[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
our
ranks. They will do themselves, us, and our cause ill.
"I hope only that whether you walk with us or no, or join and then leave us
thereafter, that you walk always together, and take joy in each other's
company.
It is through such love or longing, when in lack of it that much learning
and
Page 199
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
celebration comes about. It adds to the culture that we strive to save and
nurture. More than that, whether you be Harpers or not, I would be your
friend."
Shandril and Narm looked at each other, and then at the bard, and spoke
together. "We would be Harpers."
"If you will have us," Shandril added awkwardly. Storm looked at them both
with
a smile and then stepped forward and gathered them into her arms.
" 'If you will have us,' " she repeated softly. "We would be proud and
pleased
to have you. You, Shandril and Narm, not your art and your spellfire. You
need
not stay here indeed, I agree with Elminster, for we have spoken of this. You
should not stay here. You should walk far and see much, and grow in your own
counsel and powers. As you go, if you work against evil, you will be Harpers,
whether you bear our badge or no. Fight not always with blade or spell. The
slower ways are the surer aid freely given, and friendships and trust built.
These evil cannot abide. It shrinks away from what it cannot destroy with
fire
and blade."
"Where then should we go?" Narm asked, as they stood together there in the
wood
in each other's arms. They leaned together, and all three took comfort from
the
embrace. Storm spoke softly, words almost hidden among the sounds of the
water.
"Go you by way of Thunder Gap. Watch for Dragon cult
" *
agents. They are thick in Sembia, and there is one in Highmoon. His name is
Korvan " Shandril stiffened. "Go to Silverymoon itself. Seek out Alustriel,
High
Lady of that city, and say that you come from her sister Storm and would be
Harpers.
"With Alustriel, too, is a good place to be if you intend to have a child by
then." The bard looked meaningfully at Shandril, who blushed. "Well, you're
not
quite the first couple to make that mistake." She looked at Narm. "If your
lady
feels too sick to eat," she said, "feed her lots of stew. In the evenings,
she'll feel more like dining."
Narm looked at her. "Pray, lady, let me get used to discovering I'm going to
be
a father, first," he said plaintively. Storm chuckled again.
"Think well, both of you, on the names your offspring must carry through life.
I
was born in a storm, and was named because I came out of it. It is an
ear-catching name, I'm told, but I fought many larger and stronger lads and
lasses when I was small because of it." She freed herself from them and undid
her robe.
After a startled look, Narm politely turned his back. Unconcerned, the bard
drew
on her clothes. Shandril saw that her arms, back, and flanks were covered
with
faint white, twisting sword-scars. She looked up at Shandril's wondering eyes
and winked. "I've walked many roads. Some roads leave little maps." She
traced
one scar with a long finger and tied her halter,
"You can turn about, Narm," Storm said dryly. "I'll soon grow tired of
talking
Page 200
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
to your shoulders." Narm obediently turned about, grinning. "Now," Storm
continued, "I'll tell you a few things about the journey ahead of you. First:
trail marks. You'll see a few runes scratched or burned on rocks, trees, or
in
the dirt as you go." Storm picked up a stick and then shrugged. "Nay ... I'll
draw them for you in the house. It is Elminster's way to expect one to
remember
half a hundred things in a morning; I'll not do that. I will tell you the
names
of Harper agents along your way. Look to them for aid if you need it.
"These, too, I'll write for you, on a bandage. I'll need you to prick your
finger and bleed on it afterwards. It must look
well-stained and disgusting if you don't want it to be looked at too closely,
if
someone searches or robs you. But these I'll tell you about, in case you get
separated, or lose your list. If you lose the list of runes, stay clear of
all
such that you see. "First, in Cormyr..."
After a long time, Storm rose, belted her horn at her waist, and led them
back
up the path to her back door.
"What if someone by art, I mean heard all this?" Nairn asked, looking at the
trees all around. Storm shook her head.
"I have art of my own to cloak this little, hidden place. Manshoon himself
could
not hear us unless he sat with us." She went in and set the men-at-arms to
cutting cheese and apples for all, while she prepared the bandages.
Storm vanished up a stair half-hidden in the shadows of the old stone
kitchen,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]