Troy Denning: The Siege

"Let's finish this without bloodshed, shall we?" He turned back to Ruha and asked, "What do you want with Malik?"

"To take him to Twilight Hall to answer for his crimes." "Which are?"

"More murders than I can count, but including that of Rinda and Gwydion, guardians of the evil Cyrinishad, and the theft of that same foul book," Ruha said. "If the Shadovar truly wish to be the good allies to the nations of Faerыn that they claim, you will release me and turn over this miscreant."

"I assure you, our desire is sincere," Hadrhune said, "but I was not aware that the Harpers controlled so many nations."

"We control none," Ruha admitted, "and influence many."

"A distinction we Shadovar understand as well," Hadrhune said, smiling politely. Unlike the grins of the princes and most shadow lords, his did not reveal a mouthful of ceremonial fangs. "We also know there are two sides to every argument. Galaeron, what say you? How would you advise the Most High in this matter?"

Galaeron considered Hadrhune, recalling his distaste for the little man, then said, "I know what you'd like to hear." "Is that so?" Hadrhune cocked his brow. "Tell me." "Do you think I'm that far into my shadow?" Vala grabbed his arm. "Galaeron…"

"I know what's right," he said, shaking her off. "I won't betray a loyal companion for access to the palace."

"Galaeron, Hadrhune's not asking you to betray anyone," Vala said.

"I am only asking for the truth," Hadrhune said. "If you cannot see that, you are in the grasp of your shadow." Leaving Galaeron to fume, Hadrhune turned and craned his neck up at Aris. "What would you tell the Most High, my friend?"

Kneeling beside the fountain, the giant still loomed over the Shadovar by half-again his height. "It's true that Malik serves an evil god," Aris said, "but I am lifedebted to him and honor bound to stand with him against any foe." Hadrhune looked to Vala. "And you?" "I wouldn't be here, were it not for him."

Galaeron still found it difficult to believe that Hadrhune was truly interested in his opinion, but he had no choice except to trust Vala's judgment over his own. He did not feel as though he was in the grasp of his shadow, but neither had he at the Splicing-and he had just cast a spell. "Nor would I," Galaeron agreed. "He's saved us all."

"For his own reasons," Ruha interjected. "He's been playing you for fools-just as the Shadovar are now."

Hadrhune's eyes flashed. "You will not help your case by trying to poison the opinions of our guests against us, Harper."

"The truth is not poison." Though Ruha spoke to Hadrhune, she was looking at Galaeron. "You're from Evereska, are you not Galaeron?" "What if he is?" Vala demanded.

Ruha's eyes narrowed. "How long has it been since you have been outside this city's murk?"

Galaeron frowned, wondering what the witch was trying to accomplish. "Not that it's any business of yours, but more than a tenday." Even Ruha's heavy veil could not hide her smirk. "What?" Galaeron demanded. The witch looked at Hadrhune.

He glared amber flames at her, then turned to Galaeron and said, "The enclave is moving." "Moving?" Galaeron echoed. "It's always moving."

"Deeper into the desert," Hadrhune clarified. "Away from Evereska. That's why-"

"Traitors!" Galaeron lunged for the seneschal but went down heavily, Vala on his back. "You promised!"

"And we will keep our promise," Hadrhune said. "The shadowshell has cut the phaerimm off from the Weave. Eventually, they will deplete the magic remaining to them-but it will take time, Galaeron, many months. You know better than anyone that we dare not attack until they have depleted their powers and begun to starve, until they grow too feeble to defend themselves."

"So, you are only abandoning Evereska for a little while?" Ruha asked, her voice surprisingly cynical. "Oh yes, that makes a great deal of sense."

Hadrhune kneeled in front of Galaeron, who was not struggling only because he knew how easily Vala could choke him unconscious with the arm already around his throat.

"We are not abandoning Evereska," Hadrhune said, "but the situation is stable now, and we must think of our own needs as well."

"When were you going to tell me?" Galaeron demanded. Hadrhune hesitated and looked away. "It's a fair question," Vala said.

Hadrhune let out a weary sigh. "As you wish," he said. "The Most High thought-"

That was when Malik appeared behind the seneschal, clambering out of a circle of shadow like a cat out of a well. He let out a bloodcurdling scream and dashed half a dozen steps across the courtyard before running into Aris's palm and stopping to see where he was.

Turban half undone, Malik whirled on Hadrhune and said, "If you knew what I had for a heart, you would not think that funny-not at all." Seeming to forget all about Ruha, Malik started toward the seneschal, wagging his finger. "It is a good thing for you that I did not die of fright in there, or the One would surely visit on you a hell a thousand times worse-or else laugh so hard at my miserable fate that he split his rotten sides."

This last admission, forced by Mystra's truth curse, seemed to take the fire out of him. Malik spent a moment taking in the scene in the courtyard, then slipped to Ruha's helpless form and raked his foot down her shin. "Hag! What did you do to my Kelda?"

Ruha's eyes flared, but she showed no other sign of pain. "Why is it you care more for your horse than for your friends?"

"Because my horse is more loyal," Malik answered. He reached under his robes and pulled out his curved dagger. "Now answer, or your death will be even more painful." "No!"

Vala and Galaeron were not the only ones to yell this, but it was Hadrhune's staff that came down across the little man's wrists and knocked the dagger from his hands.

"Not here," the Shadovar said. "Murder is as forbidden in Shade Enclave as it is in Waterdeep or Shadow-dale." He cast a meaningful glance at Malik. "And our justice is swifter."

"Then you have no choice," Malik complained. "The witch will never leave here until I am dead!" "Or my prisoner," Ruha clarified. "That, we will never permit," Aris warned.

Hadrhune considered this for a moment, then shook his head wearily. "You place Shade Enclave in a difficult position, Harper. Either we harbor this miscreant against you or we allow you to violate our guest guard."

"There is no reason to concern yourself with that," Galaeron said, glaring up at Hadrhune. "We'll be leaving within the hour."

Hadrhune studied Galaeron for a moment, then nodded. "That is your privilege, of course, but as long as you or any of your friends remain in Shade Enclave, Malik is protected as our guest and may not be killed or taken captive."

"You would truly harbor a murderer?" Ruha demanded.

"He has not murdered anyone here," Hadrhune said. He touched his staff to her binding, and the magic cord dissolved. "Nor have you. The same law that guards him guards you-and if something unfortunate should befall either of you, we will know whom to execute." Again, Hadrhune cast a warning glance at Malik. "I'm free to stay?" Ruha asked.

"In this very house." Hadrhune seemed unable to avoid smirking. "Shade Enclave would never want it said that we made it difficult for a murderer to be brought to justice."

"Justice?" Malik scoffed. "You have no idea what you're condemning me to!"

"Not for long," Galaeron said. He scowled up at Vala. "If you'll get off of me, that is."

Vala studied him doubtfully. "You're not going to attack?"

"I'm going to leave," Galaeron said. "I'm going to go back to Evereska."

Hadrhune motioned Vala off, then offered a hand. "If that is what you wish, but the Most High will be very disappointed tomorrow." Galaeron ignored the hand and stood on his own.

"He will," Hadrhune insisted. "He wanted to explain himself why the city was moving. That's why I didn't tell you."