Erik de Bie: Downshadow

It was pointless to argue. Kalen did not don the ring, but laced it into the sleeve over his bare hand, so he could use it at a heartbeat's notice.

"I am sorry for this," he said. "I love you both well, and I never meant to hurt you." He looked especially at Araezra. "I mean… hurt the Guard."

Talanna laughed. "Surely you jest! Your exile from the city will be the cheeriest bit of news the Guard's had in ages." She winked at Araezra. "It means some certain lass has become free game once again."

Red in the face, Araezra looked ready to strangle Talanna.

"What are you talking about?" Kalen asked.

"Are you that dull?" Talanna asked. "For months, Rayse has been free of suitors because everyone thought that you two-"

Araezra's cheeks were burning. "Shouldn't you be going, Kalen?"

He smiled weakly then said, "I have aught to do, first."

"Does this have to do with Cellica?" Araezra asked gently. "If so, let the Watch-"

"I can't," he said. "I'm sorry-I can't tell you. I must do it alone."

Araezra sighed. "You always seem to have to be alone," she whispered.

Kalen donned his helm once more and secured it in place. "Araezra-I'm sorry."

"I know," Araezra said. "Just-one thing."

He turned toward her, thankful for the helm that hid his anxious expression. "Aye?"

"In the Room of Records," she said. "When Rath was holding me prisoner, and you came in. You… you did what you did, broke your vow, to protect me, didn't you?"

Kalen didn't trust his tongue, so he just nodded.

She stepped forward, snaked her arms about his neck, and pressed her lips to his cold, shining helm. "Thank you," she murmured.

He smiled inside his steel mask.

Then she slapped him lightly, causing his helmet to vibrate and his ears to ring. "I don't need you making decisions about what is best for me," Araezra said. "I can make those myself."

"Yes, Araezra."

"Rayse" she corrected.

Talanna rolled her eyes. "No wonder you two didn't last."

Araezra reversed Vindicator and handed it to him. As she did, her hand lingered on his. She gazed into his eyes, and he into hers. He knew she wanted to say much, but both of them knew she could not say it.

"I will miss you, Vigilant Dren," she finally said.

"And I you," he said, "Rayse."

She smiled widely, as though he'd paid her the finest compliment in Waterdeep.

"Now, go do what you must," she said. She straightened and her face turned stony. "Farewell, and remember-begone by the morrow. You have one day."

Talanna winked at him. "One day," she repeated. "Then I get to chase you down."

Kalen nodded, turned, and leaped out the window. He hit the roof of the building across the alley, rolled to his feet, and broke into a run.

He would need only one night.

THIHTY-FOnn

Rath meditated, waiting for nightfall. Fayne had sworn Shadowbane would get the note, and that he would be punctual. The woman had subsequently fled-while Rath had gone in search of food for them-but no matter. The human was the more important, and Fayne's absence meant one less distracrion.

He'd drunk three bottles of brandy the night of the revel, when the elf woman had scarred him. He'd paid for all the healing he could afford, but the marks were still there. He'd drunk until he couldn't see them in the mirror anymore. And he'd paid for whores who wouldn't wince to see his face. The next morning, his employer had come upon him as he lay aching from liquor and burns and women.

Now, he would wait for the next move in this game. And he would be sober.

He breathed in and out, in time with the ticking. He'd listened to the clock for a long while-it helped him to focus and align his breathing with the world around him. It was off, he thought, but only slightly. Craftsmen would be required to fix the clock soon-on the morrow, perhaps. After this business was concluded.

The girl fidgeted again, distracting him.

He'd brought her food. He'd even ungagged her long enough to pour soup down her throat-slowly, so as not to choke her. He hadn't unbound her wrists-no need. He'd helped with her roilet so that he didn't have to untie her. She'd nearly died of embarrassment, but he'd just stared at her with the same bored expression until she yielded. There was nothing erotic about it.

Even as he meditated, he was aware of her staring at the back of his head. What a curious creature. At least her fear kept her quiescent enough.

Finally, when he found his thoughts settling too much on her, he opened his eyes and turned his head. She quickly looked away, but he knew she'd been staring at him.

He sighed. Feeling the lightness in his ready joints, he rose and crossed to her. "I will not harm you, girl," he said. "I have not been paid to slay you. If you are hurt, it will be accidental and as a consequence of your own actions." He frowned. "Understand?"

She nodded. From the way she flinched when he turned his head toward her, he could tell the mangled half of his face frightened her. That brought a twinge of anger, but he suppressed it.

"I will remove this," Rath said, touching the gag in her mouth. "But you must promise you will not scream or attempt any magic. There will be consequences. Yes?"

She nodded, and her eyes looked wet.

The dwarf sighed, then pulled the gag out of her mouth. She gasped and coughed but made no loud sounds. This was good.

She looked at him, lip trembling. "What-what are you going to do with me?"

Rath frowned. "Just hold you here for a time. Nothing more."

"Are you-are you going to…?" Myrin trembled and edged a little away.

"Humans." Rath rolled his eyes. "I would swear by any god you could name that you are the most despicable, insecure, bastard blood in the world, but I know the ways of my own kind and find them worse." He shrugged. "You have no dishonor to fear from me."

"Why not-" Myrin swallowed hard. "Why not unbind me? Am I a threat to you?"

"No," he said, perhaps faster than he should have.

She pursed her lips. "You fear me?"

"I fear nothing," Rath said. "I have nothing to fear from you."

"Prove it." Myrin puffed herself up as big as she could in her frail body. "Unbind my hands. If you have nothing to fear from me."

"Hmm." Rath couldn't argue with her logic. "Why do you want them unbound? You cannot escape."

"Uh." Her eyes widened. "My wrists hurt."

Rath said nothing, only reached around to do as she asked. She hadn't lied: the ropes had left red welts on her wrisrs. He pulled away and let her rub her skin.

"There," said Rath. "Satisfied?"

"Yes." Myrin brought a wand of pale wood from behind her back and rhrust it under his chint. Rath felt sparks hissing out of it. "Hmm," the dwarf said.

Myrin stared ar him, her eyes very wide. She breathed heavily.

"You should do it," Rath said. "I have slain many-men and women both. And children."

Myrin breathed harder and harder. Rath could feel her heart racing, see the blood thudding through her veins on her forehead.

"Do ir," Rath teased.

The girl inhaled sharply.

Then he slapped the wand away and swatted her head at the temple with his open hand, as one might stun a rabbit. She collapsed to the floor limply. Lightning crackled and died.

"Wizards," he murmured, rolling his eyes.

On nights when Selune hid behind a veil of angry clouds, the streets of Waterdeep became much like those of Downshadow below. Moon shadows deepened and buildings loomed. Even the drunk and foolish had the sense to lock their doors against unseen frights. Few but the dead walked such nights. Even Castle Ward, protected by the Watch and the Blackstaff, was risky after dark-particularly on a night like this.

But Waterdeep's darkest nights knew something Downshadow never could: rain.