Sapphire Crescent by Reid Thomas M

Author:Reid, Thomas M. [Reid, Thomas M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786930272
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2003-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

“It’s time, sir,” Bartimus said, nodding toward Efusio’s in the center of the plaza. “The others are ready and waiting.”

Grozier nodded and said, “Good.”

He stepped down out of the carriage and crossed the cobblestone lane and headed toward the cafe, which faced the plaza and had a large open patio in the front. A series of small tables were arranged on the patio, which butted right up to the street, and people could gather to enjoy a strong cup of Tashalaran coffee—or perhaps a good ale imported from afar, such as Mulhorandi dark—and a smoke, for Efusio offered a wonderful variety of balaumo to be put into a pipe, including numerous fruit-infused blends, such as cherry, apricot, and apple. Grozier felt in his pocket for his long-stemmed pipe and smiled.

The head of House Talricci picked a table to one side of the patio, but he put his back to the street and settled into the chair and relaxed. It wasn’t long before a plump serving girl with olive skin and lustrous black hair approached.

“Sir?” was all she said, and Grozier had to stop for a moment to admire her very black eyes.

The man finally shook himself back to the matter at hand and said, “Just a cup of Tethyrian tea and some balaumo. Uh, peach and grapewood, if you have it.”

“Yes, sir,” the serving girl replied and scurried away.

Grozier stretched his legs out under the table and waited, letting the mid-morning breeze ruffle his hair. The warm dampness of the day before was gone, replaced by a cooler, dryer bit of weather. The last vestiges of spring still clung to the Reach, appearing on occasion.

The girl brought Grozier his tea and a small silver bowl filled with the pipeweed for which he’d asked. He pressed a gold dinar into her hand and waved her away, then he began stuffing his pipe enthusiastically. It had been a couple of days since he’d enjoyed a good smoke.

Are we all linked? came a voice in Grozier’s head. It was Bartimus.

Yes, Grozier responded. Am I the last?

You are, came a second voice, belonging to one of the two Houses in the alliance. We are all linked now. So, why the urgency? Why couldn’t this wait?The voice held a hint of irritation, but Grozier ignored it.

The mercenary won’t go away, he thought, sending his own irritation through the mental connection to the others. He is persistent, and the little trap Bartimus and I laid for him last night didn’t work. I need other ideas.

I think you’re devoting much too much time to him, a third voice chimed in, that of the individual of the

third House. He will go away soon enough, when his company is called to duty again. The Grand Trabbar will see to that.

I don’t think you understand, Grozier insisted. He is getting very close to finding out who was behind the incident in the alley, and I think he means to come after us, regardless of the revelations. He has his uncle involved, now.

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