Fargrin stared at his client in disbelief. The former High Priestess of Rhilshen was apparently garbed for a journey, with a light travel bag slung over her shoulder. The heavy cloth of Alysia?s leggings and shirt was cut in elven fashion, dyed an even black, unadorned and close-fitting with a faint silk-like sheen evincing a waterproof coating. An unfamiliar short sword was belted at the curve of her hip, and her left hand rested comfortably near the rising phoenix crest of her Li?Ved dagger. Her hair was plaited into a long, silvery braid down the center of her back.
Alysia stared back at him, wryly aware of his disconcerted state. She produced a sheaf of something resembling vellum and tossed it toward Fargrin. The yellow-haired elf reached and caught it without fumbling.
?Ah, I assume you?re going on a trip, Lady Skye?? He recovered his poise slightly, smiled and stood, gesturing to a seat.
?Master Fargrin, whatever gave you such an idea.? Alysia smirked. She made no effort to move from where she stood, three paces away from his desk.
Fargrin managed a polite frown. ?If your attire wasn?t sufficient, your restlessness of late and the rumor mill would be clue enough. I heard fantastic tales of an assassin wielding a hell-forged soul sword against you after you left the Red Dragon last night. Do stay a while, my Lady. Your hunters will not find you in this establishment.?
?No, my ship is leaving rather shortly this afternoon, and the sooner I leave, the less grief I?ll encounter over it.? Her smooth contralto sharpened slightly as she spoke, and she ignored his reference to those who hunted her. ?In the interest of not wasting your recent efforts on my behalf and to give the rumor mill less to play with, I had a solicitor draw these up. I trust Frost Enterprises to manage these businesses more aptly than I ever could. My shares of any profit should be transferred to the usual accounts.?
He took the pages and examined them. ?This is rather sudden,? Fargrin muttered. ?May I ask where you are bound??
?You could ask, but you?d not get an answer. The fewer who know of my destination, the better. Are you finished reading that yet??
?There are certainly a few who do have a right to know,? mused Fargrin. He continued to scan the small, neat script nearly burned into the vellum. ?If not your trusted business associates, I imagine those who consider themselves friends or family would . . . Great gods, was this written in blood??
?Of course. You?ll have to sign, too.? Alysia resumed her implacable stare.
Alysia stared back at him, wryly aware of his disconcerted state. She produced a sheaf of something resembling vellum and tossed it toward Fargrin. The yellow-haired elf reached and caught it without fumbling.
?Ah, I assume you?re going on a trip, Lady Skye?? He recovered his poise slightly, smiled and stood, gesturing to a seat.
?Master Fargrin, whatever gave you such an idea.? Alysia smirked. She made no effort to move from where she stood, three paces away from his desk.
Fargrin managed a polite frown. ?If your attire wasn?t sufficient, your restlessness of late and the rumor mill would be clue enough. I heard fantastic tales of an assassin wielding a hell-forged soul sword against you after you left the Red Dragon last night. Do stay a while, my Lady. Your hunters will not find you in this establishment.?
?No, my ship is leaving rather shortly this afternoon, and the sooner I leave, the less grief I?ll encounter over it.? Her smooth contralto sharpened slightly as she spoke, and she ignored his reference to those who hunted her. ?In the interest of not wasting your recent efforts on my behalf and to give the rumor mill less to play with, I had a solicitor draw these up. I trust Frost Enterprises to manage these businesses more aptly than I ever could. My shares of any profit should be transferred to the usual accounts.?
He took the pages and examined them. ?This is rather sudden,? Fargrin muttered. ?May I ask where you are bound??
?You could ask, but you?d not get an answer. The fewer who know of my destination, the better. Are you finished reading that yet??
?There are certainly a few who do have a right to know,? mused Fargrin. He continued to scan the small, neat script nearly burned into the vellum. ?If not your trusted business associates, I imagine those who consider themselves friends or family would . . . Great gods, was this written in blood??
?Of course. You?ll have to sign, too.? Alysia resumed her implacable stare.