Downshadow by Erik Scott de Bie

Author:Erik Scott de Bie [Bie, Erik Scott de]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Forgotten Realms
ISBN: 9780786951284
Google: tj1DOAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0786951281
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2009-02-15T08:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

As they climbed down from the carriage before the Temple of Beauty and joined the fancifully dressed revelers waiting outside, Kalen admitted to himself that he was not pleased.

But when he looked at it honestly, he had no one to blame but himself. He’d known this was a mistake. How had he let Cellica talk him into this?

“Give me one good reason why you shouldn’t go as Shadowbane,” she said.

When Kalen had given her seven, Cellica frowned. “Well … give me one more.”

In rhe end, Kalen privately suspected she’d used the voice on him.

“Kalen?” Myrin asked at his side, calling him from his thoughts. “Is aught wrong?”

“No,” he said, taking the opportunity once again to admire how the red gown and silver hair suited her. She looked uncomfortably womanly, rather rhan girlish. He hadn’t said anything, of course, but that didn’t stop him thinking it.

Mayhap that was why he hadn’t argued against Cellica more effectively.

Don’t let yourself be distracted, he thought. You can survive the night. It’s just a ball.

He hoped there wouldn’t be dancing. Graceful as he might be, he was a soldier. He knew nothing of the world of courtly balls or dancing.

They entered rhrough the foyer, decorated with images of the Lady Firehair and her worshipers—beautiful and graceful creatures, all. Fountains shaped like embracing lovers trickled wine. Windows of stained glass depicting scenes from Sunite history let in the radiance

of the rising moon. Guests were gathered, laughing and flirting with rose-robed priests and priestesses. This, Kalen could handle. Only a ball, he thought.

“Sorry again,” Myrin said. “About yestereve—I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

Kalen shrugged.

“I thought for sure you’d bring Fayne,” said Myrin. “She’s your … ah?”

“No.” Kalen looked at her blankly. “I know her about as well as I know you.”

“Oh.” Myrin held his arm a little tighter. He could have sworn she added, “Good.”

“Saer and Lady—if you’ll enter the grand courtyard?” A pretty acolyte gestured to a set of open golden doors carved with the visage of the goddess.

“Courtyard?” Kalen murmured, but he couldn’t argue with Myrin’s brilliant smile. She took his arm and pulled him along. At least Myrin was happy.

Fayne was fuming. Kalen had taken that little chiding—not a real woman like herself.

The carriage started to turn onto the most direct thoroughfare, Aureenar Street, but Fayne wasn’t about to lose a single moment of style. Ostentation made her feel better.

“Keep around!” Fayne snapped to the driver. “Up to the Street of Lances!”

The man in his pressed overcoat tipped his feathered hat. “Your coin, milady.”

Since she had the carriage already, she might as well prolong her rich procession.

The carriage broke away from the loose train of vehicles and swerved northeast. Fayne smirked out the window, surveying rhe streets, the jovial taverns, and the folk walking.

Cellica, sitting across from Fayne, fidgeted her thumbs and chewed her lip. Their ride had included a visit to Nurneene’s for masks, and

the halfling wore a plain white eye mask with her gold gown. She’d added a lute to represent a bard Fayne had never heard of, but apparently halflings knew their own history quire well.

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