'You were right about the logbook,' Innesdav said. 'It does contain maps of Glitterwing's library.'
Baylee's attention centered immediately on the acolyte's words. 'In Myth Drannor?'
'Not in Myth Drannor proper,' Innesdav went on. 'In a forest north of Mistledale. You are familiar with Mistledale?'
'That is a big forest,' Baylee said.
'It is actually nearer the Standing Stone than it is Mistledale, I believe.'
Baylee shook his head, thinking through the logistics of such an expedition. 'If the library is underground, it could take years to find it. Surely there's a way to cut the search down. Have you read the logbook?'
'We're working on it,' Innesdav said. 'We believe the written language Skyreach chose was deliberately obscure. You have to remember, her grandfather schooled her.'
'I didn't know,' Baylee said. 'I know very little of her.'
'Well,' the acolyte went on, 'let me say that in the matter of his granddaughter, the apple fell not far from the tree. She was every bit as bright, every bit as driven, as her grandfather.'
'What language is it?' Calebaan asked. 'I'm quite good at languages myself.'
'This one is long dead,' Innesdav replied. 'And to make matters even more complicated, Skyreach evidently created a code all her own as well with it.'
Calebaan nodded. 'Then I shall wish your people well with it.'
'There is something else,' Innesdav went on. 'Here in Candle-keep, we have the means to open a dimensional door to the woods near Mistledale where you can find the library.' He focused his gaze on Baylee. 'I have talked to Ulraunt about the possibility of sending you there. But it would be on the behest of Candlekeep, and anything you may find would become the property of Candle-keep.'
Baylee thought about the offer. He'd known when sending the books through to Innesdav that Ulraunt, the Keeper of the Tomes, would demand an entrance to the bounty that might be forthcoming. 'Would I be given an opportunity to study whatever we find at a later time?'
Innesdav spread his hand. 'Of course. Since I've known you, you've had an eternal invitation to this place. Should you succeed in finding this lost library, you could stay here the rest of your life studying if you chose.'
Most people, Baylee knew, didn't get to stay at Candlekeep for more than ten days.
'It is a generous offer,' Innesdav said.
And more than that, Xuxa said. If you found this library and it is as big as you say it is, where else would be better to keep it than here?
'Wait,' Cordyan said, letting Baylee know the azmyth bat had projected her thoughts to everyone there, 'what of Waterdeep? I represent some strong interests in these issues.'
“The Lords of Waterdeep, you mean?' Innesdav asked. His quiet voice seemed barely louder than the bubbling of the streams.
'I mean Lord Piergeiron in particular,' the civilar said. 'He personally funded the ship and the men who have chased after Baylee Arnvold. If it had not been for us-'
'Young Baylee had already sent the book to us,' the acolyte pointed out. 'And I don't think you can truthfully say you saved his life in the Sea of Swords. It seems to me he'd already saved himself.'
'The monk does have a point,' Calebaan said. 'I can take this group of men with him,' Cordyan said. 'Lord Piergeiron granted me leave to do as I saw fit. If you send Baylee into that library area without adequate manpower, you may very well never see him again.'
Innesdav regarded her with a twisted smile that Baylee remembered all too well. 'Child, every time Baylee leaves these towers, I know that could be true. Yet, could I protect him from all the wonders he would seek out in Faerun?'
'You're talking of sending him straight into the arms of this one,' Cordyan said.
Baylee felt agitated as the two discussed him as if he wasn't there. 'Wait a minute. This is my decision to make. If I want to go, I'll go, and it'll be on my own terms.' He faced Innesdav. 'Tell Ulraunt that his terms are acceptable.'
Cordyan turned to face him. 'You'd stupidly throw your life away? Just like that?'
Baylee didn't know what to say. He wanted to be angry at her, but at the same time he was afraid to be too angry because it would make things between them even more strained.
'If that's true, Baylee Arnvold, you are not half the man I thought you were.' Cordyan turned from him.
Confusion ran rampant in the ranger. He wanted to fight, to change her opinion, but he wasn't really sure where to begin, or that it would even make a difference.
'Actually,' Innesdav said, 'we were hoping you might offer assistance, Junior Civilar Cordyan. In return, we would be willing to grant Lord Piergeiron certain liberties within the towers of Candlekeep as well.'
Baylee wheeled on the old monk. 'What does she know about archeological digs? If you send her on this trip, she and her men could well destroy much of what you seek to save.'
'Dear boy,' the old acolyte said, 'that is the chance we must take. There are many risks here. Even more than you might imagine.' He stood. 'Come, let us take our eveningfeast inside and talk further.'
Baylee picked at his food despite the fact that the monks of Candlekeep set a good table. And they had excellent silverware. He sat in his chair and barely managed to restrain himself from pacing. He thought better when he moved.
They sat in one of the many dining rooms in an outbuilding maintained around the towers where guests from outside Candle-keep were allowed. Monks waited on them, bringing great trays of food to feed the armed men and sailors. The men of the watch and the crew of Tsunami Dancer hadn't been allowed into the libraries, but the monks wouldn't turn them away from the tables.
Xuxa's shadows as she hung from the candelabra above the table fluttered in all directions. She has men who can help, the azmyth bat said, continuing the argument they'd been having for the past hour.
Amateurs.
Not when it comes to fighting. Lord Piergeiron wouldn't send green warriors after you knowing how fierce the opponents were that you faced.
Baylee gazed into the great fireplace on the wall behind him. He wished he didn't feel so confused about the issue of Cordyan's involvement. But during the voyage to Candlekeep from Mintarn, he'd enjoyed her company, enjoyed the sound of her laughter.
The silence in his head when Xuxa didn't jump in with a comment was deafening.
A monk came to Innesdav and whispered in his ear. The old man smiled and tapped his water glass with his spoon, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. 'It has just been confirmed. Lord Piergeiron has agreed to our terms. In the morning, we will send all of you through to begin your journey.'
The men of the watch cheered.
Baylee figured they were only excited by the prospect of the odd gold coin tumbling into their pockets when no one was looking. They wouldn't even understand the intrinsic historical significance of the coins. They would be spent for ale that wouldn't stay in their bladders till morning.
The thought was almost enough to turn Baylee's stomach.
'I know you don't fully appreciate everything that's going on here.'
Baylee looked at Innesdav as the old monk guided him through the labyrinthine hallways of the Candlekeep outbuilding. 'They're an army, not a trained, expedition-ready staff.'
'And an expedition party isn't equipped mentally or physically to do battle the way these people are,' Innesdav said. He held a lantern ahead of them, chipping away at the shadows that filled the hallway. 'What you trade off of one, you more than gain on another.' He found Baylee's room and shoved the door open.
The room was a small square, nearly filled by the bed and the reading table near the window overlooking one of the inner courtyards. Xuxa leaped from the staff that Innesdav carried the lantern on and flew ahead into the room.
'But you could send me first,' Baylee protested. 'After I've had a look, if necessary, the Waterdhavian Watch unit could be sent through.'
'Had not Golsway himself been killed by whatever forces guard the library, I would have recommended just that,' Innesdav said. 'But the fact remains that I lost a dear and true friend. I do not want to lose two such
