As the tea-tray descended, Elminster winked at the bard. Storm shook her head, smiling helplessly.
ONE LAST DRINK
First Lieutenant Rhynn Oriandis sat astride her white mount, guarding the main entrance gate to the town of Mistledale As always, tonight the gate stood cheerfully open. The stone wall that encircled the two dozen or so buildings was breachable if a trespasser was determined, but sleepy Mistledale would hardly be worth the effort There was only one major street, which wound haphazardly through the town.
It was the middle of Marpenoth. The wind that ruffled Rhynn's indigo hair had the bite of the winter to come. The breeze chilled the moon elf's white cheeks as well, but she was warm enough in her black leather armor and cloak She felt the horse beneath her shiver. Moonmaid had no such protection, and as Rhynn was on a stationary patrol tonight the elderly mare didn't even have movement to warm her. Apologetically, Rhynn murmured comforting nonsense noises to the animal that had been her friend for the past fifteen years, then stroked the white neck with a gloved hand. Moonmaid whickered softly, craning her neck to glance back at her rider. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight, sparkling with what seemed like, to Rhynn at least, rueful humor.
'Don't look at me that way,' the elf reprimanded in a teasing voice. 'I don't like it out here either.'
Moonmaid snorted as if in derision. Rhynn laughed, then grew somber as the mare, wearied by even that much effort, drooped her head almost to the cobblestones. Why did horses have to age so much faster than elves?
Rhynn had been one of the esteemed Riders of Mistledale for several decades. The bond these expertly trained soldiers shared with their white mounts was close; each Rider raised the horse from a foal, and no one else was permitted to ride the beast, save in emergencies, for the rest of the horse's life. When the animal was too old for further service, the beast received a final, bittersweet gift from its master. Tomorrow or next week-at any rate far too soon for Rhynn-it would be time for her to put an end to her mare's life, to kill with kindness and spare the beast the pains of old age. Then there would be a new foal, milky white, to train and love and eventually slay. Rhynn had been paired with many mounts in her time as a Rider. But that did not make the final ritual any easier.
Without warning, Moonmaid started violently, yanking on the bit and prancing. 'Whoa, girl. Calm down,' Rhynn soothed, her gentle hands comforting the mare somewhat. Moonmaid still trembled, and Rhynn glanced about to see what had so spooked the animal.
From a short distance away, a familiar figure gazed at her. 'I'm sorry, Rhynn,' came a honey-sweet, soft voice. 'I didn't mean to startle Moonmaid.'
'Don't worry, Jander. She's getting old and easy to surprise. And you have a knack for sneaking up on people.' The latter was full of mock accusation, but Rhynn smiled warmly at Jander Sunstar, revealing her true feelings for her friend.
The gold elf was tall as the People went, and his bronze skin was complemented by shoulder-length, wheat- gold hair. He wore a cape carelessly fastened about his throat. It billowed open in the icy breeze, offering little protection from the chill night. His face was a white oval in the moonlight, but Rhynn could still distinguish his sweet smile. He seemed more than usually pleased to see her.
'I thought for certain you were going to be at the bardic competition tonight,' Jander said.
Rhynn shrugged, making her leather armor creak. 'So did I,' she confessed. 'But this one,' she added, patting Moonmaid, 'took a tumble a couple of days ago and isn't fit for anything other than a stationary patrol. Besides, Captain Theorn's volunteered for this duty for the past five years so that I could enjoy the music. It's time someone else took a turn.'
Jander glanced around, his smile turning wry. 'Oh, yes,' he agreed mockingly, surveying the peaceful little cottages and farmsteads that comprised Mistledale. 'One must protect the innocent in so criminal an environment.'
Rhynn, however, didn't laugh. 'Normally this patrol is nothing more than a gesture, but this year.. ' Her voice grew hard, and she unconsciously sat up straighter in the saddle. 'You're a warrior by trade, Jander, so I suppose I can tell you. We found bodies this afternoon-two farmers and their child, hardly more than an infant. Their throats had been ripped out'
Jander's expression was difficult to read in the moonlight, and he turned his face away quickly. 'Knifed?'
'No. It looked like they'd been savaged.'
'Perhaps a wolf?'
Rhynn frowned, and her voice sharpened. 'You're an elf. You ought to know better than that. Wolves are generally shy creatures, hunting to feed and protect their young. They don't even attack the livestock around here unless the winter is unusually harsh. It's not winter, not yet, and that girl wasn't slain for her flesh.'
Jander laid a gentle hand on her arm. 'That must have been a terrible thing to discover. I'm so sorry.'
Rhynn shook her head slowly. 'We deal with drunken brawls, lost children, and stray sheep around here, Jander, not murderers. I'm just not used to it, that's all.'
There was an awkward silence for a moment, then Jander cleared his throat. 'Changing the subject a bit, I am glad I ran into you. I… I won't be seeing you after tonight. I'm leaving Mistledale.'
Rhynn's beautiful face fell. 'Oh, Jander, why?' Her eyes brightened with sudden hope. 'Are you going back to Ever-meet?'
Before she had met Jander, Rhynn had known of Ever-meet, the land of the fair forests, the realm of magic, the true, paradisiacal home of all elves. It lay far to the west, a secluded island where only the People were welcomed. The evil dark elves-known as the drow-and elves of mixed blood were not permitted to tread those blessed shores. When Rhynn had learned that her friend had been born there, she was a little in awe of him. Jander had intimated that he was unable to return to the island for some reason. Now she hoped that, somehow, whatever ban that had been imposed upon him had been lifted.
But apparently such was not the case. Jander shook his head sadly. 'No, not there. I would have liked to have had one last drink with you, First Lieutenant Rhynn Oriandis. I must content myself with a farewell here.' His hand gripped her arm tightly. 'I thank you for your friendship. I will never forget you. Sweet water and light laughter.'
Without another word, he turned and strode off toward the Black Boar Inn, his cloak billowing about him. Rhynn opened her mouth to call after him, then closed it. Jander was obviously distressed about leaving, and she had no desire to embarrass him by prolonging the farewell. She herself was grieved to hear of his departure. She would miss the gold elf, with his wonderful tales, gentle humor, and sweet smile. Rhynn sighed, shifted in the saddle, and resumed her patrol.
The time passed with little to break the monotony. Many dalesmen passed through the gates, calling out greetings. Rhynn stopped those she didn't recognize, searched them, and politely confiscated all weapons. No one protested; they knew their arms would be returned to them when they left the little village.
An hour or so after Jander's visit, Rhynn caught sight of a familiar figure clad in black leather armor walking toward her. Again, Moonmaid started, stepping about nervously, and again Rhynn gently calmed the mare. 'There, there, girl,' she said softly, her attention focused on the approaching man.
'Lieutenant Rhynn, I relieve you of your duty. From this moment, your orders are to enjoy yourself at the bardic competition.' Captain Theorn planted his big hands on his hips and grinned up at her, teeth gleaming whitely in the dim light.
'But, Theorn … why? And where's your mount?' His smile faltered. 'Either Moonmaid's lameness is catching, or else they need to replace some cobbles on the streets. Snow Lady sprained a leg.' As Rhynn opened her mouth to voice further concern, Theorn added reassuringly, 'She'll be fine in the morning. I thought since this was a stationary patrol I'd do it on foot. Now, you go on ahead to the Black Boar.'
Rhynn's delicate blue brows drew together in a puzzled frown. 'Theorn, we went over all this three days ago.' 'Are you telling me you don't want to go?' 'Certainly I want to go, but fair's fair, and-' 'That's an order, Lieutenant.' Theorn's booming voice, normally so jovial, had gone suddenly cold.
