Alusair found herself in a warm, richly paneled parlor lined with scarlet draperies, over which hung tapestries depicting vivid scenes of lovemaking-scenes so well limned that they seemed almost lifelike.
She blushed, despite her firm resolve to the contrary earlier, and took refuge in the warm brown eyes of the ivory-hued woman who rose to greet her. As finely gowned as any noblewoman at a formal Court dinner, the tall apparition of striking beauty smiled in genuine welcome, reaching forward to take Alusair's hands-with fingers as soft as warm silk-as if she were a long-lost friend. The gesture made the unlaced front of her gown fall open right down to the girdle that encircled her hips, but she seemed unaware that this had occurred.
'Lady,' she said warmly, 'your arrival brings much pleasure! Pray, take your ease! I am Daransa, and this is my house. What is your will?'
It was obvious that Daransa hadn't recognized her as the Princess Alusair but merely thought her to be some young wisp of a commoner. It was just as obvious that she was genuinely pleased to see her unexpected and unfamiliar guest.
'I, uh, I-' Alusair began, stumbling under that friendly gaze.
Daransa had kept hold of her hands, and she gently drew Alusair to her breast, urging her to a handy couch and murmuring, 'Yet I am overbold. Tea, perhaps? Warm broth? Speak at your leisure, dear. I don't mean to press you.'
Alusair halted that gentle steering once her knee was against the edge of the couch and her nose almost touching Daransa's bosom. She lifted her chin and blurted out what she'd come to say.
'Your kindness is much appreciated, Lady Daransa, but I am here only to deliver a message for you to pass on with all urgency: 'Three pearls have been lost, but one is now found.' '
The eyes staring into hers flickered, and Daransa gravely repeated the message in a low whisper. Accustomed to the subtle signals of Court converse, the princess could tell by Daransa's eyes that she now knew who Alusair was.
Breathing in the delicately spicy scent that clung to Daransa's curves, Alusair added, 'So that you know I mean no deception, hear me: Harper Dalonder Ree gave me those words and told me that if ever I wanted to call on him, they could be said to you here. He'll know where to find me. So far as I know, I shall be found in the usual places. As much as possible, I'll keep to my chambers until I hear from him.'
Daransa knelt, keeping hold of Alusair's fingertips only long enough to kiss them, and rose to whisper, 'Highness, rhis shall be done-and know that you are always welcome in my house.'
Alusair gave her a real smile. 'You have certainly made me feel so. My thanks.'
Bowing her head and assuming once more the bent-over posture of a weary servant, she turned to the door. It opened in front of her, seemingly by itself, to reveal the guard beyond. He neither bowed nor made any flourish of ushering her out but bent near to mutter, 'Please know that inwardly I am on my knees to you, Highness.'
Alusair gave him a sidelong grin, ducked her head, and went back down the stairs into the bustle of the city.
She headed straight back the way she'd come, placing speed before stealth, and spotted Baerent Orninspur's handsome features right away-despite his swift movement to turn his back on her and converse with his friend, whom she now recognized as another war wizard.
'Fair evening, you filthy spies,' she greeted them cheerfully as she swept past, giving the dumbfounded pair a sweet smile.
Green flames seared and tore like a thundering waterfall of heavy, battering fire that burned as it smashed into Knights and swept them away.
Florin was hurled away in that raging flood, and Islif after him, her grip on the false Jhessail lost.
Slammed hard into the paneled walls, winded and heaped atop each other, the Knights gasped amid sudden relief, as rainbow-hued protective magics surged up out of the wood to drive back the emerald flames a foot or so from their noses.
The flames slowly died away, leaving the lich with the staff standing in triumph as ft surveyed the twisted bodies heaped along the back wall of the dead end.
It didn't seem to notice the man standing right in front of it, alone in the open space its spell had cleated-the seemingly unharmed man the false Jhessail had tutned into.
Tall, slender, and darkly handsome, wearing stylish black boots, breeches, tunic, and half-cloak, the man regarded the Knights of Myth Drannor with a half smile.
Semoor gaped up at him. 'And who in the Nine Hells ate you?'
'Ah, adventurers,' the man sneered. 'Always so eloquent.'
'Get after her,' Baerent said. 'Be her shadow; stick to her like tight new hose, no matter how much she spits and snarls. See where she goes and who she speaks to.'
Barely waiting for Mrask's nod, Baerent trotted across the street and bounded up the Moontouch stairs.
The guard was waiting for him, sword already drawn.
'I'm a war wizard,' Baerent said. 'Stand aside!'
'No,' the guard replied. 'Vangey and I have an agreement on this, and I'll not-'
Baerent cast the spell he had ready, shrugged, and strode past the now-motionless guard, who would not be a statue for long. But long enough.
Flinging wide the door of the Touch, he stepped into the parlor where Daransa stood by the tea table. 'Goodwoman,' said Baerent, 'I speak with the full authority of the Crown, and I musr ask you-'
'Ah, Wizard of War Baerent Orninspur!' a new voice interrupted. A door behind Daransa's little desk opened, and a tall, shapely, silver-haired woman strode into the room.
Baerent blinked. How could someone recognize him before they even saw him? His amulet would prevent scrying or warn him of more powerful magOh. Spyholes. Of course.
'Tea?' Daransa offered, nothing but pleasant welcome on her face.
Baerent looked from one woman to the other and decided bluster was no longer his best option. 'I regret the abruptness of my intrusion,' he said, 'and I intend no harm to any in this place. I merely-'
'Burst in here,' Dove interrupted, 'after your scrying spell failed-and that of your companion Mrask. Then you thought to bully Daransa into revealing why Princess Alusair was here. What she said, and what she did, too. My, but Vangey is suspicious these days!'
'But I-' Baerent sputtered, then took a deep breath, waved his hand in a calming gesture directed more at himself than anyone else, and asked, 'Lady, forgive me, but who are you? I have my suspicions, but-'
'All war wizards do, which is the root of our trouble here,' the silver-haired woman replied with a pleasant smile, coming closer. 'As I see it, you are here on duty, bound to uncover the private and personal business of a princess, and to that you have now added the little task of trying to learn how a few elegant professional playpretties can block your magics-and to do a little bullying to drench them in fear, so you can forbid them from ever trying to do so again, and hope to be obeyed. Have I stated truth?'
Baerent blinked again. 'Lady, you can hardly expect me to discuss such matters with… with-'
'Someone whose name you don't even know? Yet I do expect you to confirm truth and to speak openly and fully when dealing with someone who just might be one of those you are supposed to serve. You serve the citizens of Cormyr, remember? Lording it over them is your own embellishment. Or Vangerdahast's. Speaking of which, you are not to say one wordabout any of this to him. Beginning with my name, which is Dove.'
Baerent blinked once more. 'Ah, the Dove?' Without awaiting a reply, he rushed on into more dangerous words. 'I could hardly fail to notice that you just gave me an order-or tried to. Lady Dove, you must appreciate that I cannot accept orders from anyone but-'
Dove waved away the rest of his words. 'Call it a suggestion, then,' she said with a gentle smile, strolling still closer. 'I am suggesting that if you forget about all that has happened since you saw the princess cross the Promenade, and depart this house right now without trying to seek any answers or give any commands in the Moontouch now or ever again, I will probably see my way clear to letting you keep your life.'
'My life?'
'Yes. If you just go back to yon Royal Palace right now and refrain from ever bothering Daransa or any of her ladies again. And refrain from saying anything about this to Vangerdahast.'
Baerent stared at her. He suddenly believed that this strikingly beautiful woman was one of the fabled
