Rosemary Jones: City of the Dead

"But what about the old ladies?" Sophraea asked Lord Adarbrent. "The ones that Stunk cheated out of their homes?"

"For those still living. Lady Ruellyn is making reparations," said Lord Adarbrent. "After all, she is a lady and'not a merchant."

"I'm still surprised that we didn't have the City Watch or the Blackstaff here, asking questions," Sophraea said.

"My influence is not inconsiderable," returned Lord Adarbrent. "And I was able to persuade certain people that the fewer questions asked the better. After all, the Carvers are known to be a reputable family who provide an invaluable service to Waterdeep."

In short, thought Gustin, the Carvers actually do know where the bodies are buried and, more importantly, will make sure in the future that the finest of Waterdeep will continue to be buried exacdy as they wish.

Lord Adarbrent pulled a stiff piece of parchment out of his pocket.

"I believe that you wanted this," he said, presenting it to Sophraea.

With wide eyes, she unfolded the letter of recommendation.

"Oh," she said. "How did you know? I never remembered to ask you for this."

"Captain Volponia mentioned your ambitions to join the sartorial trade. I must say," he continued, "I agree with her that it seems a rather tame outlet for your talents."

"Volponia told you!" Sophraea exclaimed. "When?"

"I called on her last night," said Lord Adarbrent. "In a more conventional manner than my previous visit."

"Really?"

A look of amusement softened the old man's face. "Although she claims a few more years than myself," he said, "we remember the same Waterdeep. I enjoyed our conversation very much and will call again."

With a bow to Astute and a promise to return in a few days, Lord Adarbrent took his leave.

Sophraea turned the letter oyer in her hand.

"So you'll leave here for that fine dressmaker's in the Castle Ward?" said Gustin. "All billowing lace, pretty silks, and nothing but the chatter of ladies from morn until night."

"It sounds a little dull, doesn't it?" said Sophraea. "Sewing seams all day, I mean. And I would miss my family."

"So what are you going to do?" asked Gustin with some trepidation and a little anticipation in his voice.

"Do you have your guidebook with you?" she countered.

He patted his pocket. "Always," he said. "I might go for a walk later. There's still so much I haven't seen in Waterdeep: the Blackstaff s Tower, CymbriFs Walk, and, really, most of the famous monuments inside the City of the Dead. We never did go look at those!"

Sophraea held up her wicker basket. She had packed it with a lunch for two. "Let's take a look at the monuments today," she suggested. He hadn't asked her for a second kiss, not for a whole day, but with more than a litde anticipation and no trepidation at all, Sophraea thought he might that afternoon.

Deciding one's whole life in a moment was not necessary, she realized as she crumpled up Lord Adarbrent's letter of recommendation and stuffed it in the bottom of her basket. There was time enough for dozens of adventures, just as Volponia always said, and a girl didn't have to live in a dress shop or go outside the walls of Waterdeep to find them.

But, because she was always ruthlessly honest with herself or tried to be, Sophraea did admit to herself that adventures in the company of a certain brown-haired, green-eyed, lanky wizard might be more exciting than anything Volponia ever encountered on her old pirate ship. She'd simply have to let the future happen to find out.

Just then, she continued out loud, "Fish is worried that something odd happened in the portal that they' use on the south end. He thinks somebody has been sneaking into that tomb. Maybe a graverobber. I said we could go and take a look."

Gustin was still protesting that he wanted to see the sights, not more corpses and ghosts, as he followed her to the Dead End gate. But he did follow her and Sophraea noticed that the emerald gleam of his eyes was noticeably brighter under those lashes that were ridiculously long for a man.

"Stop complaining," said Sophraea, unlatching the wrought iron gate. It swung open with a friendly creak, her uncles having decided to forge the squeak back into the gate hinges. She started down the moss-covered steps into the City of the Dead. "You know that as long as you are with me, you won't get lost. Besides, Volponia gave me another ring from her jewel box. She's almost certain that the spell in this one will work."