Cold Steel and Secrets: A Neverwinter Novella, Part I by Rosemary Jones

Author:Rosemary Jones
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Epic, Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2011-10-17T23:00:00+00:00

It took Rucas Sarfael four days to attain an invitation from Elyne to rob one of General Sabine’s armories.

“We must assume that this is a test,” Dhafiyand said.

“Oh, most certainly, it is a test, but it was designed earlier for the rest of the brats. She’s not happy about it,” Sarfael said as he paced back and forth in the old man’s room. “Elyne is forbidden to accompany us. But she and other Nashers will meet us when the task is done to take charge of whatever we carry away.”

“And how do you know she is unhappy about this?”

“Montimort told me that she has put off this raid three times already. And been reprimanded for the delay. So I went to the lady and told her that I knew a certain cache of weapons that would be easy to steal—better than easy, one that would pose little risk for her students. You will find me such a thing, I assume?”

Dhafiyand waved one ink-stained hand in assurance. “It can be arranged without much difficulty. The question is whether or not we inform the general that she must sacrifice a few weapons for our purposes. On the whole, I think it better to leave her in the dark and make our own arrangements.”

“As you wish. It makes no matter to me.”

“What else have you learned?”

“Very little of use to you.” Sarfael continued his perambulation around the room, stopping to admire a miniature painting. Framed in silver and pearls, it showed a delicate young moon elf peering out at the world. Sarfael wondered who the lady was and how her portrait came to grace the spymaster’s collection of trinkets. Dhafiyand had a crow’s propensity of picking up shiny little treasures to line his nest.

“They are brats, these so-called Nashers, young idiots for the most part. Most of Elyne’s students are still barely out of their teens,” he said to Dhafiyand. “Their foolish parents stuffed their heads with stories of a Neverwinter that is no more.”

“But they talk of sedition?”

“They daydream, no more than that. Gnash their teeth about Neverember as you said and take that for a nickname to make themselves sound fierce. Children’s games, I tell you.” Having fully circled the room, Sarfael leaned his broad shoulders against the mantel and crossed his arms. “Idle chatter about reclaiming the throne and finding a royal heir to unite the ancient families and bring back the splendors of the past fills their days. Truly, if they, and their teacher, are the biggest threat Lord Neverember faces, then we should look for sport elsewhere. Red Wizards, perhaps?”

Dhafiyand ignored the last remark. “Have you heard any talk of a crown?”

“A crown?” Sarfael frowned. “Not at all. Why do you ask?”

“Rumors, most likely nothing more than hot air, but I would know where they started.”

“If I hear of such a thing, I will add it to my report.”

“Do so. But they mean to overthrow Lord Neverember?”

“Oh, in the vaguest possible way. Press them about it, and none have any plans.

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