Windwalker - Elaine Cunningham [31]
"No wonder Caladorn went to sea," Laerel murmured. "Nothing better to do."
"A good lad, Caladorn is, with a sharp eye and a sense of responsibility that you'd do well to emulate," Khelben scolded.
"They also credit Caladorn as the chief arbiter of style," Danilo said with mock gravity. "I expect that nautical attire will be all the rage this season."
Khelben shot a glare at the young man. "In addition to the message before you, Caladorn sent word of Clipper's fate. You may recall that name as one of the Waterdhavian ships gone missing this season. It was set adrift as a ghost ship, with barrels aboard containing the bodies of over a dozen sea elves preserved in brine."
The young man's face darkened. "The Northmen are no friends to the fair folk, but I hadn't realized matters were in such dismal state."
"Northmen and elves," Khelben repeated. "When are matters ever so simple as that?"
"Until you get hold of them?" his nephew suggested helpfully.
"Do you want to hear this, or not?"
Danilo lifted one hand and traced a circular flourish that indicated the archmage should go on.
"According to the Harple thesis on Underdark cultures, the destruction of the surface elves is a guiding principle of drow life, second only to the domination of the underground realms."
Danilo pushed away from the wall. "You believe that our pretty little wizard is joining forces with the Northmen to this end? That she was a partner in the deaths of those sea elves?"
"Truly? No. I don't see the First Axes of Ruathym making more than a passing alliance with any elf, of any color, for any reason. As an old Northman saying advises, If you use a wolf to hunt a wolf, keep two arrows near to hand."
"Charming sentiment, catchy rhythm. I must set that to music straightaway," Danilo murmured. "Assuming there is no such alliance, what, in your opinion, is she about?"
"Therein lays the problem," grumbled Khelben. "I have no idea what motivates the female."
A feminine chuckle informed the men that they were no longer alone. Laerel Silverhand leaned against the doorpost, her arms crossed and her eyes bright with amusement.
The archmage's lady, herself a mage of legendary power, was fully as tall as her lord. Though the day was young, she was clad in a scant, silvery dancing gown the precise hue of her hair, which spilled in lustrous waves down to her knees.
"Are we discussing females in general, or did you have a particular one in mind?" she inquired.
"I was speaking of the drow."
Something in Khelben's voice stole the humor from Laerel's face. "If you are speaking of my sister Qiluй-again, I might add- you might wish to amend your tone."
"Let's not plow this furrow again," the wizard said testily.
"Does this mean you have no interest in my latest family visit?"
Khelben's face turned even more somber. "You've been to Skull-port again?"
"Yes, I've only just returned. Qiluй is very concerned about her young friend. Someone is looking for Liriel, someone capable of casting a very large net. My sister intends to help Liriel safely to her destination."
"There you go, Uncle," Danilo broke in. "Problem solved."
"It is my observation," the archmage said darkly, "that Qiluй solves fewer problems than she creates. She might be Mystra's own, but she is drow to the core: impulsive, temperamental, vengeful, and illogical."
"She speaks well of you, too," Laerel said with exaggerated sweetness.
Khelben refused to be baited. "Tell me all."
The lady mage paused for a long-suffering sigh. "Qiluй said that inquiries have been made, bribes paid. She believes the search for Liriel has spread to Waterdeep. Have you been listening to the tavern songs, Dan?"
"Yes, but I don't understand all I hear," he admitted. "There appears to be a very impressive bounty on someone named Raven. I couldn't make out more than that."
"That's enough