The halfling bristled but said nothing, prompting the warlock's grin to widen. Slip shoved the rest of her gear in her pack and scurried over to where Twilight sat against the wall, clasping her arms about herself. Twilight met the halfling with an easy smile.
'Good morn, little one,' she said as Slip thumped down with a sigh. She reached over and put an arm around the halfling's shoulders, as one might a child. Since her horror of the night before-which might have been a dream, anyway-she had found nothing as comforting as the small one-not her clothes, not her sword, not Liet.
After a time, Slip spoke, quietly and hesitantly. ' 'Light, I've a favor to ask.' Her innocent voice sounded particularly meek in the dark cavern.
'I'm a great proponent of conversation. Say on.'
'Well,' the halfling started. She contemplated the dark spot she was busy scuffing on her boot. 'If I paid you enough… would you… kill Davoren for me?'
Twilight bit her lip, not a little stunned. Slip was always so compassionate, so loyal, so… good, for lack of a better term. Twilight could hardly believe the little woman could ask such a question.
'What could you possibly have to pay me?' asked Twilight.
'I could save the strongest healing magics of me lord for you,' the halfling said. The words sounded so blatantly strategic. 'If you'd do this thing, I-'
'Firstly, there can be no alliances,' Twilight said. 'If any of the others perceive us as partners, or even as friends, it will spark a schism. I do not want to worry about the others plotting against me, or you, or both of us.'
'But-'
'No alliances. If I'm wounded, it's just the same as if Gargan, Liet, or, aye, even Davoren were wounded.' She clutched Slip's arm tightly. 'I want your word on that.'
Slip's eyes fell and she sniffed. 'Fine,' she said, defeated.
'Secondly, do I look like an assassin?' asked Twilight. 'Gods, no. I'm a thief, just like you. I don't kill for coin. Might as well be a dinger, or a fen, for that matter, winning with brute force and manual labor what I couldn't get through finesse.' That she slipped into cant, referring to a thug and a prostitute, should have told Slip something. From her blank eyes, it didn't, so Twilight stopped. 'I have a little more self-respect than that.'
It was difficult to tell if Slip was pleased or disappointed.
'And thirdly, the prime reason you can't pay me to kill Davoren,' said Twilight, leaning in close. She adopted a cold tone. 'I'd gladly do it for free.'
Slip giggled and Twilight grinned, though she didn't laugh. Slip was more than she seemed, and something she'd said had struck Twilight as wrong, but damned if she could place it. She was too tired.
The events of the previous night had drained her and left her numb-empty. She knew, however, what the others expected of her, and she could use it to her advantage. She felt like her old self again-or one of them, anyway. Taslin's blood had been a shock. Things couldn't continue as they had. Something had to change.
She hugged the little halfling tightly. Nervous about Liet, Twilight was glad of Slip's companionship. Perhaps she had her mysteries, and perhaps she was less than stable, but at least Twilight could rely on her to be mysterious and less than stable. And if there was a spy, she would need someone she could trust.
'We go by the south door,' Twilight announced when they were ready to depart.
The reactions were myriad and telling. Liet bit his lip. Davoren rolled his eyes. Gargan shrugged noncommittally, and Slip balked. Liet thought they were past this, but whatever had happened to her this morning must have changed that.
'B-but,' Slip said. 'You said…'
'It matters not what I said,' replied Twilight. 'But let us be more specific. You four shall take the route south of the sanctum, which I know leads up.'
'How?' Davoren snapped.
Twilight flashed him a whimsical smile. 'I wouldn't be much of a thief if I didn't scout ahead,' she said. 'The door, which I have unlocked, leads steadily upward until it arrives at a trapdoor hidden in the ceiling, inscribed with the inverted Netherese runes we saw before. There, you will find your way.'
'What do you mean, 'you' will find?' asked Liet. 'You're coming with us, aye?'
'I rather fancy a jaunt through the east passage.'
'The east passage!' Slip exclaimed. 'But why? And alone? 'Light!' She ran to Twilight and threw her little arms around her-or, rather, around her legs. ' 'Tis too dangerous! You can't leave us!' Tears started to roll from Slip's eyes.
Liet opened his mouth, but he was too stunned to speak. Was she mad?
'Pitiful whining whelp,' mused Davoren. 'Let her go-and good riddance.'
'Oh, worry not, little one,' said Twilight kindly. 'I'm sure nothing will be awaiting. My scouting of last night revealed simply a door I had yet to open, perhaps a chamber yet to be explored. No markings of lizards upon it. I doubt any of the creatures has opened it. I plan to stroll in, without taking any precautions.' She gave Slip a thoughtless wink.
'Gods, 'Light-' Liet started, but Davoren laughed him to silence.
If the halfling had been afraid before, she was truly terrified at this news. She looked up with eyes wide as tureens. 'You should come with us! Where 'tis safe-er, safer!' She buried her head in the shadowdancer's belly. 'I can't lose you, too!'
The elf beamed at her as though she had not a thought in her head. 'Do not worry for my safety, little one. 'Tis but a morning stroll-like you took in Crimel, yes?'
'No!' The halfling's eyes flashed. 'At least take one of us-take me, aye?'
'The half-wench raises a decent argument,' said Davoren. 'Perhaps you should take someone, to make sure you are not hunting treasure-or arranging to betray us.'
'Don't be silly,' said Twilight with a laugh. 'Survival takes priority over gold. The simple acceptance of this fact is precisely what keeps the numbers of folk in my profession breathing steadily. And if I meant to slay you, you'd be quite dead.'
Davoren would not be deterred, though he looked a little unsettled by her manic demeanor. 'Yet, we have only the word of a thief and a liar. I insist you take another.'
'Insistence noted!' Twilight said brightly. 'Liet-'
'Oh, very well,' said Davoren, rolling his eyes and turning away. He waved dismissively. 'Take your handsome swain-this choice does not surprise me. And I'd be happy without his useless carcass slowing us.'
'Liet,' Twilight continued. 'I place you in command.'
'What?' Liet and Davoren exclaimed at once.
Twilight pinched Liet's cheek. 'Listen to the lad's word as you would mine,' she said. 'As you have followed me, so you must follow him in my stead.'
'I 'must' do nothing!' Davoren roared, ruby energy flickering around his hands and arms. His fingers twitched toward the snarling dragon scepter at his belt. 'I have sworn no oath-certainly none that involves following a bare- faced boy! I refuse!'
'Well then,' said Twilight, suddenly serious. 'I shall simply have to kill you.' Betrayal hissed out and she leaned back into a fighting stance. Her eyes brooked no debate, and she showed no sign of mirth.
After a long, motionless breath, Davoren laughed. 'Very well,' he said. 'Play your game. I care not. I shall do as you ask, for now. Only know that mine shall be the last word, the last thrust, and the last smile.'
'You just keep reassuring yourself of that, handsome,' Twilight said as she sheathed the rapier. The warlock, it seemed, was successfully cowed.
As Gargan, Slip, and Davoren made the final preparations to move, Liet caught Twilight's arm. 'Is this wise?' he asked. 'I don't think-'
She touched his face with her fingers and traced down his stubbly cheek. 'Nothing I do is wise,' she said. She touched her lips against his. 'Only prudent.'
Then she kissed him, lightly at first, then harder, pressing her body against his. Not enough to warrant an outcry from the others, who stared.