Part 40 (1/2)
Elminster gave her a baleful glare.
”Tarry a moment,” she whispered, sliding past him like a chill wind.
A few moments later she returned, leading a bewildered, half-dressed Raereene-with a scared-looking Kreane right behind them.
”Teleport this man into the forehall of Stormserpent Towers,” the Ghost Regent commanded crisply. ”Just as carefully as you know how.”
Raereene frowned. ”Wh-”
”Wizards of war no longer obey royal commands?” Alusair hissed, her eyes suddenly two cold flames.
”Or mine?” quavered a thin voice from the floor below.
Raereene looked down-and recoiled.
”What ails you?” the dark spiderlike thing in front of her feet demanded. ”Haven't you ever seen a Royal Magician before?”
Silently Whelandrin showed a tall, dark, and buxom woman into Marlin Stormserpent's private chambers. She wore a nightcloak over high boots and a silken gown, and- Marlin frowned. There was a taller, darker, cloaked and cowled figure right behind her, who'd just slipped something to Whelandrin; Marlin caught a glimpse of gleaming gold before his trusty was gone.
”Who are you?” he demanded, waving the girl aside with one hand while drawing his sword with the other and sweeping it up to menace his mysterious visitor.
Who threw back the cowl to reveal a sardonically smiling face. It belonged to Lord Arclath Delcastle, who was suddenly taking a swift sidestep to put a solid stone wall at his back.
”Well met,” he greeted Marlin pleasantly. ”You look much much more handsome here, in proper light, than skulking around in shadows by night in the royal palace.” more handsome here, in proper light, than skulking around in shadows by night in the royal palace.”
Stormserpent stiffened. ”What're you talking about?”
”I speak of a certain chalice,” Arclath murmured. ”Sadly missing from its longtime hiding place. Sadly missed by some.”
”War wizards?”
”Ah, I knew knew Marlin Stormserpent wasn't slow-witted. I was certain he'd grasp at once what I was speaking of, even at such an hour.” Marlin Stormserpent wasn't slow-witted. I was certain he'd grasp at once what I was speaking of, even at such an hour.”
”What're you doing here?” Marlin snapped, hefting his sword meaningfully as he took a step forward.
Arclath waved an airily dismissive hand. ”Merely seeking an answer or two, not a duel. Which is why I came protected by magic that will end any duel before it begins. So, no swordplay, just a few words between us, and I'll leave you to your pleasure.”
He glanced at the playpretty, who was standing to one side listening to them rather fearfully.
”A few carefully carefully chosen words, on my part,” Arclath hinted. chosen words, on my part,” Arclath hinted.
”Well?” Marlin asked curtly.
”Why? Why all the secret meetings, the hunts for hand axes, the men in flames?”
”I...I seek a better Cormyr. I deserve deserve a better Cormyr.” a better Cormyr.”
Arclath nodded. ”As do I. Unfortunately for friendly accord between us now, that does not mean we agree on what 'better' is. You desire a Cormyr that is better for you for you. Yet you lack the vision-and honesty-to even admit this.”
Marlin Stormserpent flourished his sword, snarling an insult.
Arclath sighed. ”Ah, the besetting fault of the n.o.bility-having temper tantrums whenever someone disagrees with them. Such Such s.h.i.+ning leaders.h.i.+p for the realm.” s.h.i.+ning leaders.h.i.+p for the realm.”
”And you think House Delcastle is better than House Stormserpent, I suppose?” Marlin sneered.
”I think nothing of the sort. I know know I'm a wastrel, and freely admit it. Would such candor cost you so much? Oh, wait, I was forgetting. Candor is your greatest foe, given the laws of the realm and the presence of war wizards in it.” I'm a wastrel, and freely admit it. Would such candor cost you so much? Oh, wait, I was forgetting. Candor is your greatest foe, given the laws of the realm and the presence of war wizards in it.”
”How did you learn so much?” Marlin hissed.
Arclath regarded his fingertips idly and told them, ”In conspiracies, someone always talks.”
”Do you mind,” Marlin asked coldly, ”leaving my home home, so I can enjoy my hired company?”
”Not at all,” Arclath replied with a smile. ”I have the answers I came for. You need not fear the dawn on my account.”
”Good,” Marlin snapped, ringing the bell for Whelandrin.
Arclath did not wait to be escorted. When the trusty appeared, Marlin snarled, ”Make very very sure the man you brought in is gone from our house and grounds, and the gates locked against him and all others. Be sure the man you brought in is gone from our house and grounds, and the gates locked against him and all others. Be swift.” swift.”
Whelandrin bowed and hastened away, and Marlin shot a look at the chalice and blade, wondering if he should send his slayers after Arclath.
No. Not with the la.s.s there; no one must see him calling them forth.
With a shrug he turned to her charms, pouring his anger into being brutal to her. ”Strip!” he ordered harshly.
She promptly doffed cloak and gown and started on her boots, but he grabbed her elbow in an iron-hard grip and snapped, ”Leave them on, and get you to yon bed!”
She gasped in pain but managed to murmur, ”My lord lord, be gentler!”
By way of reply he backhanded her across her chest with all his strength and snarled, ”Get on that bed! Think of twenty golden lions, and keep your mouth shut.”
”Yes, Lord,” she whimpered, hurrying to obey.
”A moment, lad,” an unfamiliar man's voice said sharply from the far end of the room.
Marlin spun around. ”Who-”