a citizen of Waterdeep standing in my own house, and I'm far too angry to be prudent, so you'd best begone. Now. In due time my 'prentices will bring you an accounting, and you can send the coins back to me here.'
Dyre pointed at the door, his hard gaze never leaving Beldar's eyes. Korvaun Helmfast moved to open it as swiftly and quietly as any servant.
Two young men stood just outside, their faces set and pale. Their matching tunics bore the stone-sprouting-a- fist badge of Dyre's Fine Walls and Dwellings. The stonemason's apprentices were clutching ready mattocks in their hands.
'Baraezym, Jivin,' Varandros Dyre greeted them grimly. 'Our guests are just departing. In peace, I trust. Mark their faces, for there may come a time when you'll need to know them.'
The Gemcloaks had already begun to stride silently out, faces set, but Beldar turned his head sharply. 'Goodman Dyre, just what do you mean by that?'
'I mean, lords,' the Master Stonemason said flatly, 'that a time will come when consequences can no longer be laughed away.'
Varandros Dyre watched, stone-faced, as the lordlings stalked away, fine cloaks swirling.
Then he whirled around so swiftly his apprentices jumped. Ignoring them, he peered around the hall for his daughters.
There was no sign of them, but the door to the kitchens was open, and the housemaid stood in it, steam curling from the covered serving platter in her hands. Her gaze was on the floor, and she was as still as a statue.
Dyre nodded approvingly. Some folk, at least, knew their places. He permitted himself a chuckle of satisfaction as he made the gesture that sent his apprentices hastening to close and bar the doors.
Lark kept her eyes down and wisely said nothing.
CHAPTER FIVE
'I don't understand.' Faendra shook her red-gold curls in puzzlement as she thumped the dasher emphatically into the butter churn. 'Father may be hard, but he's fair. It's not like him to condemn a man for the cut of his cloak.'
Naoni glanced up from the piecrust she was crimping. 'Father has no love for the noble houses. Best you remember that before you sigh over highnosed redbearded rogues.'
'I'd much rather laugh than sigh, and Malark Kothont's a merry fellow. Though I suppose some girls,' Faendra said slyly, 'might prefer Korvaun Helmfast's golden hair and courtly manner.'
Naoni felt her cheeks grow warm. Faendra's smile broadened into a grin, and Naoni hastened to speak of something else. 'What if Father's right-if the Lords are all nobles and control the sewers and the thugs who lurk there? That puts Father's New Day squarely between the highest and the lowliest, and that's as dangerous as…'
'Pissing into lightning?' Lark suggested.
Naoni's chuckle was weak. 'Father won't listen to us, and his friends are too cowed by his temper or dazzled by their New Day dreams. I-I don't know what to do.'
'There's one who might,' Lark said slowly, pushing the simmering stewpot back to a cooler spot on the stove and turning to face her mistresses. 'Know you of Texter, the paladin?'
The Dyre girls exchanged glances, then shook their heads.
'He's that rarest of things: a good man. He… helped me, once.' Lark's words came haltingly, not with her usual tart-tongued confidence. Naoni smiled encouragement.
'He travels, helping folk wherever he goes, seeking news of importance for Waterdeep. He speaks to the Lords.'
The leisurely thumping of the butter churn halted abruptly as Faendra threw up her hands in exasperation. 'Yes, of course we must tell him all! Let's bring the Lords right to Father's door and save them the trouble of discovering his foolishness on their own!'
'I said he speaks to the Lords,' Lark said quietly. 'Texter knows how to keep a secret. I trust him, and I can say that about no other man.'
Naoni frowned. She'd never met a paladin, but everyone knew they were upright men, holy warriors who could not break their stern codes without losing the blessing of their god and their own powers into the bargain. Moreover, Lark had good sense, and never before had she spoken so well of any man.
'You can talk to this Texter, and he'll advise you?'
'He travels much, but messages can be got to him. There's a hidden place in the Westwind Villa in Sea Ward.'
Faendra tugged off the soft gloves she wore to keep churning from roughening her hands. 'I know that place! The great hall there can hold half the nobles in the city-and will, at a grand revel morrow-night!'
Naoni raised an eyebrow. 'And you learned this how?'
Her sister grinned. 'A tiny shop on Sails Street sells ladies' cast-offs; betimes I talk to the maids bringing the gowns in.'
'Stolen?' Naoni demanded, aghast.
'Rest easy! Some high ladies give their old gowns to their maids-as if the girls have any place to wear them! Fine stuff, nevertheless, that can be pulled apart and made over. I'll show you.'
Faendra flitted from the room and in short order returned, bearing an armful of rich green.
'Off with your kirtle and shift, Lark,' she ordered. 'The bodice is too slim-cut for me, but it should fit you well enough. It goes on thus, this side to the front.'
The maid sighed but peeled off her clothes and reached for the dress. Sliding it on, she checked to make sure her ribbon was still in place around her left arm and looked inquiringly at Faendra. 'Where's the rest of it?'
The younger Dyre sister laughed merrily as she came forward to tighten the side-lacings and smooth the neckline into place. 'This is all there is! No sleeves, you see, and the back's supposed to be open to the waist. It fits the hips snugly, but the skirt will flare out full when you turn. 'Tis meant for dancing.'
Naoni stared in wonderment. 'This is your design, Faen? Your work?'
Her sister nodded happily. 'I've always been handy with a needle, and making over a gown's more pleasant work than hemming linens. Giandra the dressmaker stocks ready clothes for ladies who haven't time to order them made. She's already bought two of my gowns and will happily take more.'
Looking as surprised as Naoni, Lark started to slip off the gown.
'Wait!' Faendra commanded, clapping her hands excitedly. 'You can wear this to the revel at Westwind! You can go as a grand lady, and leave your message for Texter!'
'I've a better idea,' Lark said dryly. 'I'll go to Sea Ward after my work here is done and ask at the Westwind if they're hiring extra servants. For the big revels, they usually do.'
'Why be a servant when you can go as a lady?'
A stubborn expression crossed Lark's face. 'I don't like pretending to be other than I am.'
Naoni put a hand on Faendra's arm to still her, and said, 'I quite agree, but I overheard Master Whaelshod talking with my father and learned the Westwind changed hands recently. It now belongs to Elaith Craulnober, a rather sinister elf better known to the city as 'the Serpent.' He's been away from Waterdeep for a few seasons.'
She leaned forward and murmured, 'Master Whaelshod said this elf had a secret partnership with Lady Thann. She died two moons past, and Craulnober's returned to sort out his affairs.' Naoni looked from Lark to her sister. 'Their ah, connection's not widely known; you'd do best to keep this quiet.'
Faendra's eyes grew round. 'I've heard about the Serpent. This is the company your paladin keeps?'
Lark shrugged. 'Not from choice, I'll warrant. In Waterdeep a man may choose his friend, but not the Lords who rule.'
