The City of Towers

CHAPTER 37

Grazen ir’Tala was dressed for battle. In place of the green and black leather of the Sharn Watch, Grazen wore a beautiful chainmail shirt. The links were coated with black enamel, and it was so finely crafted that it made no sound as Grazen rose from his chair. If anything, the armor seemed to absorb the sounds of his movement. Grazen wore a belt of black leather, and like Daine, he was armed with a longsword and dagger. Beneath his armor, he wore a black silk doublet and breeches, with gloves and boots of dark leather. His flowing darkweave cloak was darkness given solid form. He was a vision of elegance in the squalid surroundings of the Manticore, but his hand was on the hilt of his sword, and Daine knew how quick and deadly that blade could be.

“Captain Grazen, what an unexpected surprise,” Daine said. “What brings you to our humble home so late? Or is it now considered early?”

Pierce still had his bow in his hands. If it came to it, Daine knew that Pierce could aim and loose an arrow before Grazen could close the distance between them. But he still wasn’t sure what to make of Grazen’s presence. Were they going to be arrested again?

Grazen looked at Pierce, obviously evaluating the threat posed by the warforged archer. Finally he sat down again. “Join me, won’t you?” he said, gesturing at a stool across the table. “I brought a skin of Iltrayan down with me, along with a good loaf of bread and a few strips of smoked tribex. I don’t imagine you’ve had many feasts in this charming little inn. As I recall, you always enjoyed a good Iltrayan.”

Daine studied Grazen carefully. Finally he turned to Pierce. “Why don’t you check on Lei? I can handle this.”

“As you wish.”

After Pierce had disappeared up the staircase, Daine pulled out the stool and sat down. Grazen produced another mug and placed a sack upon the table. As promised, it contained bread, cheese, and a skin of the finest wine Daine had tasted in five years. For a few minutes, Daine focused entirely on the food. He knew Grazen would get to the point sooner or later, and finally he did.

“I know what you’ve been doing, Daine.”

“Then you’re one step ahead of me.” Daine tore off another chunk of bread and looked at it. “Have you ever been to one of those gnome restaurants where all they serve is bread and water?” He placed a strip of smoked tribex on the bread and took a large bite, chewing thoughtfully.

Grazen watched him and said nothing.

“So tell me,” Daine said. “What have I been doing?”

“Working for Alina Lyrris.”

“What could ever drive me to do that?”

“That’s the question. After all your years of service to Cyre, are you going to become a mercenary now? My sword suits you better than I thought.”

Daine’s fingers tightened around his mug. “Watch your words, my friend.”

“And what sort of a friend would I be if I did? I offered you a job, Daine, a chance to work for the Watch. The pay might not be much, but it would be an honest living.”

“From what I’ve heard of Sharn, there’s little honest about the Watch.”

Now it was Grazen’s turn to scowl.

“Besides, I served Cyre. I spent the last six years fighting Brelanders. What could possibly bring me to risk my life defending them?”

“What could possibly bring you to work for Lyrris?”

“I asked you first.”

Grazen drained his mug and set it down. “Fine. Let me talk straight with you, Daine. Out of respect for the friendship we had in the past, if nothing else. Whatever Alina has you searching for. When you find it, I want you to bring it to me.”

“I don’t know what-”

“I’m willing to match whatever she’s paying you. I’ve come into quite a fortune through my marriage, and I can do it. Whatever it is. Whatever the price.”

“I don’t understand. Why would you be interested?”

“Because whatever it is she wants … I don’t want her to have it. Do you need a better reason?”

“Grazen, look. Even if I was working for Alina-”

“Don’t lie to me, Daine. You were never very good at it, and I hate to see you lying for her.”

Daine closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Fine. So I’m working for Alina. I made a deal, Grazen. I agreed to do a job. Are you asking me to break my word? I thought you believed in honoring commitments.”

“Does Alina?”

“I’ve never known her to go back on her word. But I’ve certainly seen what she does to those who betray her.”

“Daine, you’re on the wrong side here.”

“And you’re on the right side?”

“I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m just trying to offer you a way out.”

Daine pondered this for a moment. “Do you remember my friend Jode?”

“The halfling?”

“Yes.” He looked straight into Grazen’s eyes. “He’s dead. I think he was killed by Alina’s enemies. Tell me. Do you think the Sharn Watch would hunt down the killers of a halfling refugee murdered beneath the city?”

For a moment, Grazen met his gaze, then he looked away.

“No.”

“I’m not doing this for Alina. I’ve lost my homeland. I’ve lost the war. Now I’ve lost my best friend. I may be about to lose my life. But I’m not going to lose my honor. I made a promise, and I’ll see it through.”

Grazen stood up. “Very well. But consider my offer-and think about what your promise might cost you. You don’t want me as an enemy, Daine.”

“You’re right. I don’t.”

“Then I hope you’ll make the right decision.”

“We’ll see.”

Grazen slowly walked towards the door. “You can keep the rest of the wine. For old times’ sake.”

Daine nodded, and Grazen stepped out into the dark streets of High Walls. Daine poured another mug of Iltryan wine and sat in the shadows of the empty room, thinking about Jode and the promises he’d made.

But eventually, the wineskin was empty. Picking up the sack of food, Daine walked upstairs to the waiting arms of sleep.