The City of Towers

CHAPTER 33

The sun had set over Sharn, but the towers were alive with light. Lei looked over the railing and was stunned by the sight. The spires of the tallest towers were the playgrounds of the wealthy. Buildings of crystal and gold glittered in the light of magical fire. She could see a long pool of water atop one tower and a grove of ancient trees atop another-private pieces of nature hidden amidst the city. Looking down the length of the tower was a lesson in architectural style. Every few hundred feet structures and materials changed, as each tower and ward reflected the traditions of a different era or culture.

There was no shortage of light on the deck of the Pride of the Storm. The ship’s railings were studded with crystal shards charged with cold fire. But these tiny torches were overshadowed by the enormous ring of elemental fire wrapped around the waist of the ship, the light from this belt of flame almost a match for the sun itself. There were a dozen Lyrandar servants scattered around the deck, polishing the railings and performing other forms of maintenance. But there were also a few guests, and after taking Lei’s pack the chief servant led Lei and Pierce to the small knot of guests-one of which was a massive owl-standing midship beneath the flaming arch.

“Master Calis?” the servant said. “Your guest has arrived.”

Lailin Callis was an enormous man, at least in girth. His long beard was dyed in various shades of blue, matching the swirling patterns of his loose robes. “Lei!” he bellowed, charging forward and embracing her. The small group of people watched him go with looks of mild bemusement. “What a wonderful surprise.”

“Surprise?” Lei said, breaking free and gasping for breath. “From your note, it seemed a matter of fate.”

Lailin’s face split in a massive grin. “Yes, well, that’s because you didn’t see the note I left last night-or this afternoon.”

“What do you mean?”

“A friend told me you were in town and would be coming to visit, but I had no idea when you might arrive. I’ve been leaving notes for you every time I leave the house.”

Lei smiled. “And my companion?”

“As if you would be traveling alone, my dear!” Lailin studied Pierce with a curious eye. “Although I must admit, I rather expected you to be in the company of a handsome young man. No offense meant.”

“None taken,” Pierce rumbled.

“And here I thought you’d finally unlocked the secrets of the stars and moons, Lailin. Nonetheless, I thank you for making me feel welcome. After what we’ve been through recently, it’s wonderful to have a chance to socialize.”

“And on that note,” he said as he led Lei and Pierce to the small group. He made a brief round of introductions of various merchants, and finally turned to the owl. “Allow me to introduce my companion of the moment. Master Hu’ur’hnn makes his home in the Bazaar of Middle Dura. Without question, he is one of the cleverest birds I have ever crossed wits with.”

“Too kind, Lailin,” Hu’ur’hnn said. Standing almost nine feet tall from the tips of his talons to his tufted horns, Hu’ur’hnn was a the largest owl Lei had ever seen, covered with gray-black feathers. He regarded Lei with yellow eyes the size of small saucers. “Lei, it is? And would you be House of Cannith, my lady?” His voice was strange and inhuman-deep, fluting tones twisted to form words.

Lailin caught Lei’s eye and spoke before she could answer. “Hu’ur’hnn used to be a windchaser in the sporting events of Dura. I’ve forgotten. Did you ever actually win a match, old owl?”

The owl rotated his head to face Lailin, a slightly disconcerting effect. “Indeed, this is well known. Difficult for the owl to race the Pegasus, but not impossible with proper plans and arrangements. My people admire such effort.”

“Your people?” Lei said. “Are there really so many owls in Sharn?”

“Less than a dozen. Mine are the people of the Bazaar, merchants and others who know the value of word and wit. It took diplomacy to overcome the Griffon and the Hippogriff. Now those same gifts are used in the service of Dura. But as to you …”

“I should probably introduce Lei to our host, Hu’ur’hnn. It’s her first time aboard the Pride, you know.”

“Very well.” The owl bobbed his head. “Perhaps we shall talk later, lady.”

Lailin took Lei’s arm and led her to a set of stairs. Pierce followed behind. “A fascinating fellow, Hu’ur’hnn, but he’s a hunter by nature. I didn’t think he’d latch onto your house so quickly.”

“So what do you know of my situation, Lailin? And who told you I was in Sharn to begin with.”

“Her name is Flamewind.”

“The sphinx?” Lei tried to imagine Lailin fighting a minotaur barehanded and failed completely.

“Yes, that’s her. She spends a certain amount of time at Morgrave University.”

This was what Lei had heard in the first stories of the sphinx. “Talking about Xen’drik?”

“Yes.”

Lei wondered why Flamewind maintained two homes. The temple in Malleon’s Gate was a fairly elaborate stage, if she could just be found in the Morgrave Library. But then again, many mystical powers were linked to specific locations. If Flamewind was a true oracle, perhaps she channeled some hidden power in the temple to obtain the knowledge of the future and the past.

“What did she tell you?”

“That you were in Sharn, no longer part of House Cannith, and that you would be visiting in the future. She’s never spoken to me before. I’ve seen her certainly, but we’ve never spoken. I’ve heard she eats people who ask her stupid questions, and I’ve never felt like taking that chance.”

“Food for thought.”

“Well, exactly.”

They descended a large, spiral staircase into an elaborate ballroom. Both the staircase and the room below were massive in scale, and Lei imagined that they had been designed to accommodate large guests like Hu’ur’hnn or an ogre servant. The ceilings were at least twenty feet high, and Lei wondered if the chamber was making use of two decks. Light fell from glittering chandeliers, each crystal shard enchanted with its own spell of light. Lei was impressed. All magic had its price, and clearly expense was not a concern for the heirs of Lyrandar.

“Thank you for not mentioning my disgrace to the owl,” Lei said. She saw a long table filled with food and started toward it.

“Well, if it’s what I think, I know you’re not allowed to lie about it. But if you’d like … well, a friend who simply hasn’t heard the news and mistakenly misreports things, that’s no crime. If you’d like to be a lady for the night, I’d be happy to assist.”

She smiled. “You’re kind, Lailin. But you know … I’m ready. Perhaps I’m curious to see what will happen. Just let me get some food before you start making introductions. If I’m going to be thrown off the ship, I’d rather it was on a full stomach.”

“A woman after my own heart,” Lailin said, taking a plate. “The blackspiced dragonhawk is excellent, but you simply must try the fish; You’ll never get fish as fresh as at a Lyrandar feast. I think the deepscale trout were brought in from the Thunder Sea mere hours ago.” He helped himself to a generous portion of the trout, along with a salad made from watercress and other Marcher staples.

After Lei had filled her plate, Lailin led her over to another table where a few others were already seated. “Lord Alais, do you mind if we join you?”

“Not at all.” The speaker was in his middle years, but lean and handsome. He rose and pulled out a chair for Lei. “And who is your charming companion, Lailin?”

“My name is Lei, my lord,” she replied. “Former heir of the House of Making, now finding my own way in the world.”

It was interesting to watch the man’s reaction. There were dozens of physical traits that distinguished the dragonmarked bloodlines-a certain shade of hair or eye, curve of cheek, slant of nose. Each house had thousands of members, and these traits were many and varied. But Lei had paid close attention to the subject in her schooling, and she was fairly certain this man wasn’t an heir himself. This was why she’d chosen him as her test subject. For an instant, his eyes widened in surprise, then they narrowed, and she could see his interest growing. He took her proffered hand, brushing her fingers with dry lips as he gazed into her eyes.

“I am Alais ir’Lantar,” he said, “and I have the honor of being one of the ambassadors from the nation of Aundair. I hope you will not consider the question rude, but do you possess the Mark of Making?”

Lei considered this for a moment but saw no harm in the question. “I do.”

“Fascinating,” Alais said. “And what brings you to Sharn?”

Lei brushed her fingers across her armor. “I learned the ways of artifice and enchantment as a child….”

“And truly, you are one of the most gifted enchantresses I have ever set eyes upon, magic or no.”

Lei wanted to roll her eyes, but she resisted the urge. She’d been in the field for so long that she’d almost forgotten the ways of the court, the constant interplay of simpering flattery. She smiled and cast her eyes to the floor. “Like many members of my house, I served in the support corps during the war. My home was in Metrol, and-”

“I understand,” Alais said, putting his hand over hers. “Truly, the destruction of Cyre is a tragedy that has affected us all deeply. At Arcanix, we have the greatest mystical minds of the age studying the disaster, trying to unlock its secrets and ensure that it never happens again. Perhaps you would be interested in a seat on the Arcane Congress?”

The offer took Lei by surprise, but then she caught scent of where he was going. “My lord, that’s most generous of you, but I did not realize that Aundair was providing shelter for the refugees of the war.”

“We are a small country, and we do not have the resources of Breland. Otherwise, I can assure you we would be doing everything in our power to help the scattered people of Cyre. But I have no doubt that the queen would make a special exception in your case, in light of the many difficulties you have overcome-not to mention your loss of status within your own house.”

“Truly, your offer is most kind.” Lei was curious to see how far this would go. “Yet with the destruction of my home, I find myself without the means to travel. Even shelter itself has been a difficulty.”

Alais opened his mouth to speak but was distracted by the arrival of a servant. The young girl whispered in his ear, and he sighed. “I am afraid I must depart, my lady,” he said, pushing back his chair and rising from the table. “But why don’t you stop by the embassy of Aundair in Dragon Towers? I am certain that we could find a way to alleviate your current difficulties.” He smiled.

“I thank you, Lord Alais. Perhaps I shall.”

Alais bowed and departed, and Lailin glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.

“I do not trust him, my lady,” said Pierce, who had continued to stand behind her chair throughout the conversation. His eyes followed the departing ambassador.

“Nor do I, Pierce.”

“You wouldn’t want a seat on the Arcane Congress, Lei?” Lailin said. “After our time in Arcanix, it might feel like home.”

“It’s a pretty offer. But who knows what the truth would be when I arrived in Aundair? It didn’t occur to me at first, but I suppose … I am an heir to the Mark of Making, with knowledge of the techniques of House Cannith. But I am no longer protected by my house. It wouldn’t surprise me if Lord Alais is dreaming about a new Aundarian bloodline carrying the Mark of Making-starting with me.”

“That seems a little far-fetched,” Lailin said. “If it was that simple, why hasn’t it happened before?”

“I didn’t say it was simple-or even that it was possible-just that it’s what I think the ambassador had in mind. People are rarely forced out of the house, and there is always the hope that you might be reinstated. My Uncle Jura was the only excoriate I’ve ever met, and I know he’s hoping to return to the family. So loyalty plays a role. More importantly … I don’t think the barons would allow it to happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that. If the house truly thought an excoriate could present a threat to the purity of the bloodline … I’ve certainly met a few purists who would do whatever they considered necessary to stop it-and that could go a long ways.”

“So your life is in danger, then?” Lailin asked.

“Not if I play by the rules. I’m sure Lord Alais would be happy to protect me-in exchange for my cooperation, of course. But … I still don’t know why I’ve been expelled or if there’s a chance for me to return. And for all that I’d like to smash the barons’ faces, I still believe in the ideals of my family. I’ll wait to see what happens.” She paused, thoughtfully. “Of course, I am sitting at a table with a gifted augur. Perhaps you’d care to give me some advice?”

Lailin rubbed his blue beard. “Well … I don’t have to be an augur to see financial ruin in my future if I start giving my friends free advice.”

“Oh, please,” she said playfully. “At least tell me if I should follow up on this business with Alais. If I become a wealthy lady of Arcanix, I promise to find a place for you there.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, very well.” He reached into a leather pouch and produced a set of flat blue stones. He spread them across the surface of the table. Each stone was a slightly different color, and they formed a mesmerizing mosaic. “So what will happen if you accept Alais’s invitation?”

He stared at the stones, drumming his fingers on the table and hummicwn method for seeing into the mists of time.

After a minute he stopped, looked over at her, and shook his head. “I think you’re right. I can’t tell if the threat comes from Aundair or your own house, but misfortune would certainly follow.”

“I guess we won’t be teaching together at Arcanix, then.”

“That’s all right. I still have my hopes set on Morgrave University. I can see myself teaching at some point in the future, though from the image I see in the stones, I need to lose a little weight first.”

Lei took another bite of the excellent deepscale trout “In that case, attending these parties can’t be helping your cause.”

“Too true. In any case, as long as I have the stones spread out, I may as well make use of them. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Well, actually … I’m looking for a friend of mine, a halfling named Jode. Can you tell me where to find him?”

Pierce spoke up from behind them. “Not to intrude, my lady, but if you have confidence in master Lailin’s talents, should we not ask about Rasial Tann?”

“Right, good thinking. We’re also looking for a man named Rasial Tann. For a friend.”

“Well,” Lailin said. “This is certainly a more complicated question. But let me see what I can do with it. Where are Jode and Rasial, and how can you find them?” He fixed his gaze on the stones and began tapping his fingers again. This time the process took longer, and near the end he closed his eyes for almost a minute.

Finally he stopped humming and tapping and took a deep breath. “It’s difficult to see,” he said. “But I think that your Jode and Rasial are actually together right now. And you will be reunited tonight.”

“Well, good for Jode,” Lei murmured. “I guess he had a good lead after all.”

“It would seem so,” Pierce said. “If this augury is to be trusted.”

“Pardon my companion, Lailin. He’s never had much faith in such things.”

“All is forgiven.” Lailin gathered up the stones. “Shall we see what Lyrandar has to offer in the way of dessert?”

Even as Lei rose, she noticed a group of people walking toward them. The man in the lead was dressed in martial style, four silver lightning bolts adorned his black leather jerkin, and a blue cloak draped his shoulders. His pure white hair and slightly pointed ears hinted at his half-elven blood. As new to Sharn as she was, it was a simple matter for Lei to guess who this was.

She curtsied gracefully as he approached. Pierce moved up to stand by her side. “Lord Dantian, I thank you for your hospitality.” Her words were carefully chosen. She didn’t like his demeanor, so reminding him that she was a guest seemed a wise move.

“You are Lei, formerly of House Cannith?” Dantian’s tone was cold, his blue-green eyes unreadable. “I have that honor.”

“I am afraid that I must ask you to leave my ship.”

Lei spotted Dasei d’Cannith across the room, and the situation became clear. “My lord, I am sorry to hear this. The hospitality of House Lyrandar is legendary. After my long journey, I had hoped to discover the truth to the legends. But”-she sighed-“I suppose that I have.”

Dantian stiffened but did not swerve from his course. “Your presence is causing discomfort to my other guests, and I am afraid that I must put the needs of the group above those of a single guest-especially one in such reduced circumstances.” He gestured, and two armed men in Lyrandar livery stepped forward. “My guards will escort you and your servant to the foredeck. Kadran will see to it that your belongings are returned and that you have transportation to …” He raised an eyebrow. “High Walls, I believe?”

A small crowd had gathered to observe the scene, and a chuckle ran through the masses at this.

“That’s very kind of you, Lord Dantian,” Lei replied. “It’s good to know that House Lyrandar drives its guests home when it drives them away.”

Lailin rose to join her, but Lei pushed him back down. “There’s no need for you to get involved in this,” she said quietly. “Thank you for the help. Pierce, let’s go.”

The guards led them up the stairs and out onto the main deck. The guests who had been talking beneath the rings had left, and the deck was deserted. Lei looked up at the rings of fire and clouds, and for a moment her thoughts were lost in the swirling steam.

“Look out!” Pierce’s voice tore her from her reverie.

The warning came in the nick of time, and she threw herself forward just as she felt the point of the blade touching her back. Spinning around, she saw Pierce facing the two guards who had drawn their blades.

The shorter guard was carrying two daggers. He was the one who’d tried to stab her and failed. He cursed. “Deal with the ‘forged! I’ll finish her.”

Pierce moved forward in a blur of motion. He grabbed the smaller man, pinning his arms with a grip of steel. But before he could crush the breath from his foe, the second guard stepped up. This man was tall and lanky. While he had a short-sword in his right hand, it was the left that he brought to bear, laying his palm on Pierce’s back. The warforged stiffened, let go of his victim, and staggered back a step or two, obviously in great pain. But he’d bought Lei a few moments, and she’d put them to good use. Both guards were wearing chainmail, and as they struggled with Pierce, she’d whispered to the metal of their armor and swords, recalling the heat of the shaping forge. Even as the man with the dagger turned to her, the links of his armor began to glow. He cried out in agony as the searing heat from his daggers raised blisters on his hands. Dropping the weapons, he tore at his armor, trying to tear free before his clothes caught fire.

The other guard had escaped the effects of the enchantment, but he had problems of his own. Pierce was back on his feet, and for all that he was unarmed, his fists were stone and steel. Even as the lanky man made a quick thrust at Pierce, the warforged knocked the blade aside and landed a powerful blow on his jaw. Blood spattered across the deck and the man staggered back.

Lei stepped up to join Pierce, ready to strike. But when their opponent rose to his feet, he turned away and raced for the railing. Pierce charged after him, but too late. The scrawny guard leaped the rail in a single bound and went tumbling over the edge.

Even as Pierce peered over the edge, more Lyrandar guardsmen were running toward them. Within seconds, a half-dozen swordsmen and a pair of crossbowmen had surrounded them.

“Don’t move!” the sergeant cried, his face livid.

Lei just stood, her hands facing out, as the chief servant came running from the foredeck. The smell of burned flesh filled the air. The dagger-wielding guard had succumbed to the terrible heat and was either unconscious or dead.

“What is going on?” the chief servant cried.

“You tell me,” Lei said coolly. “This man and his companion just tried to kill me. If that’s what you have planned for me, then let’s get it over quickly.”

The burned man was lying face down, and the chief servant turned the body over. Lei was surprised. His features were nothing like the man who had attacked her. The servant studied the corpse for a moment.

“Sergeant, do you know who this man is?”

“No. Never saw him before.”

The chief servant looked back at Lei, and his expression was grim. “You have the apologies of the house, my lady, and I assure you that we will look into this matter immediately.”

“If you’d like my assistance, I-”

“You and your servant are to leave immediately. A skycoach is waiting at the foredeck, along with your belongings.”

“But-”

“This is a matter for the house. You must leave. Now.” The guards raised their weapons again, ready to act if ordered. It was clear she had no friends here. “Very well.”

The coachman was an unusually dour gnome who had no interest in conversation. He stayed completely silent, keeping his hand on the tiller as they sailed down through the night air to the glittering spires below.

This gave Lei the time to focus on Pierce. Laying her hands on his armor, she reached within, tracing the magical web that gave him life. The web was damaged, and in places it had snapped entirely. Physically, Pierce seemed perfectly healthy, but to the eyes of an artificer, it was clear how close he had come to being destroyed. Drawing on the energy of her own spirit, Lei reinforced the threads, patching those that had been cut.

“I don’t like this,” she said. “Only another artificer could do this much damage. He resisted my heating charm, as well.”

“But he did turn to his sword after the first attack, my lady,” Pierce said. “Perhaps the power had been placed within him by another and he was only releasing what he’d been given to hold.”

“All we really know is that we know nothing. The man who came after me had a glamour concealing his features, so we can assume that Lord Dantian didn’t know about it. He wasn’t a changeling, though, and nothing about him indicated any sort of connection to our friends in High Walls. As for the other one … given my recent experiences with Daine, while it’s possible he chose death over facing you, I imagine he had a feather charm.”

“Could this have been arranged by a member of your own house, my lady? Your cousin Dasei-”

“Doesn’t have the skill or the courage to do this on her own. I don’t know. We need to be careful, Pierce.”

“High Walls, lady. The Manticore.” The gnome’s voice was a mixture of boredom and despair. He brought the coach to a stop just outside the inn, and they clambered out. The instant they had cleared the boat, he rose back into the air.

“Eager to be on his way, I guess,” Lei said.

“Pierce! Lei!”

It was Daine. He came running down the street toward them, and before they could respond, he wrapped Lei in a powerful embrace.

“Daine?” she said.

Instantly, he let go and took a step back. Even in the dim light, she could see the flush rising on his cheeks.

“Sorry,” he said. “It’s been … well, it’s been a strange few hours. Was that a skycoach? Where have you been?”

“That’s a long story,” she said.

“Then you can tell it inside. I don’t know about you, but I still haven’t had any sort of dinner. Let’s see what wonders Dassi has to offer.”

The common room of the Manticore was filled with the smell of the evening meal, and Lei thanked the sovereigns she’d been able to dine with the Lyrandars. Dassi was serving a thin stew with string meat that Lei guessed to be some sort of lizard-and none too fresh from the smell. Looking around the room, she saw no sign of Jode. But another tiny figure standing in a dark corner caught her eye.

“Rhazala?” said Daine, following Lei’s gaze.

“There you are,” the goblin girl said. “I thought I might have heards you wrong this morning when you said the place.” While it was difficult for her to avoid being adorable, her voice was level and grim. “You need to come with me. Now.”

“Why?” Obviously Daine had trouble placing his trust in a girl who’d picked his pocket just two days before.

“You must come and see.” Rhazala said. “It is about your friend. The little one.”

“What?” Lei broke in. “Where is he?”

“Come and see,” Rhazala said. She darted out the door of the inn and they followed.