Songs & Swords 1 by Cunningham Elaine

Author:Cunningham, Elaine [Cunningham, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786916603
Published: 1991-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Loene was curled with catlike coziness amid the silken pillows of her couch, her slippered feet tucked beneath her. At the moment, she looked as content as Arilyn had ever seen her. “An interesting tale,” said Loene.

“Worth the price of that sherry?” Arilyn asked dryly, glancing at the half-empty decanter on the table that sat between Loene’s couch and the more spartan chair she herself had chosen. The half-elf’s first glass, which was almost untasted, rested in her hands. The rest of the sherry had been consumed by her host, who was renowned for her ability to hold the stuff.

“And then some,” the woman said, raising her fourth goblet for a toast. “Here’s to a happy ending.”

“Hear, hear,” Arilyn agreed, her face turning serious at the thought of what lay before her.

Graves chose that moment to poke his head through the door of the study. “There will be two for breakfast, madame?” Loene smiled invitingly at Arilyn. “Will you stay? Graves makes the best scones in Waterdeep, you know.”

Arilyn was reluctant to delay her search longer, but she needed to eat sometime. “Thank you, yes, but I must leave soon.”

“I understand.” Loene turned to the servant. “There will be three, then, unless our other guest prefers a tray.”

The servant’s eyebrows rose. “Our other guest has already departed.”

“What?” Arilyn rose slowly to her feet. “Danilo’s gone? Are you sure?”

“Oh, yes,” Graves said. He held up a length of rope. “By the window, no less,” he muttered, shaking his head in self-recrimination. “I let the peacock strut right past me.”

“The fool,” Arilyn blazed, slamming her fist onto the serving table as she stalked from the room. Loene lunged to save the wobbling sherry decanter, then she followed Arilyn into the hall, clutching the cherished spirits to her as she went.

“Let him go.” Loene laid a restraining hand on Arilyn’s arm.

The half-elf shook her off. “He’s not strong enough to travel.”

The woman snorted. “Don’t believe it for a minute. That young man was perfectly normal—whatever that may mean in his case.”

Arilyn went very still. “I don’t understand.”

Loene’s eyes were compassionate. “My dear, he was fine last night. He did not need that potion.”

“How do you know?”

“You really need to ask?” Loene asked. “Unlike you, I have no aversion to using poisons when the occasion demands. I know what’s out there, I know the effects and the signs.”

“You gave him an antidote,” Arilyn pointed out. “Why?

“Apricot brandy. I suspected that your friend wasn’t really poisoned, and his rapid recovery proved me right.”

“What about that brand?”

“Well, all right,” Loene conceded. “Perhaps he did get just a touch of some poison when he was branded, but the effects had certainly faded before he got here. You were too concerned to notice.”

Arilyn nodded slowly. It made perfect sense. Danilo was most anxious to reach safety. Having done so, what better way to ensure his continued safety than to sneak away, leaving her and the assassin far behind? Arilyn couldn’t blame him, especially after the attack on his life.

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