your demand for rank and guild membership for her-and imply you were speaking for Arilyn all along. Chances are they'll be so relieved to be rid of you that they'll embrace Arilyn. Figuratively speaking, my dear,' Danilo assured the half-elf.
'But what of my assignment? I can hardly champion a woman I was ordered to kill,' the boy pointed out.
The nobleman raised one eyebrow. 'If the guildmasters bring that up, remind them that you were released from the school, and therefore, from any assignments. Barter met is bargain sealed, as they say hereabouts. You'll have gotten the better of them, and they'll probably admire you for it.'
Hasheth's delighted laughter rang out over the wasteland. 'You think like a southerner: devious and subtle. It would seem that I have misjudged you.'
'Everyone does,' Arilyn said. 'That's why he's such an effective agent.'
'Lord Thann is a Harper, as well?' The young man's brow furrowed as he thought this over. 'A nobleman can join such a group?'
'Even a pasha's son,' Arilyn said with a smile. 'In time.'
Hasheth nodded thoughtfully. 'I might like that.'
Danilo folded his arms and smiled broadly. 'Then perhaps it is time for you and me to barter. Tell your father all that has happened. Tell him that Arilyn and I will seek proof that the guilds threaten his power. Ask him to hear what we say and judge for himself.'
'That is your high bid?' scoffed Hasheth.
'You interrupted me too soon,' the nobleman said plaintively. 'I was going to ask for that ring of yours, as well.'
The boy's dark eyes flashed. 'That is absurd! This ring is a mark of royalty. Here is my offer: as you ask, I will deliver your warning to my father. You may not have the ring, but I will be your ears and eyes in Tethyr. From this day, I will pass to the Harpers whatever information reaches the pasha's court.'
'Throw in a couple of camels, and you have a deal,' Danilo offered.
'Done.'
The young man concluded the bargain in such solemn fashion that neither Harper had the heart to explain that Danilo had been joking.
'Congratulations, Danilo,' Arilyn murmured, struggling to keep the laughter from her voice. 'We've done our duty to the Harpers and you finally got your two camels.'
ELMINSTER'S JEST
Attributed to (read, 'blamed upon') Danilo Thann There was a knight who longed to wield a more impressive lance To carry into battle and to aid him with romance. A wizard overheard the knight and granted his request. The noble knight was overjoyed to see how he was blessed. CHORUS: Hey there, ho there; a lesson's here for you: Be careful what you ask for, for your wishes may come true. The knight went to a party with his weapon thus enhanced. The lance made dining difficult and tripped him when he danced. The next day at the tournament he won the jousting meets, For all who faced his fearsome lance fell laughing from their seats.
CHORUS
The knight espied a lady who admired his staff of oak. They'd scarce begun their gentle joust before the staff had broke. The knight sought out the wizard, who replied when brought to task, 'Your wish bespoke how long it was, and not how long 't'would last.'
CHORUS
Repeat Chorus if possible, run if necessary…
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
Whenever Elaith Craulnober wished to find his future wife, he knew precisely where to look. He knew also what she would be doing. Although he didn't entirely approve, he'd long ago abandoned any notion of taming the fierce elven lass.
The young elflord hurried through the palace gardens and down a path that took him deep into Evermeet's royal forest. He made his way to a grassy clearing shaded by a canopy of ancient trees. As sure as sunrise, Princess Amnestria was there, sword in hand and skirts kilted up around her knees. Her blue eyes blazed with concentration as she faced off against the finest swordmaster in the kingdom, and her pale face shone like a damp pearl. With both hands she clung to her practice sword-a long, broad blade that looked far too heavy for her slender strength. Her knuckles were white and her arms shook from the strain of balancing the oversized weapon.
Elaith's jaw firmed. He strode forward into the glen, determined to have a few words with the princess's instructor.
When Amnestria caught sight of the handsome, silver-haired elf, she dropped her sword and flew into his arms like a delighted child. Elaith caught the elfmaiden and swung her off her feet in an exuberant spin, delighting in the playful mood she always invoked in him. Theirs was an arranged marriage, but in this as in all things, Elaith considered himself the most fortunate of elves. He was extremely fond of the princess, and justly proud of the brilliant match.
Even without her royal lineage, Amnestria was remarkable. She possessed rare spirit and fire, and a pragmatic intelligence. Her beauty was not yet in full flower, but already minstrels had begun comparing her to Hanali Celanil, the elven goddess of love. She had blue eyes flecked with gold, and the rarest hair color among moon elves: a deep, vibrant blue-black that poets likened to spun sapphires. Her features were delicately molded, her form exquisite. Amnestria was the very embodiment of moon elven beauty.
Yet something about her often struck Elaith as too… human. That was the only word for it. Despite her merry nature, the princess displayed the intensity of purpose and singular focus usually associated with that vigorous, shortlived race. Battlecraft was her passion, and she divided her spare time between her swordmaster and the war wizard who tutored her in battle magic.
Remembering the source of his ire, Elaith set Amnestria down and prepared to castigate her swordmaster. The older elf, however, had discreetly slipped out of the clearing and was heading down the forest path, sympathy and nostalgia etched on his angular face.
Amnestria noted his departure and wrinkled her nose. 'My teacher is deserting me before I'm ready to stop,' she said. 'Let's have a match!'
'It is not fitting for the captain of the king's guard to cross swords with a princess,' Elaith said in the patient, gentle tone he used rather frequently with the girl.
She dimpled, and her eyes mocked him. 'You're just afraid that I'll best you, and then Father will turn your job over to me!'
'The guard exists to protect you, my dear princess, not employ you. No member of the royal house has ever served in the ranks, and you're not likely to change things,' he reminded her. 'The king has too much regard for tradition.'
Amnestria responded with an inelegant snort. 'Tell me something I don't know!'
'You misread me, damia,' Elaith said earnestly, using an elven endearment directed to sweethearts or children. 'I meant no disrespect to the king.'
'Of course not.' Amnestria sighed heavily, but her dancing eyes still teased him. 'That would be hoping for too much.'
'What do you mean?' His tone was sharper now.
'You're a dear, Elaith, but sometimes I worry for you.' She paused, reflecting. 'It's the hardest thing to explain.'
'Make an attempt,' he requested coolly.
'You're always so proper, and you follow the rules as if they were graven in alabaster. You're-' Amnestria
