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Authors: Steven E. Schend
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and had very tiny and subtle carvings on the staff she could barely see.
Khelben opened the wardrobe door and said in a low voice, “I can access most every closet in my tower, depending on how I open this wardrobe, and we’ll need a few things for our night’s travels.” He pulled out two cloaks, one of which he handed back to her, and she felt the telltale shiver of magic in its weave. “Illusion cloaks of a very old design, very handy for not being followed. A different illusion envelops you for each viewer or even when someone loses track of you. Easiest way across the city that doesn’t involve teleporting.”
He rummaged through a small chest, pulled out another drawer, and slammed it in frustration. He whispered something, as if having a brief conversation, then slammed the wardrobe shut. He turned and motioned for her to don the cloak as he did his.
Laeral came into view moments later, magically descending the stairs of the tower from somewhere else. “Honestly, my love. Betimes you’ve the patience of a quickling. Here are your things, and let it be known that
someone
left them in his workshop rather than their intended locations, which is why
someone
can hardly snipe at his lady wife over the matter.” She handed one ring to Tsarra and placed two others in Khelben’s hand. She also looped a small necklace over his head, holding it a moment and looking in his eyes. Tsarra thought she looked worried as she whispered something to Khelben, and she pressed close and embraced him.
Khelben stiffened, and Tsarra knew he disliked such displays in front of students.
“Tsarra, put the ring on and do what you can to keep him from trouble, dear.” Laeral smiled then gave Khelben one last kiss. “Be sure not to keep your aide here in the dark, as she’s as much invested in this adventure as you are, my love.”
Tsarra did as she was bade, placing the silver ring on her left index finger. It had three bands intertwined around a dull green stone. She noticed that the two rings Khelben donned were entirely different. “In that light, will either of you tell me what this ring does?” Tsarra asked.
The sigh from within Khelben’s hood spoke volumes.
“Why can’t you discern such just from the item’s construction, apprentice? It’s to protect you from any more errant lightning bolts. Now, we must be off. Do like this, and the cloak’s magic does the rest.”
He snapped the cloak around his shoulders and suddenly looked like an average Waterdhavian merchant in a dull wool cape rather than the city’s preeminent archwizard.
Tsarra pulled the cloak around her and while she couldn’t see what her overall appearance was, her leather armor and the bulge of her back-slung quiver were gone and replaced with elaborate mage’s robes.
“How will we recognize each other?” she asked.
When Khelben grunted, Laeral rested one hand on his shoulder. “Peace, dearest. An honest question deserves more than impatience. Look at Khelben’s cloak clasp, Tsarra—that will remain in some way, no matter what guise the cloak throws on him.” The Lady of Blackstaff Tower stepped toward the door and opened it, allowing in a moist draft of chilled autumn air. “Safe journey, you two, and call if you need us.”
CHAPTER FIVE
28 Uktar, the Year of Lightning Storms
(1374 DR)
T he pair stepped out into the night, and Tsarra noticed the courtyard looked normal despite the damage from earlier.
The tower repairs itself, as does the wall and gate, and Laeral helped it along
.
Tsarra shook her head and whispered at Khelben, “Why didn’t you just say that? That makes my head ache.”
“Because I didn’t wish to be overheard by anyone,” he whispered in reply. “The Tower exposed too many secrets today, even if no one managed to profit from that breach. I’ll not suffer another such exposure for the next century.”
Tsarra nodded but replied, “Do you realize you speak differently when you’re outside the tower?
Khelben opened the wardrobe door and said in a low voice, “I can access most every closet in my tower, depending on how I open this wardrobe, and we’ll need a few things for our night’s travels.” He pulled out two cloaks, one of which he handed back to her, and she felt the telltale shiver of magic in its weave. “Illusion cloaks of a very old design, very handy for not being followed. A different illusion envelops you for each viewer or even when someone loses track of you. Easiest way across the city that doesn’t involve teleporting.”
He rummaged through a small chest, pulled out another drawer, and slammed it in frustration. He whispered something, as if having a brief conversation, then slammed the wardrobe shut. He turned and motioned for her to don the cloak as he did his.
Laeral came into view moments later, magically descending the stairs of the tower from somewhere else. “Honestly, my love. Betimes you’ve the patience of a quickling. Here are your things, and let it be known that
someone
left them in his workshop rather than their intended locations, which is why
someone
can hardly snipe at his lady wife over the matter.” She handed one ring to Tsarra and placed two others in Khelben’s hand. She also looped a small necklace over his head, holding it a moment and looking in his eyes. Tsarra thought she looked worried as she whispered something to Khelben, and she pressed close and embraced him.
Khelben stiffened, and Tsarra knew he disliked such displays in front of students.
“Tsarra, put the ring on and do what you can to keep him from trouble, dear.” Laeral smiled then gave Khelben one last kiss. “Be sure not to keep your aide here in the dark, as she’s as much invested in this adventure as you are, my love.”
Tsarra did as she was bade, placing the silver ring on her left index finger. It had three bands intertwined around a dull green stone. She noticed that the two rings Khelben donned were entirely different. “In that light, will either of you tell me what this ring does?” Tsarra asked.
The sigh from within Khelben’s hood spoke volumes.
“Why can’t you discern such just from the item’s construction, apprentice? It’s to protect you from any more errant lightning bolts. Now, we must be off. Do like this, and the cloak’s magic does the rest.”
He snapped the cloak around his shoulders and suddenly looked like an average Waterdhavian merchant in a dull wool cape rather than the city’s preeminent archwizard.
Tsarra pulled the cloak around her and while she couldn’t see what her overall appearance was, her leather armor and the bulge of her back-slung quiver were gone and replaced with elaborate mage’s robes.
“How will we recognize each other?” she asked.
When Khelben grunted, Laeral rested one hand on his shoulder. “Peace, dearest. An honest question deserves more than impatience. Look at Khelben’s cloak clasp, Tsarra—that will remain in some way, no matter what guise the cloak throws on him.” The Lady of Blackstaff Tower stepped toward the door and opened it, allowing in a moist draft of chilled autumn air. “Safe journey, you two, and call if you need us.”
CHAPTER FIVE
28 Uktar, the Year of Lightning Storms
(1374 DR)
T he pair stepped out into the night, and Tsarra noticed the courtyard looked normal despite the damage from earlier.
The tower repairs itself, as does the wall and gate, and Laeral helped it along
.
Tsarra shook her head and whispered at Khelben, “Why didn’t you just say that? That makes my head ache.”
“Because I didn’t wish to be overheard by anyone,” he whispered in reply. “The Tower exposed too many secrets today, even if no one managed to profit from that breach. I’ll not suffer another such exposure for the next century.”
Tsarra nodded but replied, “Do you realize you speak differently when you’re outside the tower?
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