The City of Towers: The Dreaming Dark - Book I (35 page)

“I am Alais ir’Lantar,” he said, “and I have the honor of being one of the ambassadors from the nation of Aundair. I hope you will not consider the question rude, but do you possess the Mark of Making?”

Lei considered this for a moment but saw no harm in the question. “I do.”

“Fascinating,” Alais said. “And what brings you to Sharn?”

Lei brushed her fingers across her armor. “I learned the ways of artifice and enchantment as a child….”

“And truly, you are one of the most gifted enchantresses I have ever set eyes upon, magic or no.”

Lei wanted to roll her eyes, but she resisted the urge. She’d been in the field for so long that she’d almost forgotten the ways of the court, the constant interplay of simpering flattery. She smiled and cast her eyes to the floor. “Like many members of my house, I served in the support corps during the war. My home was in Metrol, and—”

“I understand,” Alais said, putting his hand over hers. “Truly, the destruction of Cyre is a tragedy that has affected us all deeply. At Arcanix, we have the greatest mystical minds
of the age studying the disaster, trying to unlock its secrets and ensure that it never happens again. Perhaps you would be interested in a seat on the Arcane Congress?”

The offer took Lei by surprise, but then she caught scent of where he was going. “My lord, that’s most generous of you, but I did not realize that Aundair was providing shelter for the refugees of the war.”

“We are a small country, and we do not have the resources of Breland. Otherwise, I can assure you we would be doing everything in our power to help the scattered people of Cyre. But I have no doubt that the queen would make a special exception in your case, in light of the many difficulties you have overcome—not to mention your loss of status within your own house.”

“Truly, your offer is most kind.” Lei was curious to see how far this would go. “Yet with the destruction of my home, I find myself without the means to travel. Even shelter itself has been a difficulty.”

Alais opened his mouth to speak but was distracted by the arrival of a servant. The young girl whispered in his ear, and he sighed. “I am afraid I must depart, my lady,” he said, pushing back his chair and rising from the table. “But why don’t you stop by the embassy of Aundair in Dragon Towers? I am certain that we could find a way to alleviate your current difficulties.” He smiled.

“I thank you, Lord Alais. Perhaps I shall.”

Alais bowed and departed, and Lailin glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

“I do not trust him, my lady,” said Pierce, who had continued to stand behind her chair throughout the conversation. His eyes followed the departing ambassador.

“Nor do I, Pierce.”

“You wouldn’t want a seat on the Arcane Congress, Lei?” Lailin said. “After our time in Arcanix, it might feel like home.”

“It’s a pretty offer. But who knows what the truth would be when I arrived in Aundair? It didn’t occur to me at first, but I suppose … I am an heir to the Mark of Making, with
knowledge of the techniques of House Cannith. But I am no longer protected by my house. It wouldn’t surprise me if Lord Alais is dreaming about a new Aundarian bloodline carrying the Mark of Making—starting with me.”

“That seems a little far-fetched,” Lailin said. “If it was that simple, why hasn’t it happened before?”

“I didn’t say it was simple—or even that it was possible—just that it’s what I think the ambassador had in mind. People are rarely forced out of the house, and there is always the hope that you might be reinstated. My Uncle Jura was the only excoriate I’ve ever met, and I know he’s hoping to return to the family. So loyalty plays a role. More importantly … I don’t think the barons would allow it to happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that. If the house truly thought an excoriate could present a threat to the purity of the bloodline … I’ve certainly met a few purists who would do whatever they considered necessary to stop it—and that could go a long ways.”

“So your life is in danger, then?” Lailin asked.

“Not if I play by the rules. I’m sure Lord Alais would be happy to protect me—in exchange for my cooperation, of course. But … I still don’t know why I’ve been expelled or if there’s a chance for me to return. And for all that I’d like to smash the barons’ faces, I still believe in the ideals of my family. I’ll wait to see what happens.” She paused, thoughtfully. “Of course, I am sitting at a table with a gifted augur. Perhaps you’d care to give me some advice?”

Lailin rubbed his blue beard. “Well … I don’t have to be an augur to see financial ruin in my future if I start giving my friends free advice.”

“Oh, please,” she said playfully. “At least tell me if I should follow up on this business with Alais. If I become a wealthy lady of Arcanix, I promise to find a place for you there.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, very well.” He reached into a leather pouch and produced a set of flat blue stones. He spread them across the surface of the table. Each stone was a slightly different color, and they formed a mesmerizing mosaic. “So what will happen if you accept Alais’s invitation?”

He stared at the stones, drumming his fingers on the table and hummicwn method for seeing into the mists of time.

After a minute he stopped, looked over at her, and shook his head. “I think you’re right. I can’t tell if the threat comes from Aundair or your own house, but misfortune would certainly follow.”

“I guess we won’t be teaching together at Arcanix, then.”

“That’s all right. I still have my hopes set on Morgrave University. I can see myself teaching at some point in the future, though from the image I see in the stones, I need to lose a little weight first.”

Lei took another bite of the excellent deepscale trout “In that case, attending these parties can’t be helping your cause.”

“Too true. In any case, as long as I have the stones spread out, I may as well make use of them. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Well, actually … I’m looking for a friend of mine, a halfling named Jode. Can you tell me where to find him?”

Pierce spoke up from behind them. “Not to intrude, my lady, but if you have confidence in master Lailin’s talents, should we not ask about Rasial Tann?”

“Right, good thinking. We’re also looking for a man named Rasial Tann. For a friend.”

“Well,” Lailin said. “This is certainly a more complicated question. But let me see what I can do with it. Where are Jode and Rasial, and how can you find them?” He fixed his gaze on the stones and began tapping his fingers again. This time the process took longer, and near the end he closed his eyes for almost a minute.

Finally he stopped humming and tapping and took a deep breath. “It’s difficult to see,” he said. “But I think that your Jode and Rasial are actually together right now. And you will be reunited tonight.”

“Well, good for Jode,” Lei murmured. “I guess he had a good lead after all.”

“It would seem so,” Pierce said. “If this augury is to be trusted.”

“Pardon my companion, Lailin. He’s never had much faith in such things.”

“All is forgiven.” Lailin gathered up the stones. “Shall we see what Lyrandar has to offer in the way of dessert?”

Even as Lei rose, she noticed a group of people walking toward them. The man in the lead was dressed in martial style, four silver lightning bolts adorned his black leather jerkin, and a blue cloak draped his shoulders. His pure white hair and slightly pointed ears hinted at his half-elven blood. As new to Sharn as she was, it was a simple matter for Lei to guess who this was.

She curtsied gracefully as he approached. Pierce moved up to stand by her side. “Lord Dantian, I thank you for your hospitality.” Her words were carefully chosen. She didn’t like his demeanor, so reminding him that she was a guest seemed a wise move.

“You are Lei, formerly of House Cannith?” Dantian’s tone was cold, his blue-green eyes unreadable. “I have that honor.”

“I am afraid that I must ask you to leave my ship.”

Lei spotted Dasei d’Cannith across the room, and the situation became clear. “My lord, I am sorry to hear this. The hospitality of House Lyrandar is legendary. After my long journey, I had hoped to discover the truth to the legends. But”—she sighed—“I suppose that I have.”

Dantian stiffened but did not swerve from his course. “Your presence is causing discomfort to my other guests, and I am afraid that I must put the needs of the group above those of a single guest—especially one in such reduced circumstances.” He gestured, and two armed men in Lyrandar livery stepped forward. “My guards will escort you and your servant to the foredeck. Kadran will see to it that your belongings are returned and that you have transportation to …” He raised an eyebrow. “High Walls, I believe?”

A small crowd had gathered to observe the scene, and a chuckle ran through the masses at this.

“That’s very kind of you, Lord Dantian,” Lei replied. “It’s good to know that House Lyrandar drives its guests home when it drives them away.”

Lailin rose to join her, but Lei pushed him back down. “There’s no need for you to get involved in this,” she said quietly. “Thank you for the help. Pierce, let’s go.”

The guards led them up the stairs and out onto the main deck. The guests who had been talking beneath the rings had left, and the deck was deserted. Lei looked up at the rings of fire and clouds, and for a moment her thoughts were lost in the swirling steam.

“Look out!” Pierce’s voice tore her from her reverie.

The warning came in the nick of time, and she threw herself forward just as she felt the point of the blade touching her back. Spinning around, she saw Pierce facing the two guards who had drawn their blades.

The shorter guard was carrying two daggers. He was the one who’d tried to stab her and failed. He cursed. “Deal with the ‘forged! I’ll finish her.”

Pierce moved forward in a blur of motion. He grabbed the smaller man, pinning his arms with a grip of steel. But before he could crush the breath from his foe, the second guard stepped up. This man was tall and lanky. While he had a short-sword in his right hand, it was the left that he brought to bear, laying his palm on Pierce’s back. The warforged stiffened, let go of his victim, and staggered back a step or two, obviously in great pain. But he’d bought Lei a few moments, and she’d put them to good use. Both guards were wearing chainmail, and as they struggled with Pierce, she’d whispered to the metal of their armor and swords, recalling the heat of the shaping forge. Even as the man with the dagger turned to her, the links of his armor began to glow. He cried out in agony as the searing heat from his daggers raised blisters on his hands. Dropping the weapons, he tore at his armor, trying to tear free before his clothes caught fire.

The other guard had escaped the effects of the enchantment, but he had problems of his own. Pierce was back on his feet, and for all that he was unarmed, his fists were stone and steel. Even as the lanky man made a quick thrust at Pierce, the warforged
knocked the blade aside and landed a powerful blow on his jaw. Blood spattered across the deck and the man staggered back.

Lei stepped up to join Pierce, ready to strike. But when their opponent rose to his feet, he turned away and raced for the railing. Pierce charged after him, but too late. The scrawny guard leaped the rail in a single bound and went tumbling over the edge.

Even as Pierce peered over the edge, more Lyrandar guardsmen were running toward them. Within seconds, a half-dozen swordsmen and a pair of crossbowmen had surrounded them.

“Don’t move!” the sergeant cried, his face livid.

Lei just stood, her hands facing out, as the chief servant came running from the foredeck. The smell of burned flesh filled the air. The dagger-wielding guard had succumbed to the terrible heat and was either unconscious or dead.

“What is going on?” the chief servant cried.

“You tell me,” Lei said coolly. “This man and his companion just tried to kill me. If that’s what you have planned for me, then let’s get it over quickly.”

The burned man was lying face down, and the chief servant turned the body over. Lei was surprised. His features were nothing like the man who had attacked her. The servant studied the corpse for a moment.

“Sergeant, do you know who this man is?”

“No. Never saw him before.”

The chief servant looked back at Lei, and his expression was grim. “You have the apologies of the house, my lady, and I assure you that we will look into this matter immediately.”

“If you’d like my assistance, I—”

“You and your servant are to leave immediately. A skycoach is waiting at the foredeck, along with your belongings.”

“But—”

“This is a matter for the house. You must leave. Now.” The guards raised their weapons again, ready to act if ordered. It was clear she had no friends here. “Very well.”