Read Online The Tomb of Horrors by Undead), Keith Francis Strohm - (ebook by Flandrel - Free Book Online Page A

reflexive disdain. Noble, he thought. No doubt slumming the Poor Quarter,
looking for some lowborn excitement before she returned to the trying world of
servants and sumptuous meals. It wasn’t that uncommon. He just wished it had
happened on someone else’s watch.
    He turned to face the source of the voice, hoping that his
face disguised the frustration he was feeling, and caught his breath. Before him
stood one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She smiled gracefully,
throwing exquisite features into stunning relief, and all at once he felt an
ungainly fool. It wasn’t until he gazed at the gold ring and matching medallion,
etched with the long-antlered stag, symbol of House Damar, that he realized just
how complicated his evening had become.
    “Milady, I was simply going to interrogate the prisoner,” he
responded, looking back at the hulking drunk.
    “Well,” the noble said, ice creeping into her voice, “I would
hardly call a friend of the daughter of the Duke of Flinthill a prisoner now—”
she paused “—would I?”
    Terys swallowed hard. This wasn’t going well at all.
“Milady,” he managed to force out the words, “other witnesses name this man the
cause of the evening’s… brutalities. I do have my orders. He must be
detained and questioned.”
    “Nonsense,” she exclaimed. “You will release him at once, and
I will take full responsibility for his actions. I’ve already paid the innkeeper —” she spoke the word with such disgust that it was clear to him
what she truly thought of this establishment—“for any damages that may have
resulted from tonight’s mishap. I’m sure you’ll agree that everything is taken
care of.”
    “B-but my orders…” Terys stammered. “Surely you understand
that I have to follow procedure on this.”
    “Now, Captain,” she said, drawing closer, and he could feel
his face flushing red at their proximity, “I would hate to have to tell the city
commander that I had difficulty with one of his captains the next time I see him
at dinner.”
    The threat was as real as it was politely delivered, and
Terys found himself backed into a corner. Enforcing the law was his duty, but
the labyrinthine complexity of Nyrondese politics was not unknown to him. The
city commander would not appreciate the daughter of one of the major noble
houses of the realm criticizing his troops. On the other hand, a favor delivered
now might cause this Damarian daughter to smile upon the commander’s efforts,
something he would surely reward the one who dispensed the original favor.
    “Well, Milady. If you are taking responsibility for this . .
. gentleman, then who am I to gainsay you? I will release him,” he replied, and
ordered one of his subordinates to loosen the man’s bonds.
    And may you both be damned, he thought.
    “Thank you, Captain. I’m glad that we could come to such an
understanding.” She smiled again, the graceful upturn of her lips belying the
condescension that Terys could hear dripping from each word.
    Bitch, he thought as he turned to go.
    “Oh, and captain, one more thing,” the lady said, “next time
we meet, please feel free to address me as Lady Majandra.” With a toss of her
fire-red hair, she put a slim-fingered hand on her companion’s shoulders and
guided him out of the tavern.
     
    * * *
     
    “Why did you help me?” Kaerion asked. His deep voice still
slurred, though Majandra couldn’t tell if that was from the ale he’d consumed or
the cracked and swelling lip that still bled.
    She thought of her answer as they weaved their way through
the narrow, angled streets of the Rich Quarter. After their exit from the Men
O’Steel tavern, the bard had quickly started to guide them back to the suite at
the Platinum Shield. They had made most of the trip in silence, their quiet
journey broken by the whistling of Kaerion’s nose as he drew breath through his
nostrils. It was only after they had entered this section of