "If you are speaking of heraldry, I noticed that one of his rings appeared to be a heraldic image: a unicorn's head with a raven."
Exasperation flooded Caladorn's face. "Naturally," he muttered. "Should Judith ever wish to find her brother, all she need do is hire a diviner to seek out the nearest impending disaster!"
"You know this man," Liriel observed. "Name him, and his house and birth order-or whatever other thing passes for rank in this law-abiding city of yours."
"Rank and wealth are closely related. Waterdeep is ruled by her merchant families," explained Fyodor.
The nobleman shook his head. "The noble houses do not rule the city," he corrected. "The Thann family is richer than any three gods combined, granted, but Danilo is a younger son. The youngest of six sons, I believe. Danilo is amusing enough, but that's the best can be said of him."
Liriel privately disagreed and adjusted her opinion of Caladorn accordingly. Among the drow, younger siblings concealed their ambitions, and sometimes their abilities as well, until they were ready to take their desired places.
"Can you get word to this Danilo of House Thann?"
Caladorn hesitated. "I can send a messenger once the ship docks."
She shook her head adamantly. "Not good enough. I won't let the ship reach the harbor unless he meets Fyodor and me at the dock, bringing enough muscle and magic to ensure our safe passage through Waterdeep.